My opinion
I've always used the BLO and paste wax on top for my bench. It's renewable and doesn't make the bench top too slippery. Having said that, polymerized tung oil available from Lee Valley is a viable alternative and it does provide more of a build than the BLO. It cures in just a day or two unlike the raw tung oil which does take a long time to cure. Tung is more expensive, but doesn't darken with age like the BLO. I use the tung mostly for light colored woods which I want to keep light colored. Which way you choose to go depends on your preferences. Just remember that a buffed out coat or two of paste wax on top of your finish is a real help in preventing such things as glue, shellac, and other liquids from sticking permanently to the top. A quick rub over the affected area with a scraper or a chisel will just pop off the offending mess.
Dave Anderson
Chester, NH