Tung oil
Posted by: Canuka
on Mar-04-13 9:20 AM (EST)
I recently bought my first Greenland paddle, a Tuktu, and I had it finished in tung oil. I love it. It feels silky smooth and is very durable compared to other "oils". Tung oil takes some time to dry (my paddle was still sticky when I opened the box) but again, it is super durable and I doubt very much that it will need retouching as often as Watco does.
Watco does not stand up to hard use and it is not truly an oil. It's a mix of oil, varnish and solvents. But be sure to get real tung oil. Some products are labeled "tung oil finish". If it says "finish", forget about it, it's a blend more akin to Watco.
I also got the paddle tip protectors from Northern Light paddles. They work well and fit very tight.