: I built a Greenland paddle over the weekend and need advise on how best to
: finish it. I like the look of an oiled finish, and like the durability and
: waterproof nature of epoxy/varnish.

I finished mine with Watco (~8 coats) and it looked beautiful, untilI used it. I found that the finish wore off very quickly at the roots of the blades, where my hands are. I've reapplied it, but haven't had it in the water again yet. I suppose if you keep applying the oil, it will eventually become more durable.

On my next paddle (coming soon), I plan to try thinned satin varnish applied with a rag, similar to the way you apply oil. This should produce the same look and feel as an oil finish, but hopefully greater durability.

: I am also considering putting fiberglass tape on the blade tips.

This is a pretty easy job, as long as you leave the edges on tips flat. I laminated 4 layers of 'glass matt on the tips of mine, then sanded it to a nice round contour and blended in into the blade edges. It looks good and it's very rugged.

Hold the first strip of 'glass on the blade with masking tape as you wet it out. Apply another layer of 'glass, tape it in place, wet it out and repeat until you get the desired thickness (I put 3/16" of 'glass on mine). I covered the finished laminate with Saran Wrap, which allowed me to shape it to a slightly rounded contour as it cured, which saved some sanding. Once cured, rough shape it with a rasp, then finish with sandpaper.

I also epoxy coated the last 3" of the blades. It contracts with the oil finish somewhat (even after wet sanding to dull the gloss), but it looks OK, in my opinion. It also makes a nice, even transition to the 'glass on the tips.