I really, really like the finish from osmo oil (polyx for tables or topoil for eg cutting board level food safety). Requires sanding back the first time, but subsequent coats or touchups are apply-and-buff only; you might want a buffer but I’ve done it by hand too.
Aesthetically, it’s very close to a raw timber finish, but very water resistant (and alcohol resistant!), durable, and maintains the tactile experience of raw wood pretty well too—not sticky or slick or coated. Slightly more work than polyurethane but IMO worth it.
I really, really like the finish from osmo oil (polyx for tables or topoil for eg cutting board level food safety). Requires sanding back the first time, but subsequent coats or touchups are apply-and-buff only; you might want a buffer but I’ve done it by hand too.
Aesthetically, it’s very close to a raw timber finish, but very water resistant (and alcohol resistant!), durable, and maintains the tactile experience of raw wood pretty well too—not sticky or slick or coated. Slightly more work than polyurethane but IMO worth it.