Got a whiskey wooden paddle for my birthday and been using it for about a month thought i do a review for anyone thinking of buying one.
Usually use a carbon naish paddle which is great. The Whiskey is a little heavy than the carbon but is more balanced. Big difference in feel is the whiskey feels 'softer& smoother' to use. Cannot described it any other way but when using both paddles back to back the carbon feels snappy and sharp.
But the big thing for me is the the swing weight of the whiskey paddle. It makes me balance better and hand changes are far more rapid. I think its like a tight rope walker using a long balance bar. With the added weight and balance of the paddle it swings from hand to hand quick and predictably and i use it far more to just balance myself.
My whiskey paddle is designed for waves and is really robust so far. Used it to jam against the reef today before i hit the beach in the shore dump. No damage to paddle.
For long distance paddling i would probably use the carbon as it lighter and longer. but really recommend a whiskey paddle to anyone. They look lovely and have been an improvement to my surfing.
What WhiskyJack paddle do you have and where did you get it.. and how does the price compare with other paddles out there?
I'm guessing you're comparing it to the older Naish carbon paddle because the new ones with the skinny shaft are very soft and flexy.
They are beautiful paddles for sure and something I'd want to hang on the wall.. 
I like the look of the WhiskyJane blade and handle shape.. See pic.. and I'd love to try the Deuce.. See second pic.
DJ
Got a bootlegger 78". My wife got for my birthday from over east. She was chasing all over the world looking for one but due to the length its expensive to post from US or UK. The guy over east is looking to become a dealer but is not setup yet and was from his personnel shipment. I'm not allowed to know the price sorry..wife's orders. I'm guessing the prices are pretty even with the Naish and knowing my wife she is pretty good at haggling deals.
My Naish is a 2011 and is a lovely paddle but compared to the wood there is a difference in feel to softness and for me the swing weight of the whiskey means i'm picking the wood to use for surfing.
I was not looking to change the Naish paddle but my wife fell in love with the whiskey paddle and wanted to get it for me.
My mate now wants one and is having family bring one over from UK dealer when they visit.
One problem with whiskey paddle is handle is tight in paddle bags as its a touch wider than typical carbon paddle handles.
These paddles look awesome but they seem to have a very flat blade face, do they cavitate much?
Not sure about paddle cavitation but coming from windsurfing cavitation is when air gets trapped on the fin and the fin loses grip. Now I have the wave whiskey paddle version and use it in waves where there is a hell of a lot of air bubbles in the white water. I always seem to be able to paddle forward when i need to.. so no i would say no lose of grip is encountered.
do you really worry about cavitation on paddles for waves??? I cannot see this being major concern useless you are flat water racing and going bloody fast.
a friend of that paddles too and is very handy with wood made for me and my girlfriend a woodie:
I have 2 Kialoa,s Shaka-Pu paddles but when its windy or choppy the wood I prever his one.
Wood is heavier but ads so much comfort, I can recommend getting a wooden paddle who paddles in less perfect conditions
"IS THAT A DOUBLE BEND SUP PADDLE!???"...I want 1!!!...IMO a double bend wud be great for downwinder's...I'm not a fan of them in outrigging for long distance in seat 1. Coz you have the bulk head to contend with when changing side's...But!...They are a comfortable paddle to use and create less stress on your joint's and forearm's, due to the bend in relation to the start of your power stroke(imo)....Holla back if it's available please DJ.
