how to fininsh a live edge?

Well, are you describing the process of working with live edge lumber or what type of finish to use with it?

I’m happy to help any way I can here.

-- Inspiring Your Passionate Pursuit of the Craft

This depends on the final look you’re after. Some try to retain the bark. This is a mistake as it will usually turn loose later. Some take the bark off while the piece is still green and some wait til the piece dries some and the bark loosens. This depends on species. Difficulty in removing the bark varies from easy to very difficult. Depending on species, stage of drying, time of year harvested, and character of the connection of the bark to the wood (i.e., curly, burl, straight-grained, etc.) pressure washers, draw knives, bark spuds dental tools and wire brushes are tools of chioce.

Here’s some walnut flitches I did with a draw knife:

I’ll leave it to the buyer to finish them to the desired look.

-- Wonderful new things are coming! - God

first thanks for the info on different ways to leave the live edge and the photo, second i am interested in what finnish to apply. it sounds as if its a bit of an experiment with each piece of lumber, thanks again

-- the journy of a thousand miles begins with a single step " Lou-Tzu"

Well, the bowl I did where I left the live edge reinforced the edge with thin CA glue so it wouldn’t fall off as it dried then, after I sanded the surface (not the edge obvioulsly) I just used a spray lacquer over it. ended up real nice.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken