Adventure Canoe Forum » Topic: Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review

Adventure Canoe Forum » Topic: Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review Canoe Camping & River Tripping Discussion en-US Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:22:49 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/search.php Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1188 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:16:53 +0000 Dennis 1188@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ Good luck with that… Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that when your crazy paddle got near an electrical transformer by the park entrance, it started humming and vibrating. The next thing I knew, it flew into the air and made a couple of low passes before it completed a series of crazy ninety degree turns and then climbed straight up into the clear, cloudless sky where it vanished. I think that paddle really does have advanced stealth technology. I managed to get a couple of photos of it flying around before it disappeared out of sight, just so no one would think I had decided to keep it for myself. I posted a photo of it doing a fly-by because I knew it would be hard for anyone to believe that it actually happened.   Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1186 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:50:06 +0000 James 1186@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ Looks like its supposed to be 70 this Saturday...I may make the drive down south if I feel any better. If Cate and I do decide to come down I'll make sure to get the paddle back from my dad. Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1181 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:46:42 +0000 Lee Harmon 1181@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ James, if you ever get it back from Dennis, I'm looking forward to giving it a test run! Oh, Dennis, your CDs are in the mail (no, really, they are)! Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1178 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:36:07 +0000 natecanoes 1178@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ I am almost positive I saw that paddle at the local sporting goods store about a week ago Ozark. Werner, glass blade, carbon shaft? I will check it out on Sunday when I am back in town. Been there for over a year - I almost bought it last winter. Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1167 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:24:57 +0000 ozarkpaddler 1167@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ I miss my 'glass Werner Bandit with the amber blade. A few ounces more than yours, but excellent paddle when you needed a paddle with some "Bite" to maneuver in tricky water. Banged mine around for 3 years and sold it to a friend last year. Wouldn't have sold it, but I got it as a bargain since it was long (62"). I cut the shaft to about 58" and never had a problem with re-fitting the handle. Mine was a wooden grip, which they don't make any longer. Problem was, as I got used to using shorter paddles, that paddle was too long and I was afraid to cut it a second time. A friend who's 6'4" now owns it, and I am longing for another! Can't find a pic of the whole paddle, but here's a partial pic of it. TW <img style="vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://www.pbase.com/ozarkpaddler/image/102882318.jpg" alt="" /> Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1164 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:42:00 +0000 Dennis 1164@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/   <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/4098973868_d1b7d788f9.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" />   I was going to the lake this afternoon to take advantage of the Indian Summer conditions that everyone else has been enjoying over the week end while I was working. I called James for some reason I can’t really recall and he mentioned that he was right around the corner at a meeting. He helped me load my kayak on the car and as an afterthought told me to take an extra paddle for a test run. I usually use a double bladed paddle to move my kayak around but James gave me a Werner Bandit Carbon Canoe Paddle to try instead. No problem, I’m not fussy about how to paddle as long as I get to paddle. My first impression was that if this thing is half as strong as it looks; then this would be my tool of preference for removing large boulders or fallen logs from the legs of some hapless victim caught in a rock slide or the wake of a breached dam. There was absolutely no vibration or fluttering when applying hard power strokes to this paddle. It is as solid as it can get and really seems to get a firm bite on the water with it's slightly spooned blade. There are no flaws in the finish either but it does seem to look more menacing than pretty. I began to wonder if it comes in a matte black commando version for night assaults. I swear that the rowing team practicing over at the lake steered wide when they saw me coming at them with this thing in my hands. If someone told me that the Bandit was reversed engineered from an alien spacecraft, I would not have argued the point. It does look as though it may be the product of some sort of stealth technology. In fact, the only thing that may be wrong with this paddle is how hard it could be to find it again if you should ever dump your canoe in a rapid and get separated from it. I think the planned military version may include a built-in homing device. Ooops, I think i may have said too much...  Time will tell but this paddle looks tough enough to go the distance and then turn around and go the distance again in the opposite direction just for the fun of it. I have a Werner double bladed kayak paddle that is almost as long in the tooth as I am and it has never even occurred to me that it would or could let me down. The Warner paddles inspire confidence and the Bandit is no exception.  I can imagine a scene where two old outdoorsmen are stepping over the dead carcass of an unfortunate paddler when one of them turns to the other and says, "Hey what kind of paddle was that anyway?" "It's a Werner Bandit, what else could have survived that?"   It may be a while before I give it back but don't worry, I won't break it.   <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/4098256557_2e8229e50f.jpg" alt="" width="333" height="500" /> Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1059 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:14:46 +0000 James 1059@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ Lee- I don't have the <a title="Dri-Ki Paddle Review" href="http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/dri-ki-otter-tail-paddle" target="_self">Dri-Ki</a>...someone else reviewed that one. I will bring all the sticks I have though. -James Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1051 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:19:17 +0000 Lee Harmon 1051@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ James, I'll bring your pretty wooden paddle to the Meramec, you bring that wicked Werner. I tried to get Bear to let me try his, but you beat me to it. Nate had his carbon version on the Saint Sunday but I was in my kayak so didn't get to even try it! We had a good run. Give me a call, I'll fill you in. I may try out for the Olympic team (swim team that is)! I was looking at paddles tonight because I plan to p/u the Dagger Impulse this week, and "Adventure Canoe" surfaced in my search! Can you bring other paddles from your quiver when we hit the water soon? I like that one you reviewed from Maine a lot! Later, Lee   Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1038 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:10:20 +0000 Dennis 1038@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ I'm off of work tomorrow if you want to go to the lake in the afternoon. Sunset at 4:58 ? What? Hmmm. I might have to go for a paddle at lunch time instead.   Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1037 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:34:47 +0000 James 1037@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ How's this? I took the boat down to the riverfront thinking I'd go for a paddle on Lenore K Sullivan Drive...daylight savings time made it dark and it looked a little sketchy. <img src="http://www.adventurecanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Werner-Bandit-Paddle-4.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="800" /> <img src="http://www.adventurecanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Werner-Bandit-Paddle-3.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /> <img src="http://www.adventurecanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Werner-Bandit-Paddle-1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="800" /> Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1034 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:47:29 +0000 Dennis 1034@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ With all that talk about the grip I really expected to see a photograph of that in addition to the one of the blade. As a matter of fact what I would really like to see are some shots from the test tank with about a half-dozen scented candles and some rose petals scattered about for good measure and to provide a sense of scale and motion. Nothing shows up a wicked cavitation better than loose rose petals. Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1030 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:16:05 +0000 natecanoes 1030@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ From their website, I am guessing this is intended as a whitewater paddle. The shape kind of looks like it is. Price isn't too bad at $190. It's something most people can buy I think. I love my ZRE, but man are they spendy. If only Werner had a $190 12 degree bent touring paddle in carbon........ Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle Review http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/werner-bandit-carbon-paddle-review#post-1026 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:18:55 +0000 James 1026@http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/ <a href="http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=W70" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.adventurecanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Bandit_Carbon.jpg" alt="Werner Bandit Carbon Paddle" width="800" height="471" /></a> I got home the other day and found a tall skinny box propped up next to my door. I was a bit confused at first because the box was only 5x5” and about 60” tall. It didn’t look like a paddle would fit. The shipping label read Werner and I realized that a 20mm (7.87 inches) wide paddle blade would indeed fit diagonally in the box. I took it inside and started to open it when <a href="http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/tilley-ozark-dixson-i-got-a-australian-shepherd-puppy-for-my-birthday" target="_self">Tilley</a> started whining for her evening walk. I considered bringing it with me but most of my downtown neighbors had seen me setting up the MSR Outfitter wing a week before so I didn’t want to do anything else to perpetuate the notion that I am crazy. After <a href="http://www.adventurecanoe.com/forum/topic/tilley-ozark-dixson-i-got-a-australian-shepherd-puppy-for-my-birthday" target="_self">Tilley</a> had her walk I opened the box and got out my new Werner Bandit Paddle. This is the first part of a multipart review. I promise I will paddle with it and give it a proper on water review later this week. My initial impressions are that this is a serious paddle for serious canoeists. It’s black carbon fiber shaft and blade remind me a bit of a stealth bomber. In the hand it feels less like a tool for propelling a canoe and more like a weapon for attacking water. The Bandit would have been the perfect addition to a canoe ninja Halloween costume. A few weeks ago I wanted to see if my wetsuit still fit so I put it on. After checking my chubby chest in the bathroom mirror I decided to hop in the bath tub with the wetsuit to see how it felt in cold water. My wife came home and started laughing at me. Remembering this, I looked down at my watch and realized I had about a half hour before she got home. I filled up the bath tub to see how the spooned power face would feel in the water. I turned on the Jacuzzi jets for good measure. The Werner Bandit moves a lot of water in a bath tub. The spooned face and squared tip delivers an instant and powerful catch. As I planted the paddle and unwound my stroke I could feel it pulling me forward before the water in the tub gave way and sloshed over the sides. While the angle isn’t as extreme as a bent shaft paddle I could feel it hooking up throughout the length of the stroke. The carbon shaft doesn’t flex as much my wooded Bending Branches Expedition Plus but it didn’t feel as harsh as fiberglass or aluminum either. The carbon fiber provides a soft dampened feel that is both responsive and comfortable. If you’ve ridden an aluminum and carbon fiber road bike you probably know the feeling. I’ve read a couple of complaints about the T grip. When looking at the rest of the paddle it does seem sort of thrown on as an afterthought. It’s a little larger than I would like and if it were wooden could be carved and sanded down to fit ones personal preference. That said, it’s comfortable in the hand and provides plenty of leverage to control the had edged paddle blade. Although it is beautiful, the Werner Bandit is not an art piece paddle used for gliding a cedar strip canoe across a pristine mountain lake. When you’re trying to catch that last eddy before the next class V drop or trying to stick your roll in some wicked hydraulics you’ll appreciate the leverage and obvious feel provided by the big plastic T grip. The paddle shaft is also oval shaped and indexed to indicate the angle of the blade. I’ve always used the T grip to control blade angle in a canoe but the oval shaft feels good in the hand and is another cue to your brain to the direction of the paddle. If you’re really hung up about the T grip order one a size larger and cut it off or ask Werner to send you one without a grip glued in. After playing with the paddle a bit I’m starting the think the grip on my old paddle is to small. OK, before I get to far into this and you guys all discount this review because I was paddling my bath tub I will admit that I ordered one of these because I got to try both the carbon fiber and fiberglass Bandit paddles at the ACA instructor course last week. I wasn’t able to trick anyone into letting me run down river with their precious paddles but I did a couple of ferries, eddy turns and peel outs with one in hand. I liked it enough to order one. The Werner Bandit has an excellent catch and the spooned blade really moves the boat through the power phase of a stroke. I was a bit worried about reverse sweeps, pries and other strokes where the non-powerface was pushing water but there was only minimal flutter when it was used backwards and next to none when using the correct side.   I really like the Werner Bandit paddle and I’ll continue the review after I’ve moved the canoe a couple of river miles with it. You can check the specs and buy one on Werner's newly designed and super cool site. <a title="Buy a Werner Bandit Paddle" href="http://www.wernerpaddles.com/paddles/canoe_&_raft/performance/bandit_carbon/" target="_blank">http://www.WernerPaddles.com</a>