I am reposting this question here in the Turners forum because the answers I received in the Finishing forum seemed to not give many options. Turners have to finish occasionally and I suspect there will be a number of ways to adequately finish outdoor wooden tool handles.
"I am turning several garden trowel handles about 15" long as gifts. White oak is the wood. What is a recommendation for a finish that will hold up and perhaps can be renewed. Spar varnish seems to be overkill. Sometime back I heard of using a mixture of BLO and Turpentine, don't recall the proportions. Any experienced suggestions?"