Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Finish

tfj_at_interaccess.com wrote:
>What finish do you like best for paddles (homemade, Greenland style)?
Varnish,
>nothing, oil, other?  My current projects are cedar:  would pine, spruce,
etc.
>make a difference in your preference?
>
Tom,

I have used a large variety of Greenland paddles finished with epoxy,
varnish, paint, oil and bare (unfinished). I greatly prefer an oiled or
unfinished paddle. Since you slide your hands over the edges of a Greenland
stick, I find it much easier to maintain them with a little sandpaper and
an occasional oiling, rather than go through the hassle of applying epoxy
or varnish, although you will may need to oil a few times a year. I find
epoxy to be too slick and varnish "squeaks" too much in my hands (YMMV).
The heavier finishes may also diminish the wonderful buoyancy of a
Greenland-blade.
 
Before you apply a finish, first wet the paddle thoroughly and let dry.
Sand the raised grain and repeat this process until the wood starts to
behave.  My finishing 'recipee' is to use an equal mix of gum-turpentine
(Ace hardware carries it), boiled linseed oil and linseed-based varnish
(Captain's Z-Spar) for the first coat. The varnish acts as a sealer and is
optional. Following coats contain no varnish and have less and less
turpentine until you are using only oil. The first coat can soak in
overnight but following coats need to be wiped off or the oil will dry to a
gummy "crinkle-finish". I use fine steel wool to apply the oil and dispose
of it with care (linseed oil on rags can spontaneously combust).

I also recommend that you don't get too carried away smoothing the paddle.
150 grit is the finest paper that I use. Having some "tooth" to the paddle
surface allows a confident grip, even if you are wearing neoprene mittens.
The Greenlanders often don't sand their paddles at all and rarely apply a
finish.

Greg Stamer
http://www.magicnet.net/~gstamer/QK.html

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