I've used Tru-Oil with some success although I'll bet there are better materials. I sand to 600 grit and clean between coats. My experience is limited to Bolivian and Indian Rosewood, two knives each so I'm not the best one to ask.

I have noticed the coating doesn't hold up well under heavy wet use. The coating fails and the grain raises requiring another finishing but it is easy to complete.

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. Albert Einstein