: Hi Eric,
: I've never gotten even a blister from my GP, I have from commercial
: EP's. You are less likely to get blisters with a GP because the
: gripping point is larger circumfrence which needs less tight a
: grip. The shape fitting into the hand means less movement
: between the paddle and hand, it's that which causes blisters.

: Burnishing and oiling the paddle makes it even better. Oddly,
: oiling improves grip when wet making it grippy but not sticky.
: Burnishing smooths the surface of the paddle.

: Mike Savage
: South West Cork

It is kind of funny, the one thing I couldn't imagine people taking issue with is the one thing everyone seems to be most interested in. I can really only comment on my own experiences with my own paddles. For me personally, I find that after many hours of paddling my hands get pretty raw. I do tend to be rather light on my finishing, so perhaps with some more coats of oil, it wouldn't be so bad.

To each his own.

Eric M.