haggisv wrote: 1 layer is usually enough, but the stuff is quite thin, so 2 layers won't hurt.
Agreed ...plus purely as a few side notes:
- if the varnish you are using is a form of poly (ie: Polyurethane varnish, either water-based or oil-based) you can also do the old trick of wiping on a thin layer of varnish with one clean dry rag, then immediately wiping off any excess with another. (Haggisv is quite right about most varnish being very thin... Poly varnish runs almost as readily as water, you only need a very small amount)
- Two thin coats is more than enough to seal the blade and protect it from any moisture in your rubber glue, without overly affecting the blade's playing performance - resist any temptation to add more (if your coats of varnish are too thick, it can make the blade stiffer and faster... which you may or may not want.)
- If you decide to sand back the varnish between coats to give it a smoother finish, makes sure each coat is fully dry before sanding, and don't use anything finer than say 240 grit sandpaper, otherwise the finish will be too smooth and it will be harder for your rubber glue to adhere to your blade properly. Personally I find 240 grit to be ideal.
- Finally, only varnish the handle if your hands don't sweat much during play... otherwise it can become slippery as a bar of soap and you'll need to sand it back a little. 
Hope this helps. 
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