How do you hand rub?

Maybe in here somewhere.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=what+is+a+hand+rubbed+finish

-- Alaskan's for Global warming!

Zindel
The staring point to a rubbed out finish is to make sure you have plenty of material to rub out. With lacquer I would spray (rattle cans are fine) 2-3 thin coats let dry then very lightly sand with 350grit add 2-3 more coats lightly sand with 600grit hundred repeat and sand with 1000grit then I would use some super fine rubbing compound with a buffer(if you don’t have a buffer you can use a ROS with a soft cloth like a diaper,after that hand rub some good furniture wax and buff by hand. At this point you should have a very glossy mirror like finish. I would suggest you try it out on a sample board first.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Here is a great video of what you are looking for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Ny-s7vSzE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

-- I would drink a river of the kool aid before I took the smallest sip of the tea...

Like Jim said, the main thing is to have enough of a buildup. I used wipe-on poly for my walnut and maple chess table, but it involved many, many coats, and multiple sandings to level everything out. Keep in mind that walnut is an open-grained wood, so it will take a lot of finish (or a grain filler, like Crystalac) to get a glassy-smooth finish.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"