If a stock is bad and had to be totally refinished, after stripping and sanding, I usually use Watco as my stain. They used to have 3 different color walnut stains and one would be very close to what I wanted or was there. In applying the stain, and then wiping it off, I use 400 wet/dry and the slurry fills in the pores and makes the finish glass smooth.
Then I use either a shellac and almost do a French Polish on it or use a blend of boiled linseed oil, spar varnish or tung oil (pure) and mineral spirits. After about 12-15 coats it is a nice finish. Tru Oil gives about the same finish and is basically the same ingredient.
