Odies vs Osmo vs Rubio - Search for the ULTIMATE WOODWORKING FINISH 

Hi Drew. Thanks for including us in your comparison. In order to achieve full stain resistance with Osmo it is advisable to roll or brush the finish onto the surface and allow it to dry without buffing away the excess. White pads and rags apply the finish very thinly, and so 2-3 coats using this method will leave behind a fraction of the finish versus 2-coats with a brush or a roller. This means reduced stain resistance as you have found here. Bear in mind Osmo is designed to be rolled and brushed to achieve the highest durability. So to improve the stain resistance we'd suggest to roll or brush two coats onto the surface and allowing the finish to dry (do not wipe the finish off). After the second coat has dried, you can lightly scuff sand the surface with a maroon pad or P320 grit and buff in 1-2 coats using the method you used in this video. Once done and cured, you should find that the Osmo has at least 24-hour resistance to the liquids you placed on the surface. Hope this helps

Nice video. The only thing I wish you added was after your scratch test comparison, if you applied another coat of each product to see how well they repair the damage on both sides of the boards.

Great video! I love my Odie's! My favorite approach is to sand to 400/500 grit for semi gloss , apply one coat of Odie's followed by wood butter or 2 coats of Odie's - and is totally bullet proof! my countertops after one year still look amazing, I had some small scratches but were easily spot repaired! Now my new favorites are the Odie's stains, omg what a game changer, especially for wood floors or outdoor projects- you get the maximum UV protection!

Thanks for taking the time to do this comparison. It was great. I too like to use Rubio. I’ve had zero problems or complaints and it is so easy to apply.

Drew, now that it's summer I'd love to see you do a video, Search for the ultimate outdoor woodworking finish.

What a beautiful gift for his parents to have, a specially crafted table by their son, it’s a stunning build and I hope they appreciate how skilled you are.

This was one of, if not the best comparison video I've watched on the subject. Nice work!

I liked the music - not too loud, not too aggressive and didn't interfere with the voice-over. Good video, thanks for posting.

🏆 Impressive comparison ☝️ Particularly liked the scratch tests on both the wood & epoxy. Many videos on applying, but few show the durability under practical conditions. Really appreciate this one Look forward to seeing more of the channel 👍

Fantastic video. I just subscribed. Note that with Odie's oil, you can easily add a coat of Odie's hard wax on top of the oil. It provides more protection than the oil alone.

Great video!!!...one test I might recommend is a cup of hot liquid...pretty common around dining tables. I'm getting ready to take off a nitro lac finish on a big bubinga dining table-deep scratches, milky clouds from hot items. Love the look and feel of the finishes you presented...perhaps wear and tear and the inevitable refinish is just part of the program...Thanks again for a great video

What a great video! Helped me make a decision about the right finish for my kitchen table. Thank you!

Thank you for such a useful video - it serves as both illustration of application and as a very reasonable product comparison. Producing something like this takes a LOT of time. It is very much appreciated. [and +1 for the music]

One benefit to Odies (those of us who don’t have a proper wood shop) is that it can be applied and especially reapplied indoors- in situ if you will- if needs be to larger furniture pieces.

Excellent video. Very thorough comparison. Thank you so much for doing this.

Thanks for doing this! I'm making a Sapele table for someone and want to use a natural finish so was thinking of trying Odie's oil. I was hoping to find a comparison of other oils so really appreciate the effort you put into demonstrating results of three brands.

I'm using Odie's and Rubio at the moment. I wanted to try osmo, but am glad I caught this video B4 I invested in it. Sticking to the other 2. Mahalo for sharing. Great informative video. Gluck in all u do.

just got odie’s for the first time. can’t wait to use it! thanks for the video!

I just finished a wine cabinet with odies oil. So far, I love it. I liked being able to go gloveless and maskless. However as much as I love it, putting it on a large’ish cabinet was a lot of effort to say the least. Just take off your shirt and flex. Because those circular motions will get you jacked. I’ve also used tried and true on bathroom cabinets and I love it. But, be very warned. If you put on even a micron extra, it can take days to dry. The finished result is smooth and spectacular, but I made 3 cabinets. One was ready in a day, another a day and a half. Another was 5 day wait. However I left them outside, it randomly rained (summer in California. Unheard of) and they all got soaked. But the tried and true had set enough that I wiped it right off. No issues at all. So larger things. I might stick with tried and true because of its simplicity. But that odies oil is pleasant. You just gotta have some time and elbow grease. Ps. I plan(Ned) on using Osmo. But randomly it got banned where I live. But I can drive 30 miles west and it’s allowed. So, that’s stupid. But, California buddy. Welcome! Ps. What killed that fly 12 minutes into the video? You. The finishes? The gases? Is that part of the test? This finish will kill flies?

thabks so much for the effort you put into the video. I am a newbie and seeling Odies examples before I spend half a stack on that jar. love that you selaed something other than wood also.

