I have sanded my paddle with 100 grit on a longish sanding block to get rid of many nasty gashes after planing. One question is, how fine should I go? On Ross Leidy's great web page he mentions he used 200 or 220. I plan to just use an oil finish. Ross mentions using alcohol to clean off any dust. Will paint thinner work? Is this a necessary step, or one for those who are striving for paddle perfection:>

Perhaps the lamest question to be posted on this BBS, but for a Greenland-style paddle, what weight should I be trying to achieve?? I know most feel the lighter the better, but this is my first such paddle (my first ever hand-made one actually).At what weight will it cease to be useful as a paddle, and best be left on the wall?

Thanks for any and all info.

Kelly