Best way to bring out figure.

[Nathan Palenski]

It sounds like pretty much everyone agrees on plane, sand, finish.

I'm swinging by lowes tomorrow to pickup some BLO, Deft Clear, Tung, waterlox and maybe some shellac.

I have to be careful with the waterlox or it'll be useless after I open it, right?

[Neal Clayton]

unless the can is full, yeah. if you buy a gallon, break it down into quarts and use one quart at a time. if you start with a quart, break it down into small mason jars or something, just a matter of keeping the can full.

[Scott Holmes]

On cherry, BLO or tung oil will pop the grain. Linseed oil a bit more than the tung oil, cost less too.

My preferred finish on cherry furniture is a light coat of dewaxed garnet shellac, then a top coat... PLEASE don't use poly! Waterlox or some other HARD varnish wil be far superior. Poly is tough; but not very hard.