Your end result on how the wood finishs is all in the prepwork,I take wood down to 800 grit than make a slurry of almond oil and Rottonstone (tripoli)burnish the wood until it gets quite warm with the slurry and a soft cloth.
Wipe down well than I use multiple coats of renwax,Have used beeswax in the past,but ren works well for me.
You can buy pre-mixed beeswax in liquid form.
You just cannot replicate the old world look of fine hardwoods with polys and plastics,JMO
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Bloomparts.jpg