What finish on a Spalted Beech box?

[Distinterior]

I am in the middle of making a Spalted Beech box as a thank you present for a mate of mine.

I would like to keep as much of a natural look to the finish on the box as possible. I don't want a high gloss finish, but I do want it durable.

What would you guys suggest...?

Here are a few pictures of the box as it stands at the moment. As you can see, I have yet to separate the lid.

 

[Blackswanwood]

That choice of timber looks great.

Skelton Saw’s Clear Honey finishing oil is well worth considering. https://www.skeltonsaws.co.uk/peacock-oil. I have used it on a couple of Birds Eye Maple boxes and it hardly darkens the wood but really makes the grain pop.

It takes a few days to apply but well worth it.

 

[marcros]

I made some coasters from spalted beech, and used Rubio Monocoat on them. it is a matt finish, and I was very impressed. it isn't cheap, but the 20ml sample pot will do a box- a little goes a long way. It does darken the timber a bit, but any oil will do so to some degree. In its downside, it is quite slow to fully cure, particularly if you don't use the optional part b. you can't get a sample of the part b alone.

 

[Distinterior]

I have some Rubio Monocoat left over from a wooden worktop job I did a few months back, but I'd be concerned that it will darken the Beech more than I would like....! I used it on Oak worktops.

I'll have a read up on that Peacock Oil. Thanks Blackswanwood.

 

[marcros]

if you have some left over, I would certainly test it on a bit of scrap- if nothing more you will have an idea for next time.