American Black Walnut Kitchen worktops

I think walnut is very suitable. It can be soft though at times so I would take great care in lumber selection.
As for finish, I would use a harder oil, minwax antique oil comes to mind.

-- {Current North Bennet street school student}

David,

I agree with Coopman, walnut is a bit on the soft side; although, it is what I used to build my, yet to be posted, workbench. I finished it with left over teak oil from a previous project. I believe BLO would be similar and not a very “hard” finish. Now that I’m settled in here in the U.K., you’re more than welcome to come by a take a look if you like…

Jason

-- Jason - Aim High!!

Thanks for responding fellahs.

Jason – I would like to very much, would sometime during the week beginning 13th Feb be OK?

-- No one plans to fail, they just, just fail to plan

Due to my career, my wife and i relocated 9 times prior to retiring. In those 9 homes we have had just about every kitchen countertop in existence. Only one was wood, butcher block. It was, by far, my wife’s least favorite. She had to be so careful not to damage it. In the 4 (long) years we lived there, I sanded the countertop down and refinished it twice. As an FYI – I used Watco’s Butcher Block finish each time.

I don’t mean to be negative. Just be advised that if you put in a high usage area, be prepared to refinish it every few years.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

Rich – point very much taken but SWMBO is very precious about her “workshop” as I have gone through the house decorating each room (about half way done) It’s “Shoes off, no dirty clothes, don’t leave a hot cup there”

Don’t you understand, it is for her to look at and enjoy, when it comes to grub time we (me and the boy) will have to mask up and don disposable protective clothing before we are allowed in.

Of course I’m not complaining, just means I don’t have to do any cooking or washing up. I see it as a short term sacrifice for long term gain (;-

-- No one plans to fail, they just, just fail to plan