Toxic when they touch the skin or are breathed in
Extremely difficult to repair scratches and chips - repair is not for the amateur
Here's an example of an Oil Based Polyutherane finish:
Varathane Ultimate Polyutherane Oil Based Clear
Sealants
Sealants are used to protect the wood from moisture and other elements. They are applied before the finish to ensure that the wood is properly sealed. There are various types of sealants, including sanding sealers, spit coat sealers, and dewaxed shellac.
Sanding sealers are used to fill in the pores of the wood, providing a smooth surface for the finish. Spit coat sealers are used to seal the wood before applying the finish. Dewaxed shellac is also used as a sealer because it provides excellent adhesion for the finish. For food-grade items, we recommend using Dewaxed Shellac as it is the safest option. 
 Here's an example of a Sanding Sealer:
Varathane Sanding
An Important Note on Food Safety and Cure Times for Wood Finishes
When using finishes on items that will come into contact with food (such as cutting boards, serving bowls, utensils, etc.), it's crucial to understand that even "food-safe" finishes require proper curing before they're truly safe for food contact.
Understanding Curing vs. Drying
Drying: This is when the finish appears dry to the touch and no longer feels tacky. However, the chemical processes that make the finish fully hardened and stable are still ongoing.
Curing: This is the complete chemical process where the finish fully hardens and all solvents and potentially harmful chemicals have completely evaporated or been transformed into stable compounds.
Typical Cure Times for Common Food-Safe Finishes:
Pure Tung Oil: Requires 15-30 days to fully cure, depending on environmental conditions. Multiple thin coats will cure faster than one thick coat.
Raw Linseed Oil: Can take 30+ days to fully cure due to its slow drying nature. Boiled linseed oil cures faster but contains metallic driers that make it unsuitable for food contact.
Mineral Oil: Does not cure and remains slightly soft, which is why it needs to be reapplied periodically. Safe for immediate food contact after application and wiping off excess.
Beeswax and Food-Grade Waxes: Generally considered safe after 24 hours, when the carrier (if any) has fully evaporated.
Shellac: Pure shellac (from flakes you dissolve yourself) is generally considered food-safe after about 3-4 days of curing.
Food-Grade Danish Oil: Typically requires 7-10 days to fully cure before food contact.
Water-Based Finishes Labeled as Food-Safe: Usually require 7-14 days to fully cure, even though they may feel dry much sooner.
Environmental Factors Affecting Cure Time:
Temperature: Warmer temperatures generally accelerate curing.
Humidity: Lower humidity speeds up curing for most finishes.
Air circulation: Good air flow helps solvents evaporate faster.
Thickness of the finish: Thinner coats cure faster than thick ones.
Best Practices for Food-Safe Finishing:
Always check manufacturer recommendations for cure times.
Apply thin coats rather than thick ones.
Allow plenty of extra curing time beyond the minimum recommendation.
If in doubt, wait longer. Even a fully cured finish might have some odor, but it shouldn't smell strongly of chemicals.
When refinishing food items, be sure to completely remove the previous finish if it's not known to be food-safe.
Choosing the right finish for your wood carving project is essential to achieving a polished and professional look. When selecting a finish, consider the type of wood, the intended use of the finished product, and personal preference.
Prior to applying the finish,  seal the wood to ensure that it is protected from moisture and other elements. You can find sanding, spit coat, and dewaxed shellac sealers in many different brands that you can choose from.  To apply your preferred sealant and finish, you'll need some brushes of different sizes to get into the grooves and corners of your piece. For this, you can use the  Pro-Grade Home Wall/Trim House Paint Brush Set which has 5 different sizes to choose from for a great price. 
By choosing the right finish and sealant for your piece, you can enhance the natural beauty of the wood and preserve it for years to come. 
