The Werner bent shaft paddles, and, I assume most or all other brands, have their the now common 0-90 degree adjustable feather (in 15 dgree increments with the Werner) and there definitely is a control hand. Also, there is some leeway to hold the paddle off center to adjust for side winds and waves, or to reach out farther for a brace. I really find that I can link different strokes better with the bent shaft, and now when I paddle with a straight shaft it feels like the shaft is "bent" forward.