You spent hours selecting the material for your project. You milled it flat, sanded smooth and now you're standing in front of a shelf of finish options…oils, waxes, polyurethanes, hardwax oils and suddenly everything feels a lot more complicated than it should.

Here's the good news: choosing the right finish doesn't have to be overwhelming. Once you understand what each finish does and what it's designed for, the decision gets a lot simpler. And if you're ever stuck, Andrew at Fish Brothers Board Company in Tulsa is always here to help you figure it out in person.

Let's break it down.

Why the Right Finish Matters

A great finish does two things: it protects the wood and it enhances its natural beauty. Get it right and your piece will look stunning for decades. Get it wrong, and you may end up with a plastic-looking surface that hides the grain you worked so hard to reveal, or a finish that wears out within a year.

The right choice depends on three things:

1. How the piece will be used

2. The look you're going for and 

3. How much maintenance you're willing to do.

The Main Categories of Wood Finish

1. Oil Finishes — The Natural Look

Oil finishes penetrate into the wood rather than sitting on top of it. They feed the wood, bring out the depth of the grain and leave a soft, matte appearance that feels natural to the touch. They don't create a plastic-like film.

The tradeoff? They offer less surface protection than film-building finishes and most need to be reapplied over time. But for the right project, there's nothing more beautiful.

Best for: Furniture, display pieces, decorative items, anything where you want the wood to look and feel like wood.

2. Hardwax Oils — The Best of Both Worlds

Hardwax oils are a premium category that has exploded in popularity over the past decade — and for good reason. They penetrate the wood like an oil finish, but with the added protection of wax. The result is a natural matte look and feel with meaningfully better durability than traditional oil finishes.

They're also far easier to repair. Because the finish bonds with the wood fibers rather than forming a film on top, you can spot-repair worn areas without touching the rest of the piece. With polyurethane, a bad spot means refinishing the whole surface.

Best for: Dining tables, countertops, furniture that gets real use but needs to look great.

The Finishes We Carry at Fish Brothers

Fish Brothers Board Company carries a curated selection of premium finishing products — including two that are harder to find anywhere else in Tulsa.

Rubio Monocoat — One Coat. Serious Results.

Rubio Monocoat is a plant-based hardwax oil from Belgium, and it's become one of the most talked-about finishes in the woodworking world. What makes it unique is its molecular bonding technology: the oil attaches directly to the wood fibers at a cellular level, protecting the wood in a single coat without building up any surface film.

The results speak for themselves — a stunning matte finish that keeps the natural look and feel of the wood completely intact. It's also 0% VOC, non-toxic and available in over 50 colors, so you can add a tint during the finishing process without a separate staining step.

Rubio Monocoat is ideal for:

• Dining tables and kitchen countertops

• Hardwood furniture you want to age beautifully

• Anyone who values a natural look and easy long-term maintenance

Fish Brothers is one of the only retailers in Tulsa carrying Rubio Monocoat. Come in and ask to see samples finished with it — the difference is immediately visible.

Walrus Oil — Simple, Natural, Food-Safe

Walrus Oil is exactly what it sounds like: a straightforward, clean, natural finish made from a blend of coconut oil, mineral oil, beeswax, and vitamin E. It's 100% food safe, has virtually no odor, and is as beginner-friendly as a finish gets.

It's a wipe-on, wipe-off product that protects and conditions the wood naturally. It won't create a hard surface coat, but it keeps wood nourished and looking warm — and because it's food-safe, it's the go-to choice for pieces that will come into contact with food.

Walrus Oil is ideal for:

• Cutting boards and charcuterie boards

• Butcher block countertops

• Salad bowls and kitchen utensils

• Any project where food safety is a concern

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an oil finish and polyurethane?
Oil finishes penetrate into the wood, leaving a natural matte look and feel. Polyurethane builds a film on top of the wood, offering more surface protection but a shinier, more plastic-like appearance. The right choice depends on how the piece will be used and the look you want.

Is Rubio Monocoat really a one-coat system?
Yes. Rubio Monocoat uses molecular bonding technology that attaches to the wood at a cellular level, which means the wood actually can't accept a second coat — it's already fully bonded. One proper coat is all you need.

What wood finish is food safe?
Walrus Oil is fully food safe and is one of the best options for cutting boards, butcher block, and kitchen surfaces. Rubio Monocoat is also considered safe once cured. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific use.

Can I repair a finish without refinishing the whole piece?
With oil-based and hardwax oil finishes like Rubio Monocoat, yes — you can spot-treat worn areas without touching the rest of the surface. With polyurethane, repairs typically require sanding and recoating the full surface.

Do I need to know which finish I want before I come in?
Not at all. Bring your project idea or even just a description of what you're building and Andrew or one of our team members will walk you through the options and help you choose the right finish for your specific wood species and use case.

Still not sure? Come in and ask.

The best finish for your project is the one that fits how you're using it, how you want it to look and how much maintenance you want to do long-term. There's no single right answer and the variables matter.

That's why Fish Brothers Board Company takes an educational approach to every sale. Whether you're finishing your first cutting board or putting a final coat on a heirloom dining table, we're here to help you get it right.