-- Last Updated: Jun-05-12 8:44 AM EST --
I am as fussy as you :)
Originally ordered (and received) a Werner Carve adjustable 2 piece paddle which ranges from 74-78 inches. Fiberglass paddle, fiberglass shaft.
It arrived last Thursday. It's a really nice paddle.
But in the interim, so that I could take a class and then practice on my own, I got an all carbon Kialoa Pipes at REI (on sale) the night I picked up my board (Boardworks Raven 10'6"- which was also on sale) Had to have it that night cuz I was off to symposium the next day.
Now I'm really liking the Kialoa. All carbon is just really nice, light, and easy on the body. My go to paddle is a Werner Carbon (Cyprus) 205 so I'm used to the feel and performance of carbon.
Kialoa, Werner, QuickBlade, Surftech etc all make nice entry & mid level paddles w. fiberglass blades. The handles are all a little different tho, so how they feel to your hand is something best tried out in person.