An interesting post, but pray tell me what do these authors have against the use of vegetable oils for wood finishing? Without doubt all of the 'Best' gunmakers still use a traditional oil finish for their best guns lovingly applied over a number of days to provide the truly beautiful lustrious sheen that is a pleasure to behold.
NOW time is money and if sprayed on poly or varnish finishes can achieve the same lustre ( which it can ) why is it not universally used by 'Best' gunmakers?
As another thought , how much would a valuable antique piece of furniture by Thomas Chippendale be devalued if it was chemically stripped and then sprayed with varnish or two pack?