I wonder if occasionally people end up on this site due to the fact they have acquired an “Empty Bowl” with my signature on it. And, perhaps someone may be wondering what I use for the “finish” on bowls I donate to the Empty Bowls event.
In almost every case, my “Empty Bowls” are finished with a coat of walnut oil. This is a commercial food grade product that comes from one of two sources, either “Mahoney’s Utility Finish” or “Doctors Woodshop Walnut Finishing Oil.” These are essentially the same product – an oil sourced from American walnut trees which has been treated to remove the substance that causes nut allergies.
In 2023, I experimented briefly with a home made friction polish made with beeswax, mineral oil and diatomaceous earth. These bowls can be treated the same as the ones treated with walnut oil.
I use the walnut oil finishes because the oil does not go rancid. It soaks into the wood and eventually polymerizes (hardens). If used for food, and washed repeatedly, over time the finish may appear to dry out. A recoating with walnut oil will restore the finish. If the walnut oil is unavailable or is too costly, there is a product sold at Home Depot and other locations called “Howard’s Butcher Block Conditioner.” This product is mineral oil based and will not last as long, but can be replenished as often as needed.