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I ordered one when Sierra Trading post had them up for dirt cheap, and I have to say on initial inspection that it seems a top notch paddle. A friend of mine had one several years back and beat the crap out of it and it held up great.
I haven't used mine yet, as I got a couple weeks ago and its still freezing here, but it seems to be well made. It uses a bit more unconventional way of making the bend in the shaft, in that the shaft is actually 3 pieces glued together. A middle section that has to molded grip sections inserted into, which in turn attach to the blades. I think the middle section is made of graphite, but I can't tell what the grips are made of since they are covered in rubbery like material.
The blades are titanium reinforced carbon fiber and should be pretty strong. The paddle is slightly heavier then my Waterstick, but its longer and I am guessing quite a bit more burly. I'm planning on using it primarily as a creeking and river running paddle, and using the Waterstick (191cm 12 degree offset, compared to the 196cm 45degree offset of the Rough Stuff). I'm a bit concerned about the glue that holds the bits together, but I won't be able to tell anything about it till I get some use out of it. I imagine they use epoxy and that it will hold just fine. Everyone I have talked to who has used one of these paddles has liked it and stuck with it. I think it will make a great creeker paddle and look forward to getting out on the water with it.
JH
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