: Hope this isn't off-topic, but I thought I'd get started
: on a Greenland-style paddle this weekend. Even though it's
: just an experiment, I'd like to pretty it up a bit. I'm
: thinking about edging it in some kind of plastic, the way
: a lot of canoe paddles are produced. I'm eager to get your
: suggestions about what material to use, how to afix it and
: when in the process I should do so. I'm thinking about adding
: plastic tips with an epoxied mortise and tenon joint at the
: beginning of the process, then just carving away. Bad idea?

: Also, many g-paddlers suggest no finish or an oil finish rather
: than varnish. Thoughts? What about varnished blades and
: an oiled shaft?

: Don't know why I'm getting so wrapped up in a $10 project,
: but "it's not about the money" now, is it?

Well it is about money for me. I'm not shelling out a $100+ on any paddle if i can make one for free. I get my wood off the beach , old growth red cedar.

I put my tips on after the paddles were finished and used glued dowels without any mortise and tenons, no breaks yet . If you make a mortise and tenon joint with the tenon on the wood paddle then it seems obvious to make the tenon while the paddle stock is rectangular and squared up. I'd put the tips on after the paddle is thinned down otherwise the tips ( which ideally bulge out a bit in width and thickness ) will be in the way when planing/sanding it down.

Oil is better (cheaper) than varnish - not as slippery which doesn't happen often but is more likely to happen when things are at their worst.

El Cheapo