Tried and True brand question

[mike calabrese]

Just finished sanding two wooden bowls and have been looking for a fool proof finish that is food safe and simple.
I learned about Tried and True finish https://www.triedandtruewoodfinish.com on a you tube channel. It looks pretty simple consisting of linseed oil and bees wax (the original formula), it looks like it might be to good to be true .
Does anyone have any experience or comments on the Original Formula product please.
thanks
mike c

[Jim Becker]

I've been using it since 1997. It's good product, not "too good to be true", but it's important to understand that it's just a drying oil...polymerized linseed oil to be specific...and doesn't have a huge level of protection. That applies to either the straight oil or the oil/beeswax versions. There's a third product which is a varnish oil that's based on tree resin. I use both of the former varieties, but never took to the varnish oil, myself. I primarily use T&T on decorative items. Now while I generally use it for decorative items as noted or as an oil application followed by wax free shellac to warm up wood before spraying waterborne clear, I will also say that the cherry desk I made for Professor Dr. SWMBO in 1997 (the first thing I used T&T on to my knowledge) still looks wonderful and has only had a few applications of wax over the years.

BTW, all finishes sold today are "food safe" once fully cured. The reason that T&T may be perceived as safer is because it doesn't use metallic driers like "regular" BLO does. One of my original reasons for using it was because I could finish in the house in the winter without risk to our birds, as a matter of fact. It's not toxic in that respect.

[Stan Calow]

I've used it once. Pay attention to the instructions regarding the need for very thin coats. I dont think its appropriate for every application, since its just oil and wax.

[Phil Mueller]

I’ve used it and like it, but as Jim said, not particularly protective. You may also want to look into General Finishes wood bowl finish. I’ve used that on multiple wooden kitchen spoons and it’s held up well. In fact, I used it on a small side table and that too has held up well.

Unlike T&T, though, it’s solvent based. Non toxic/food safe once cured.

[mike calabrese]

Jim Becker
https://sawmillcreek.org/clear.gifhttps://sawmillcreek.org/images/misc/tree_ltr.gifhttps://sawmillcreek.org/images/statusicon/post_new.png Stan Calow
https://sawmillcreek.org/clear.gifhttps://sawmillcreek.org/images/misc/tree_ltr.gifhttps://sawmillcreek.org/images/statusicon/post_new.png Phil Mueller
Thank you gentlemen for your advice and experience. For years I have used a mixture of 40% tung oil , 40% of poly urethane and 20% mineral spirits.
It leaves a nice buttery feel but kind of a task to keep the 3 elements in stock over time and in balanced proportions. back to woodworking after a long time away trying to manage inventory.
Going to take you advice and try the T&T on a couple of segmented bowls waiting on a finish.
Thank you for your time and guidance.
mike c