Re vegetable oils on sharpening stones!
Not sure if everyone is aware that some kinds of edible oils available at
your grocery stores will crosslink and harden up to provide a finish?  For
example, walnut oil will harden up and cure with in a few days in warm
weather.  This is an inexpensive, non-toxic finish that you might have a
use for (bowls or whatever).
  That’s why you should always check that the lube oil you want to use on
your sharpening stone will not harden up (crosslink), because no one would
use varnish as a lube, right?
   Some other nut oils will also naturally harden up but may take longer.
Anyway, just double check that there are no additives or anything, and you
can use plain old walnut oil from your local health food store as a wood
finish.
You can even eat a salad out of your bowl before the finish cures and it
won’t hurt you.
Claudio