: 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.

Actually, if I use varnish at all, it is only for the initial coat. I mix equal parts (linseed oil based) varnish, oil and turps for the first coat only, which is allowed to dry overnight. Subsequent coats start with 50/50 boiled linseed oil and pure gum turpentine with less and less turps used for subsequent coats. I apply the oil with 0000 steel wool. Following the first coat, the oil/turps must be removed before it dries or you will have a gummy mess. A general oiling schedule is once/day for the first week, once/month for the first year, then yearly or as needed.

Before I apply any oil I often wet the paddle, let it dry and smooth the raised grain. Repeat until no more grain rises.

There are many other recipees out there, and I don't find it necessary to be too critical about the proportions (within reason). You can also skip the finish if you prefer.

A thread on finishes can be found at http://www.qajaqusa.org/cgi-bin/GreenlandTechniqueForum_config.pl/read/193

Greg Stamer