True oil is my preferred finish. I sand to about 300 grit. Apply an alcohol based stain if you want. Then I use wet sand paper about 400 grit, apply true oil and wet sand the bow creating a slurry keeping the bow wet with oil till I'm done wet sanding. This fills all the pores. Let it dry, then use 400 grit over the whole thing. Tac cloth it down and add about 8 to 10 coats of true oil, using 0000 steel wool between coats and making sure to use a Tac cloth to remove all dust. The last 2 coats I apply with my finger making sure to remove all streaks. When I'm happy with the finish I let it cure for at least 48 hours. Then spritz it with a little water and buff it good with carnauba car wax. This leaves a tough as nails high gloss finish. If I'm doing a satin finish. After applying the final cost I will very evenly and lightly buff it with the 0000 steel wool. Tac it off and apply the wax to achieve a beautiful satin finish.
I used this method when I refinished guns. I have set a gun stock in a bucket of water and using a moisture meter to check the but area never gained any moisture in the wood. Hope this helps, process takes about a week. Patrick
