Dave, honestly, I'd do what I did with my toon oars and just wrap 2 layers of pencil lead from the base of the handle down about 4 inches. Then cover with duct tape.

If you decide to go "high dollar", I do have a set of cataract balances that I'll sell you for 50% of retail. They are basically just short pieces of pipe with a few plastic screws in them.

-AP