KingsFleet finishing products

KingsFleet takes a uniquely Canadian approach to not only finishes but the business model itself, stating on their website that “KingsFleet Inc. was founded by people who feel more at home in nature than they do in the office.  Our values reflect the spirit of self-reliance and self-sustainability that is shared by all those who appreciate the tried and true practises of those who came before us.”  Based in Saskatoon, SK their vision is designing premium Canadian products to promote sustainability by encouraging traditional practices of protecting, restoring and maintaining quality goods.

Starting off, with the broad scope of finishes I tested, I can’t unequivocally claim one finish is better than others over the long term.  However, my testing focused on ease of application, curing time, and resulting appearance.  All finishes were tested on solid pine, and red oak plywood.  Some were also tested on wood turnings.

Boiled  Linseed Oil  – available in 16, 32, 64 & 128 oz

• Quick drying and curing time, leaves a lovely soft to the touch surface, with a noticeable warm gloss finish. Nice even finish with no noticeable splotching.  Also great for protecting metal from rust and leather from drying and cracking.

Cutting Board Oil  – available in 16, 32, 64 & 128 oz

• Takes about 24 hours to fully cure, sometimes longer depending on the wood, leaves a nice natural feel to the wood with no grain raising, good penetration, and leaves a matte finish. Ideal as a first step finish to be followed by food safe wax.

Cutting Board Wax – available in 3.2 & 6.4 oz tins

• Used a lint free cloth, generously applied after applying cutting board oil, buffed after 24 hours. Leaves a nice water proof and glossy finish that feels nice in the hands.

Danish Oil – available in 16, 32, 64 & 128 oz

• One of my all time favourite finishes, the KingsFleet Danish Oil has a very minimal odor unlike some other brands, application is an easy two step process to avoid splotching. Leaves a perfect natural finish.  Some grain raising on the pine, but nothing a few swipes of high grit sandpaper and another coat can’t handle.

Hemp Oil– available in 4, 16, 32, 64 & 128 oz

• Was my first time using hemp oil, so not sure what to expect. However it acts very similar to the cutting board oil, leaving a nice matte/natural finish with a  24 hour cure time.  It’s a great alternative if you’re looking for a natural organic food safe finish.

Pure Tung Oil – available in 16, 32, 64 & 128 oz

• Fast drying and leaves a warm, rich finish, but does require a light sanding and repeat coats to get a smooth surface. Definitely one of my favourite finishes, I also did my bench in Tung Oil and absolutely love it.  However, it does take time to properly cure, so it’s a finish you have to be patient with.

Quick Oil – available in 16, 32, & 128 oz

• Incredibly easy, one step finish, dries fast and leaves a semi-gloss finish. Similar to Wipe On Poly, but even faster drying time if you’re in a rush.

Traditional Linseed Oil – available in 16, 32, 64 & 128 oz

• Traditional or “Raw” Linseed Oil is another great natural oil that can be used on food safe finish, or children’s toys. It is a simple wipe on, let absorb and wipe off any access oil that penetrates well and leaves a silky smooth natural finish.  It may take time to cure, but well worth the wait.

Tool Handle Wax  – available in 3.2 oz tins

• I tested the Tool Handle Wax in 3 capacities, first on the general pine and plywood surfaces. Both left a nice natural finish, however would be best suited as a top coat over a penetrating oil finish.  The second and third testing areas were on turned wooden handles.  The first handle was sanded to 220 and the wax applied.  Which left a nice glossy finish which was dry to the touch and ready to go.  Lastly, I burnished a second tool handle with wood chips after sanding up to 220 and then applied the wax.  There was a definite difference in overall smoothness, but still immediately dry to the touch and ready for use.

Wipe On Poly – available in 16, 32, & 128 oz

• Wipe On Poly has traditionally been my go to finish for furniture or anything that requires a durable surface, definitely requires light sanding between coats, and depending on the abuse the piece will go through extra coats may be appropriate. When applied properly will leave a gorgeous semi-gloss smooth finish that can take a lot of wear and tear.

Hard Wax  – available in 3.2 & 6.4 oz tins

• Like the Tool Handle Wax, I applied the Hard Wax in 3 different capacities. The pine and plywood surface finishes would definitely require a base coat of a penetrating oil and then have the wax applied over top with a good buffing to get an ultra smooth finish.  For the turned handles, again the first I sanded up to 220 and applied directly, which left a beautifully smooth and glossy finish.  Next, I sanded the handle to 220 and burnished it with wood chips.  After the application I found the wax had to cure overnight, as it was still a bit tacky to the touch, however by the next day it was perfect and feels great in the hand.

Teak Oil – available in 4, 16, 32 & 128 oz

• Another great restorative oil that soaks into the wood fibres and leaves a rich warm finish. It’s highly recommended for antique restoration, floors and furniture, so I’ll definitely be trying it on those soon too.

Granted, many finishes I’ve used or tested over the years all have their good and bad features, but having the opportunity to explore finishes that you’ve never used before is something I’d recommend to everyone, it certainly broadens your horizons, and opens up new possibilities in your woodworking.  Of the 12 finishes I tested from KingsFleet I have to say I found all of them to be of excellent quality, well packaged and easy to apply.  Already, I’ve begun using their finishes on projects beyond this review and look forward to using them again and again.

KingsFleet is still releasing new finishes including a recent exterior Deck and Timber Oil, which hopefully I’ll have a chance to take a look at in the near future.  KingsFleet prides themselves on being a Canadian finish manufacturer using Canadian ingredients while upholding the goal of providing a quality and sustainable product.