Terry,
I use a mixture of one part varnish, one part boiled linseed oil, and two parts turpentine. Mix up about a half-quart, and slosh it on liberally two or three times until the wood soaks up as much as it will.

Then refinish once every couple days for several coats, rubbing with 0000 steelwool between coats. Greg Stamer, and many others, recommend less and less varnish in the mix as subsequent coats build up.

I havent tried lemon oil or floor finish. I'd suspect the lemon oil would be fine, and that the floor finish has wax in it which will make the paddle slick. No need for expensive varnish, I use McClosky's from HD at about $10/quart. Be sure to stir it, I found out the hard way

: Hey Don Beale, I can't remember your mix for finishing paddles, I would like
: to try it on my first greenland paddle. Thanks!!

: Another question ,, Has anyone used such finishes as lemon oil (furniture
: polish) or Dura Seal ( a floor finish by Minwax).,as a paddle finish..?

: You can probably guess that I have these things taking up space in my garage,
: and was wondering.........?

: Whosaid ? " Don't buy it if you can make it and don't make it if you can
: find it ."

: Regards Terry