Watched because a friend has been talking to me about Osmo which I haven’t used. Odies products have been my go to for years regardless of type of wood or other product finishing. Really great common sense and unbiased review of the products you have here - I’m familiar with Rubio but haven’t used in years. Glad to see my Odies holds up to others. Next project I’m gonna try Rubio again and see if I wanna go back there Probably will ask my buddy to watch this video before continuing to use Osmo on tables Very well done!

I'm going with the rubio for our live edge counter tops. Thanks for the video.

Got my Rubio today... looking forward to tying it. Thanks for sharing this test, it sold me.

I NEEDED this video today. Thank you very much!

Thanks for the comparison.

What a detailed comparison. Thanks a lot!!! Really enlightening.

Thanks for making this video it really helped me out. I'm a big odies oil fan and I love walnut wood so I want to try the Rubio.

This is exactly what I was looking for.. Thanks!

great video. I use 2 of these products, mostly with black walnut, sometimes even in combination. This was an excellent side by side comparison. Doing these kinds of tests can really provide useful info

I use Osmo top oil for food surfaces. It does take 3 coats but it holds up great to everything I've thrown at it

Nice comparison. Thank you for your time

This video helped me a lot. Thanks for doing it.

Thank you for this review. The store I work at sells all three of these, so good info for me to have.

Thanks for the info. I’m jut getting into new finish’s. Very helpful

Great test and very useful. I am now a subscriber.

Very useful. Thanks for the testing.

Enjoyed the video, thanks! Got a lot of info out of these comments, too. Love the look of Osmo, but it’s hard to swallow the time it takes - I could get past it for the initial finishing job, but it seems like it’d be the same story to touch up later, too. Gonna have a look at those ceramics I saw you mention that could go over Rubio.

I've used Odie's on the past few projects I've done, namely a coffee table. I'm very pleased with how easily it goes on and how durable it is (i sometimes spill or forget coasters and the surface still looks brand new). I'm thinking about switching to Rubio as my main finish because I think I like the sheen a little more and I think there's a lot more versatility in the color than with Odie's. This video was certainly helpful in deciding if it makes sense to switch between finishes or just stick with one.

This is great info thank you Drew

Great test! I've recently switched to Odie's from Osmo as I thought it was better finish, which you have proved!

Darn, now I have to spring for the Rubio.... but the results are worth it. Thanks for sharing.

Very good demonstration

I had students put together a live edge walnut coffee table. We used Ice Epoxy for the river and Rubio Monocoat Pure for the finish. Because of your video (and a couple of others), we did scuff either a burgundy pad and reapply a 2nd coat. Thanks for the tips!

Only sand for Rubio up to 120. It leaves the pores more open and allows better penetration, which gives better protection. Also using a squeegee to apply it on will allow it to absorb better (it’s akin to using a trowel for sheetrock mud or plaster), as a white pad/cloth/rag will absorb more than the wood, making it difficult for the wood to absorb all it can. Then use a white pad to work it in and ensure an even coat. Use a cloth/rag to remove the excess as it’ll more efficiently do so due to said absorption and will smooth over perfectly on the epoxy. For a second coat, some will say to gently go over it with 240, wipe down, and apply. I’ve had great success with simply wiping down and applying, the chatoyance it’ll bring out in walnut is simply stunning, like nothing else can achieve.

I've been wondering. Thank you!

You are sick dude 🥰 , I love all what you have build, I'm your new fans from Indonesia 🇮🇩

Love the coffee table unique 😊

Thank you very much for the great video

good info thank you. getting ready to take on a challenge, I'm a bit rusty.

Thanks for test

very nice video. thanks

Thank you Drew for an excellent video. I have subscribed. There are many “experts” demonstrating different methods of applying OSMO. They do not include tests for stain resistance, nor mention of total amount of solids deposited with each technique. They only comment on final finish. Some of these “experts” appear to be blatant influencers, despite their strident declarations that they are independent. The OSMO motto “thin to win” obviously contributes to poor stain resistance, so should be reviewed. Perhaps “enough for tough” might be more apt. I will try the OSMO microfibre rollers. I presume wrapping the rollers up in lunch wrap plastic will be the best way to store between coats. The OSMO expert could comment please, as well as cleaning rollers. I found OSMO comments very helpful, thank you.

Love this video , great test , well executed - I am about to switch to Rubio myself (from Osmo) though I do the the Osmo Raw - Eve

Super Helpful!!! Thankyou!

Great video THX.

Excellent comparison. Some folks use Zennheiser Sealer either alone or with a top coat such as spray lacquer.

