: I know this isnt about kayaking but there seem to be some pretty
: knowledgeable people concerning wood here, so, what is the best finish for
: a cutting board of red oak, walnut and ash? Thanks for playing along.
: Elliott

The best finish is no finish at all. Variously, film finishes tend to be scar and chip off. Penetrating finishes do better, but you'll still cut through the finish depth. Both will be scarred on their first use. That said, walnut oil is reputedly the best penetrating finish. Shellac would be the only viable film finish, as it's classified as safe for inclusion in foods by the FDA. Cooked oils are reputed to go rancid, whereas raw oils -- olive oil, peanut oil -- will not. I say reputed, because I wouldn't know; I'm quite pleased with my unfinished bread and chopping boards. I wipe them down with olive oil from time to time, not so much as a "finish" in the furniture use of the word, but as a polish, as in dusting with lemon pledge. The culinary term is "seasoning" the board. And so it goes.

Leave it plain, but wipe it from time to time with whatever cooking oil you have on hand. It's far more complicated than it needs to be. (I should try vacuum bagging it someday and see how far the oil will penetrate.)

Mike.