How to cut my blades smaller?

I have an old paddle that I want to experiment with - I want to give it smaller blades...

Blades are standard fibreglass construction as far as I can tell.

Can I just take a hacksaw and cut away at it? (after mapping out exactly where to cut, that is...)

Or do I need a unique set of tools for cutting into fibreglass?

I haven't done fiberglass but I've done a few carbon fiber and they were actually very easy to do with first a bench grinder, then a dremel, finishing off with a hand held grindstone for sharpening tools. Use a fine stone on the bench grinder and feel your way into it, its easier than it might first appear. Where a mask or something over your face, I since found out its dangerous not to do so . At least I did mine outside with the wind at my back, as it should always be right?

No problem to cut fiberglass, it is also very safe as the particle size is not small enough to ingest into the lungs plus it is inert, it is an irritant though to put it mildly!
The problem you will have cutting blades down is the core that they were made with, cheaper paddles use cheaper core materials. If you cut into the core the blade might just become a sponge and de-laminate.

All good suggestions, or you could sand them down by using the road or driveway as a grinder. Done this many times.
You can manoeuvre the paddle up and down to get the right curve. Works great!
Then when you're happy, just grab some fine sand paper, or a really smooth road, haha, to finish it off smoothly. Nah, sandpaper is best and I've only done this with carbon blades though.
Best thing is, you can do it right when you test it in the water. There are roads everywhere!

gbowds, would concrete work just as well? would you recommend exposed aggregate for initial shaping, then finish off on a broom or float finished slab?

Marble tiles followed by gentle limestone slab application (without shells in it) works best for the finishing touches

And keep the Epic web site address handy to order replacement blades in the right size

What is this "core" material you speak of?

JK - no need to replace any blades on this paddle if anything goes "wrong" - its an otherwise useless paddle with little resale if any.

Thanks for the tips - anyone in Cape Town will see me at the beach rubbing the blade on tar, concrete and a bit of porcelain tile in the change rooms.

Alternatively I'll try go with the hacksaw approach.

Ric wrote: What is this "core" material you speak of?

Thanks, sAsLEX.

I was hoping this ( ) would show I was just kidding (or "JK")...

I doubt this old paddle has much of a core (neither does its owner...).

Ric wrote: Thanks, sAsLEX.

I was hoping this ( ) would show I was just kidding (or "JK")...

I doubt this old paddle has much of a core (neither does its owner...).

Someone would have been wondering.....