For ease of application and the added ability to achieve protection at higher grits, Odie’s wins hands down. You get more for less coats. There no mixing of two parts, and no need for rollers or brushes as well. I like that I can sand to 1000 and still get gain penetration. This becomes even more evident when using dark or super duper. The one thing I don’t care for is how it changes the shades of lighter woods. For Maple and lighter woods, I prefer Rubio. It’s worth the extra labor required to mitigate the yellowing that I tend to get with either Odie’s or Osmo. Osmo is my least favorite. I don’t care how it is applied, water still affects it more than the other two.

Great video, I would like to point out that osmo has a 2-3week true cure time according to their tds, and running tests before that time does kinda smudge your durability test results. You are supposed to really baby what it's applied to during that cure window

I always use LIVOS and I never had any of these issues especially after 2 or 3 coats, no marks and nice sheen 👌+ I've been told they are real food safe oils bc 100% natural, works great, I would recommend.

Very good video

Wondered for a sec if this video was sponsored by Captain Morgan! 😆 I've been looking into hardwax oils for my old red oak floors, cause the application process looks so much easier than poly and I like the look more in any case. Thanks for this video! The liquids test especially helped me see what I could expect with one of these finishes long-term.

I can't thank you enough for this video! I am having some white oak pieces built for my new kitchen and these 3 products were the contenders for finishing...I was going to go with Osmo, but now think I'll try Odie's.

Great, neutral comparison, greatly appreciated, ive been using odies but will now try monocoat!

great vid. Rubio looks like the best option of all to me

Nicely done. Thank you for your due diligence. I would be curious as to how the products compare in price. Keep up the good work.

Very good video, thank you, and u have a new sub. One question though, you concluded that you preferred Rubio because of it's ease of use, but it looked easier to apply Odies. What did I miss...or misunderstand?

Thanks for the answer to the question right in beginning: The best smelling Odie's is the way to go ... A scent of any product will accompany tabletop for years...

Great video! Thanks for taking the time to show the protection. I think Odies oil should have been your favorite just because it smells so good😂

Hi Drew have you thought about making some wall art with those pieces..the light coming through them is cool..maybe a box design with internal backlight installed..would look very nice on the wall

This is the best comparison video I have ever seen regarding any product on RU-vid…..period. I bought the Odie’s Oil to refinish a heart pine countertop in my kitchen based on the fact that we use this countertop as a “bar” and open bottles of red wine on it and according to your video…it has the most stain resistance. I can say that I DO NOT LIKE the look of the finish…it is very dark and matte. From now on….I will use pure 100 percent Tung Oil in my kitchen and bath where surfaces are constantly exposed to water and other liquids. It’s just the best and I have never had any issues with it….Give it a try (maybe another video idea?). However, based on your video….I bought Rubio and will use this product from now on for all my furniture. SUBSCRIBED and Binge watching all of your videos.

Don't tell me you didn't notice the dead fly! On oh so many shots! 😁 (also a great video, thanks for the exact comparison I was looking for)

I think cheesecloth would be a good thing to use to smooth on the finish. The Odie board was the best looking of all, I love the wood grain. I use a cutting board oil on my boards about once a month or so, to prevent them from drying out obviously lol. I have a couple of Paderno boards, so I take care of them. Your videos are so professional looking. Well done!!

Great video. Clear and thorough.

I use odie's oil and absolutely love it I have all of their products. If you really want a durable finish. So if you use the odie's oil then the wood butter and the wax as a 3 step process you will have a very durable finish. I would use it on any hardwood floor. I love the way it smells and love the fact you don't have to have a respirator or gloves. I didn't have to build a spray booth or get a respirator. Just make sure to read the instructions and use as directed and it will work as described.

I haven’t used Rubio or Otey’s but have played around with Osmo trying the thin build up over three coats at first and now I trowel it on or roll it and let it soak in for an hour and then give it a buff with a rag. Two coats max depending on application. Trowel for sheets of ply pre cutting/assembly. Roller for second coat post assembly.

I just completed a rift-cut white oak kitchen (cabinets) with Rubio's 5% Smoke. My first time using and I love it. I only sanded to 100 grit (per Rubio instruction) and water-popped before application. 100 grit would be too harsh for cherry, for example, but on the white oak it was a perfect grit. With a 2nd coat of Rubio's the sheen evens out and is flat but not dull. I also used Rubio's on cherry stair treads for a boat. Looks fantastic. I have used Odies (on a walnut river table) but the finish is too dull for my taste.

Thank you for the excellent video. I have been wanting to test finishes for long term color fading. I know that walnut will go blond over time in direct sunlight. Does one finish offer better protection than the other?

thanks !!!!

