Value Rating: 9 Durability Rating: 8 Overall Rating: 9 Location of Test: Class IV and V creeks OR and WA Duration: 3 weeks Product Name: Odachi Product Brand: Werner Best Use: Whitewater racing Sizes Available/ Specs: Custom lengths available via special order standard Werner paddle sizing The Full Review: The Odachi is a weapon on the water. The larger blade size in comparison to the stalwart sherpa, powerhouse, and shogun is considerable. You can tell the design features were inspired by slalom paddles. With considerable input from the extreme racing scene though the Odachi takes some key points from the whitewater quiver. A foam cored blade allows for quick resurface and decreased weight. The edging on that blade is similar to the shogun and does not chip quickly, even in steep creeking applications. A full carbon shaft keeps the weight down further and makes for one of the lightest carbon paddles I've had the pleasure of using to date. The increased cant of the blade gives you that extra oomph when paddling and taking critical boof strokes. As an everyday paddle the Odachi has a bit of a learning curve. It excels in vertical to near vertical paddle strokes. This is where you feel the most power from the paddle. Sweep strokes or low angle strokes will respond with less power, but the surface area still gives you more power than an average paddle. The paddle really wants you to control your downstream progress with good form. It's built for racing and shows that in its responsiveness.. Low bracing is a breeze with the forward set shaft and inversely high bracing has a bit of lag. Rolling is a breeze once you feel out the building positioning as it relates o your roll. The Good: Light Increased reach due to forward set blades Increased blade surface area The Bad: Not an every day paddle unless you have, or are creating, perfect form (ie vertical/near vertical strokes all the time) The Bottom Line: An awesome paddle. I'm excited to use it during the upcoming race season. Lean forward and paddle hard!