When we make our keepsake boxes, the last step is the finish. And believe it or not,
that has been one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make as woodworkers.
We’ve tested almost every option out there, and each one comes with its own pros and cons.

Water-Based Lacquer

It’s designed to be sprayed — and we’re not set up to spray in our shop.
Brushing it on was difficult and time-consuming to avoid runs and streaks,
and it always had that plastic look that just didn’t feel right for an heirloom box.

Arm-R-Seal Satin

This finish makes the grain pop more than almost anything else — it’s beautiful.
But the dry time is 12 to 24 hours between coats, the VOCs are harsh, and the smell lingers in the shop.
Gorgeous results, but too slow and too heavy for us to use every day.

Tried & True

A traditional oil finish. It’s natural, even food-safe, but with one coat the wood looked dull,
and with two coats it took forever to cure. That pace just doesn’t fit the way we work.

Premixed Shellac

For a while, we used premixed shellac. It looked great, dried fast, and brought out the grain beautifully.
But one customer mentioned the strong, sweet smell, and that was enough for us to reconsider.

Dewaxed Shellac

We tested dewaxed shellac as well. It dries quickly and enhances the wood, but it just isn’t durable enough
on its own for something meant to last for generations.

Odie’s Oil

And then there was Odie’s Oil. It has a loyal following, and it gives a natural look, but in our experience,
the cure time was forever. We couldn’t wait that long between steps.

Where We Landed: Button-Lac Shellac

Where we’ve landed — and what we use now — is button shellac. It comes in these button-like pieces,
which we dissolve in alcohol. It dries quickly, it enhances the wood beautifully,
it has better durability than dewaxed shellac, and unlike premixed shellac, it doesn’t have that overpowering odor.
It’s the right balance for us: natural, timeless, and practical for both the shop and our customers.

Why This Finish Matters

So, after years of experimenting, button-lac shellac is the finish that tells the story of our boxes best.
Every box we make carries the grain of the tree forward — and this finish is what lets that story shine.