Rob you have 3 kinds of finish,
Shellac; which will not stand up to every day use, water rings, scratches easy. exc. I make that distinction when asking the customer what they expect from a finished product.
Shellac is a quick and gratifying beautiful finish, Very easy to repair mars and dings. It's call these days the Gallery Finish. Because it's great to look at but easily damaged. Mostly used for period pieces after a good cleaning.
Note: Once a period piece has been stripped the value is way down. This is where I ask the customer, now are you going to be using this piece or for show? If you using it then Lacquer is you best for the money. Explain why.
2nd Lacquer; Some are stronger then other. Nitrocellulose is a week product used for furniture which dose not get handled to often. I has a softer finish. will break down sooner under harsh cleaners.
Pre Cat Lacquers; which depends on the maker and solids with in is a harder product, this one I use 99% of the time for every day furniture, It's hard, will with stand water, alcohol, and take harsher cleaners.
Oils; Now oil finishes are you hardest but time consuming to apply {RIGHT}
Boiled Lind seed oil is one of the hardest finishes I have come across. I've worked on period furniture from the mid 1700's with original oil finishes. With a little cleaning and scuffing up and applying a few new coats it's back to beautiful.
Hope's 100% tong oil is another very hard finish that works well on small pieces. Tong oil love to be rubbed in by hand. The wormth of your have drives it deep into the wood at first and with each addictional coat the luster become the best I seen.
Rob so it all begins with examination, determining the finish, what can be used to over coat and what can not be used. Nothing can be put over oil and last !
New work , well that a hole different story. Prep, prep and more prep for a life long piece. Talking good furniture. Like my MLer's They were considered furniture in there day back in the 1700's.
BTW, Sure would like to do a Canoe treck in Canada. LOL For Bear
Thanks Don