Thank you! We've been in 5 years and have only recoated it with Good Stuff For Wood only twice. Need to again though.

We are good about wiping water up after using sink on the horizontal surface around the sink, but never wipe the edge (around the top of the sink). How careful we are about wiping it up? Neither of us are looking to see if anything is left.

I don't see it as being high maintenance at all. I wipe with Lysol wipes, et al several times a week, or a damp sponge.

As far as using, it seems like I am going to the sink ALL day long! Pets, washing hands, cooking, etc. We aren't heavy cookers on a daily basis (only the two of us) but I think I use it so much during the day (every day) that it evens out.

Love Good Stuff for Wood (link below where I ordered).

I think anyone saying those things to you don't have any experience with wood counters. I know many GW TKO's have them and don't recall anyone saying they didn't like them.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: GSFW

Hope these links work. I can never remember.

These countertops are black walnut, plank style, from Craft Art (I think). They were sealed with Waterlox before delivery 18 months ago. I spill things all the time with no problem. Liquid just wipes up. It is food safe, although I don't cut on it. I clean/sterilize with a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. I love the countertops, although it might be time for another Waterlox application. I keep meaning to look into this.

Any Q's, let me know.

Thank you both so very much for the support and "real life" feedback!!! It's just what I was hoping to hear!

Wow! Now I have another inspiration photo to add to my collection!!! Angelina, you're kitchen is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! How was your experience with Craft Art? DId you order from them directly, including templating and installation?

Allison, who did your island top?

The wood was ordered through a local lumber yard (you tell them how much you need and they order enough for project). It was put together in the shop of the two woodworkers that installed the kitchen and made the trim for the range hood. They've done several other projects for me, from new "old" tabletop to TV equipment niche door made from an old shutter I found. They can make anything! See if you can't find a local craftsman that makes trim, furniture, etc. They should be able to make your counters.

Allison where are you located? Any chance you are near Southern California?

Nope. Heart of Dixie... but DD1 lives in NorCal, so I do get closer now and then!

@kharamarie...Thanks so much for the compliment! I worked tirelessly to research my choices, with much help from this forum.

To answer your question, I ordered the CT through my cabinet company, which was Wood-Mode in the Chicago Merchandise Mart. I suppose they added a finder's fee, but by then I didn't care. Head's up: it was expensive. Craft-Art is somewhere down south, Georgia maybe, so a local company did the templating and installation, subcontracted by Wood-Mode.

One more thing: for aestheic reasons, I wanted the plank style, against the advice of Craft-Art, who said that edge grain would be "harder." They seem to be right, as one drawback to my plank style application is that it dents and scratches rather easily, so it's best not to drag things across the counter (ask me how I know!). Also, if you drop something heavy on it -- say, a large silver tray you are polishing a week after the CT installation -- you'll get a ding.

Fortunately, these are blips I can live with, as I view my kitchen as working space and use it constantly. I'll admit I was aiming for a showpiece kitchen, but this is primarily because it's the first room you walk into from the condo's front door. Weird layout, I know.

Good luck!

Angelina_101

Here is a link that might be useful: Craft-Art web site

allison - That's a great idea! I'll look into finding a local woodworker and supply my own lumber. I'm trying to avoid as much overhead markup as possible!!!

angelina - Thanks for the honest feedback. I, too, love the look of the plank style, but would probably be happier with the hardness of edge grain. I find the edge grain look to be more casual, but that suits me and the style I hope to achieve. I really want to use reclaimed wood for my countertops. Have you tried sanding any scratches out?

kharamarie: there's only one real scratch; the rest are just what I'd call "dents." I suppose I should ask Craft Art about it before attempting a new Waterlox treatment.

As for edge grain, my only real concern was that it would look too busy with my busy cabinets. In a different kitchen, I would have used it!