Badger Finally!

[Black_Fly]

My Badgertail paddle arrived after sitting in the Milwaukee USPS center for 6 days. I was getting nervous. I still have a week to learn to use it before heading north. First thing I noticed was the relatively narrow shaft. Im wondering if this is a positive for my crappy hands. Bad hands and shoulders was the reason for his acquisition. If it works out, Im leaving the double blade behind.

Im also wondering how often to oil it, and with what kind of oil.

 

[D J Hayes]

My Badgertail paddle arrived after sitting in the Milwaukee USPS center for 6 days. I was getting nervous. I still have a week to learn to use it before heading north. First thing I noticed was the relatively narrow shaft. Im wondering if this is a positive for my crappy hands. Bad hands and shoulders was the reason for his acquisition. If it works out, Im leaving the double blade behind.

Im also wondering how often to oil it, and with what kind of oil.
View attachment 148907

I have one in cherry. They use and recommend hemp seed oil and oil the paddle a couple of times per season depending upon usage. Although, I should admit that I used captain's (spar) varnish and did the blade. Looks great and I feel more comfortable. Have been refurbishing several old paddles lately and water damage/mold is tough to overcome.
Dan

 

[ScottS]

I now use Watco teak oil on my hand-carved paddles. It works great and it does not mildew like boiled linseed oil.
I have tried real tung oil, but have never seen any difference - I don't see it as worth the extra money.
Varnish, unlike oil, is waterproof. Small nicks in the varnish will trap moisture and cause mildew. That is why varnished wood often has little black spots, and like DJ says above, those black spots are hard to get rid of. If at some time you decide that you'd rather have a varnished paddle, you can varnish over oil just fine.
I have never used boiled hemp seed oil.

 

[Gamma1214]

I'll second the Watco Teak oil. IIRC, they put a coat or two on at the factory but I'd do another (possibly 2 depending on how quickly the 1st soaks in) before you leave. After that, a coat before storing for the winter will work for most of us. If you get out a lot, throw a coat on in early summer.

Congrats on the paddle. Sassafras?

 

[Halpc]

Nice paddle- is it sassafras? My Badger sassafras Tripper is now my favorite deep water paddle. I employ an ash paddle near shore or in white water. I use Vans Hemp oil (food grade) on most of my paddles now. it is the same, I think, as the Badger oil, but comes from the U.S. at a much lower price after shipping. It provides a silky feel and I like rubbing it into the wood by hand. I use it on my Shaw & Tenney ash paddles and my cherry Badger Sliver, as well as the Tripper. If a paddle was scuffed or scratched on a trip I just rub in some more hemp oil and it looks new again. My 78 year old hands and shoulders appreciate the feel and shape of Badger paddles, even though I've had multiple torn rotator cuff injuries. Hopefully your new paddle will enable you to ditch the double. The Badger is particularly fun to use for "Indian" or "Canadian" strokes with under water recovery. Enjoy!!

 

[Black_Fly]

Finally got the paddle on the lake. The paddle is much easier on shoulders than a double blade or my wider canoe blades, although the wind was not an issue so I’m not 100% sure. We got moving pretty well with minimal turbulence. Paddle is sized perfect for this canoe. I did experience a bit of tingling in one hand, trying to go numb. I was using NRS paddling gloves, then switched to a thin neoprene glove. I think a wrist wrap will help with the tingling also.

Testing was cut short by gunfire. Small game and duck seasons are open. The new paddle seems sized perfectly. Extending it outwardly made for powerful turning. Corrections almost effortless.

Had to wash everything due to sticky scum. Phosphates can’t be good for the paddle’s finish. The hull had chunks hardened on it by the time we got home.