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Q: Howard's Conditioner vs. Howard's Oil - I can't find any info on what the differences are. Need to season a small block.

Use Cutting Board Oil and Butcher Block Conditioner whenever the wood looks or feels dry by applying one coat of either product. On new or raw wood surfaces, like cutting boards and butcher blocks, make sure to "season" them first with Cutting Board Oil. To properly "season" new wood surfaces, apply at least 2 coats and let each coat soak in for at least an hour. For surfaces thicker than 1-inch apply 3-4 coats. Additional coats help ensure that the oil fully soaks into the wood. After Cutting Board Oil, maintain wood with Howard Butcher Block Conditioner by applying 1 coat and let it stand for at least 20 minutes. For countertops, let the conditioner soak overnight and in the morning, wipe away excess. The conditioner helps protect the wood by keeping the mineral oil in and the moisture out. Butcher blocks can be regularly oiled with Cutting Board Oil or Butcher Block Conditioner to keep them seasoned and ready for use. These products can be used together for best results but can be used alone as well.

Q: do I have to use the oil first or just use the condition with out the oil separate?

I just used this product alone without any oil and it has done a great job in preserving. We did however put 10 coats on instead of recommended amount. We found this to be better preps.

Q: Does this product create a wax build-up over time on your cutting board?

Not so far. Been using it for about 2 months. Wax the board several times to start with, letting each coat dry thoroughly - I waited overnight each time. Now, I add a light coat when I notice that the water is no longer beading up on the surface, or a food is leaving a stain behind. I really like it, although I wish it would last a bit longer between coats.

Q: Is this product suitable for a butcher block turned into a work table? Will it rub off on clothing, make my arms feel sticky, or need re-application?

It's food grade... So you will need to reapply often if you use it for more aggresive purposes... But it's light, Smooth, and works well in my cutting boards. Soaked in quickly and didn't rub into my clothes or feel sticky