Don't know if you ever tried this method or not; but I have had good luck with the Tru Oil - wet sanding it into stock. Divide the stock into about six sections. Use #400 black wet/dry sandpaper. Put a couple drops of oil on a section and wet sand it, with the grain - using a piece of sandpaper about 2" square. When the oil starts to get sanded into the stock - maybe three minutes or so - then quit and wipe off the excess oil with a clean cloth - wipe with the grain. Let dry. Go to the next section. After about 20 coats, this method will fill the pores of the stock. Much better than just rubbing the oil in with your palm, although quite a few folks use the palm methodfor the final coat. Good luck. Rpskoe