03 Sep Upside Down Paw – When a Badger is not a Badger
About Badger Paddle Blems

Nature isn’t perfect and neither are we.
Sometimes at Badger, we come across a few imperfections in a piece of wood that can be repaired but become cosmetically unappealing. Or a slip of the paw and other human errors gives us some “Badger Blems” to deal with.

Examples of various Badger Blems showing both sizes of upside down paw logos.
Ironically, some of these imperfect paddles are still perfectly usable as paddles. Others would be best suited for decorative wall hangers. You may even find some paddles that have been used as “demos” or are prototypes. All are considered to be Badger Blems.
The paddles that are put into the Badger Blem category are usually available for purchase to the public at a discounted price. Sometimes you may find these discounted paddles through a few select retailers. But mostly, Blems are available direct from Badger Paddles (or the Wood Shop).
When you buy a “second” or “blemished” paddle from Badger, you will find that the paddle may be left blank (no logos). However it is more likely to have an UPSIDE DOWN Badger PAW branded somewhere on the shaft or blade.
This upside down logo may be a regular sized paw logo or a smaller version.
It is also possible that you will find a Badger Blem paddle that has our usual branding AND an upside down paw logo. This usually happens when a paddle is marked as a Blem late in the process, after the regular branding is done.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
Badger Blem paddles are sold “as is” and are not eligible for warranty.
Blems & Seconds & Seconds & Blems
Badger Blems usually fall within one of two categories: #1 or #2.
Blems in the #2 category are most often discounted more so than the blem paddles in the #1 category. This is due to the fact that the issues identified in the #1 paddle blems are generally more cosmetic where as # 2 blems are structural. Hence the different pricing.
Consequently, the heavily discounted Badger blems (or #2’s) are best suited for decorative purposes only.
We brand our blems upside down to mark the fact that they are established blems and thus do not have a warranty, nor do they include a Badger Paddle Sock.
Note: “Blem” is a manufacturing term that we use to identify paddles that are not up to our Badger standards, and has the same meaning as “factory second”.
If you are not fussy about aesthetics, have a painting project in mind, or are looking for a discounted price on a budget Badger paddle, be sure to contact us. We just may have an imperfect paddle available that is perfect for you!
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