I saved my old emails and this is what Doc said about the finish:
"Wood- no stain, not needed. I soak it with a thin soaking oil until the wood won't hold any more (now available at Track), let dry for 2-3 weeks then use Laurel Mtn Forge stock finish, really a very pliable varnish, putting on a coat, then steel wooling off, then repeating until slick and pretty 9maybe 6 times), then wax."
Tom