Thanks, Gents. Good stuff!

I've had frequent comments from both felonius and non felonius fellow fisher folk friends frequenting both the Sawyers and Cataracts, but more run Cataracts than Sawyers. I have no preference at this point personally.

My vintage Sawyers work fine but are heavy after a day and need more blade depth for bite when needed, holding in tails for instance. I don't like to work that hard. Not to complain, but I have some upper extremity issues and weight and leverage is everything for me.

Personally, I don't like oar rights but see why some like them, for example, the value for consistent location.

I would actually prefer a triangular tapered or oval handle to give tactile indexing and to fit the hand. No question where "up" is. No need to look. Maybe Sawyer or Cataract or Carlisle will contract with me. Prolly not.

The counter balanced I have zero experience with. Sounds like a good idea but does it add weight that you feel? Does it help?

Hey, I can't even remember if my oars are 9' or 9' 6," guess I'll have to pull the tape when I get the boat into "Foggy's Garage."

Thanks,