Mineral Oil and Beeswax: Why We Finish Slowly
The finish on a piece is the last thing a hand touches before it goes into a cloth bag. We keep it simple, and we do not hurry it.
Good wood does not need a coat of shine. It needs to be fed, and then left alone.
Summary
- Our pieces are finished by hand in museum-grade mineral oil and natural beeswax.
- The finish brings out the grain and protects the surface without hiding it.
- Applying it slowly, in stages, lets the wood absorb it properly.
Key takeaways
- A natural finish keeps the wood looking like wood.
- Oil feeds the surface, and wax seals and polishes it.
- The finish can be refreshed over time, which suits an object meant to last.
When you finish a piece of wood, you can choose between covering it and revealing it. Many commercial finishes sit on the surface like a plastic skin. They look glossy and uniform, and they hide the character of the wood underneath.
We chose the opposite.
Two simple ingredients
Our pieces are finished by hand in museum-grade mineral oil and natural beeswax. It is a short list, and it is deliberate.
Mineral oil soaks into the wood and deepens its color. It makes the pale body look warmer and makes the dark streaks stand out. It does not form a hard coat, so the surface still feels like wood when you touch it.
Beeswax sits on top of the oil, giving the surface a soft, low sheen and a degree of protection. It has a gentle, natural scent and a feel that is hard to describe: smooth but not slick.
Why slowly
Wood absorbs oil at its own pace. If you flood it, the excess just sits on the surface and gets tacky. The better method is to apply thin coats, let each one soak in, and come back to it. It is dull, repetitive work.
The reward is a finish that looks like it comes from inside the wood. The color is even without being flat. The grain seems to glow rather than gleam.
The role of the hand
All of this is done by hand. The oil is rubbed in with a cloth. The wax is worked in and buffed. A hand notices things a machine cannot: a patch that is drier than the rest, a crevice that needs another pass, a spot that has taken the wax unevenly.
An object that can be refreshed
One advantage of a simple finish is that it can be renewed. Over years, a piece may look a little drier. A light rub of oil or wax brings it back. We describe how to do that in How to Care for a Root-Wood Candleholder.
This is part of why we think of these pieces as objects for a lifetime, and perhaps for the next one. A finish you can maintain is a finish that does not have to end.
Why not something stronger
A harder finish might resist spills better, but it would change how the piece looks and feels. We prefer to give up a little durability for the sake of authenticity, and then teach people how to look after the wood. It is a trade we are comfortable making.
Common questions
What finish do you use?
Museum-grade mineral oil and natural beeswax, applied by hand.
Will the finish wear off?
Over time it can look drier, but it is easy to refresh with a light application of oil or wax.
Keep reading
Every piece is one of one.
Browse the specimen archive and acquire the piece that speaks to you. Each is catalogued once and sold once.