from the outrigger list....
"Xylo blades are the most beautiful I've seen. The disadvantage to a carbon blade is that if you tend to bang the gunwales ( which new paddlers tend to do) the carbon can chip and dent and is not easily repaired. Wood is a little easier to repair. The Xylo blade is encircled by a very hard resin to protect the blade from damage and gunwale banging. (oops they also have hybrid paddles as well - which I've not seen)."
Elaine Crosier.. elainecrosier@cox.net

Thanks Elaine for the mention! We put TuffStuff on the Carbo G paddles also as we have seen many of the hybrids chip! The TuffStuff is not really a resin, find out more..here