Hey, It'd be interesting to repeat the experiment w/ everything sanded down to the same grit, maybe remove the dust w/ some mineral spirits and an air gun for safe keeping. That extra sanding on the Odie's would have most likely filled some of the pores.

I would like to see how well odies would have performed with 2 coats.

For an invincible clear finish, use 2 part epoxy, followed by several whisper thin coats of Epifanes High Gloss Marine varnish. It will survive in water, even full sun, and take a beating on the surface.

Hello Drew, nice video! Can you try comparing oldies and livos? You have already used Livos for your exterior sauna finish and the interior, Livos makes a natural linseed oil for countertops and butcherblocks. It would be a nice video.

Thanks for the video. Would you recommend Odie's on a quarter sawn oak high use kitchen table?

Have you had any experience with blackforestwood products ceramics finishing? I'd be very keen to see these 3 products overcoated with the BFW ceramics...

good

Nice stuff; methodical and organized. I appreciated the comparison, and that you went with the manufacturer directions precisely. Should you want to branch out, on my dining table I used Osmo Poly-X and took a page from a boatbuilder friend - I used a French polish technique, using a high-grit wet-sand paper and then buffing the slurry into the wood. Repeated several times - 4 or 5 coats perhaps? That table has been through a lot and doesn’t soak in any liquids. I love the hand of Osmo. But based on your video I’m going to try some Rubio on a project soon. Cheers -

Thanks for the video,. Ive only used Odie's Oil out of the 3 products you reviewed. Maybe I'll try Rubio next time. Whats with the dead fly btw?

Great comparison, I assume all of these are food safe products? Thanks!

I'm glad you had the same results as me, the Osmo is completely a waste of money, I had issues with water damage on multiple clients workpieces, contacted Osmo customer service and got zero help, I had to sand the product off and choose another finish, I don't understand how this product is sold as a floor finish as IMO it's rubbish.

Thanks for the video. Looking at all 3 of these. I used Odies on my last project sanded to 400, found the finish a bit too dull. I know they say you can sand to 2000 or something crazy, liked the application but too dull. Looking Rubio and Osmo, I appreciate the additional info from Osmo on applying and leaving full coats buff and top coat. Ill definitely try that and rubio on some future projects. Great comparisons

Great video! I was wondering if you have ever used Waterlox? I used Waterlox for my butcher block countertops but it was four coats and 24 hours between coats, sanding im between coats! Wow it was so much work and took a week! Do you know how it would compare to these finishes? Just curious. Thank you!

Thanks so much for posting. I have a house that is 1 year old and the floors are done with Rubio pure. I have a big family and a lot of cooking and traffic. The guy who did them said to wait 2 years, but I know they need a refresher, and there are area in the kitchen where it’s looking really dingy and dry. I use wood soap every 4-6 weeks, unless my grandkids come and then it’s more often. There are stained areas that I believe I should use tannin cleaner on. Question is, do I use pure again or universal oil to refresh floors? Or something altogether different? Also what is the best way to apply and then remove? Can I leave areas (like under a rug) alone, or should I do entire floor? If grain is raised a bit in areas do I need to sand? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

Great video. I have used Osmo and Odies. Seeking an opinion here. I am using Osmo hard wax finishing oil in white for the perfect color on my dresser project. I have Odies on hand but not polyx and was considering doing a layer of Odies over the white wax finish ice the Osmo is fully cured. Whatcha think?

Fantastic video!! If you don't mind me asking. What is the music in the background and how to get it? The music is awesome in my opinion.

I use Odies and it works great. I don’t know if you are supposed to use it over a stain but I do. I’m going to try their dark oils and see how that works. Thanks for the testing.

I’ve used Rubios and Odies and much prefer Odies. The biggest difference is having to mix Rubios with the activator. Unless you’ve used it a lot, it’s hard to gauge how much to mix and you end up wasting a lot. Odies is also thicker, which helps you apply it more evenly.

I have a bathroom vanity top made of spalted beech. I used Osmo Wood protector 4006, this gives extra water resistance then two layers of Osmo top oil. Its there 4 years with water on it daily and its now starting to look like it needs another coat of top oil. I don't seem to have issues you have with Osmo. Not sure if you get the Osmo Wood protector 4006 in the US.

How did you colar the center of the block black? The two tone natural and black looks good with a gloss on top

Really cool test the only thing I would say is the Osmo oil was not properly applied, I have done may liquid tests with the polyx Oil on hardwood floors, furniture and never had water marks even leaving water on for 24 hours and not a blemish.

Perfect video all the way around! Thank you! I was already sold on Rubio but I want to try Odies now! Could you do a follow up video of how hard (or hopefully easy) it is to retouch each finish? Damage happens, the ability to repair is *almost* more important than the application! Subscribed for more! 👍