When you rub the finish in, more goes into the pores than on the surface. I don't like to do the slurry finish more than the initial time. I recall ten coats will fill the pores but if the finish is very thin it might take more. Not a lot of work, just days passing.
An oil finish is microscopically thin...from the sounds of what you are doing it's not a true hand rubbed oil finish. Oil alone can never fill the pores of wood.
And Brent rotten stone or powdered pumice stone is just for the rub down between finish coats usually done with a wet felt pad. Some use steel wool but then you risk the chance a steel fiber getting in your finish.
I've never saw rotten stone mentioned as a grain filler mixed with oil as a grain filler.
I really don't know why I bothered telling about using a 4000 grit Abralon pad wet with a few drops of mineral oil...this entire thread was started to brag about a project not to ask for ideas.
