: 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.

That's a lot of work to have it wear off so quickly!!

: On my next paddle (coming soon), I plan to try thinned satin varnish applied
: with a rag, similar to the way you apply oil.

Even thinned gloss varnish will probably be satiny rather than glossy.

: 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.

4 separate applications, or all 4 layers in one sitting?

: 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.

Cool!

Shawn