I sometimes use the Birchwood Casey finish see it here:

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/Refin...ck-Finish.aspx


or a coat or two of Danish Oil.

My wife and I are avid Cowboy Action Shooters and anytime I do checkering or a pattern for grip enhancement I like to use something that penetrates the wood. Our guns are thrown around a bit and we are not concerned about dings and scratches in the wood.

I'm sure others will chime in, this is just mu two cents...

Jerry