Coffin keezer wood finish?

[PasbitinusBluinusRibbinus]

I just finished a large coffin keezer build (I'll post a compete thread when it's done), but I still have to stain and finish the wood. I've chosen a stain, but I don't know what wood finish would be best for this build. I am shying away from polyurethane, as that's the finish I've used for 99% of my previous woodworking projects, and I'm not totally in love with the way it looks.

Any opinions for protection and appearance?

Here's a picture of the (almost) finished keezer.

 

[Newsman]

How about a Teak Oil or something like that?

 

[Caboose]

I don't know what to recommend, but I wanted to tell you great job. That is something to be proud of. I hope you post a completed pic once you have stained.

 

[Wolfairious]

Try Tung oil.
You can also thin poly out 50/50 with mineral spirts to give it a more natural look without the plastic thick hard coat feel. Thinning it will allow it to seep into the wood more. You can rub it on this way to achieve more protection from wear than you would with an oil.

 

[grainbill]

2¢
Anytime I've used polyurethane in the past I've used three coats with a light buffing using quad ought steel wool between coats, and it has always turned out fine. I use spar varnish on my fly rods which holds up to abuse. I suppose you could use a lacquer or shellac. When you stain the coffin, stain a scrape or two of the wood you used and try different overcoats to see what you like. You might even want to rub some brew on the bottom of a pint glass and set it down on the finished scrapes to see how the different finishes hold up...

 

[1975brewer]

Nice job. You should be putting some thought into the finish it would be a shame to ruin such beautiful work. What don't you like about the poly?