Walnut oil is naturally high in a key fatty acid called Linoleic acid. This makes the oil penetrate deeply and dry into the wood. This makes for a lot less maintenance. Mineral oil and Waxes have traditionally been used on butcher blocks and wooden utensils. However, waxes have no durability and are washed off easily. Mineral oil is an evaporative oil. This causes much more maintenance since the oil is evaporating out of the wood. Mahoney's Butcher Block and Wooden Kitchen Utensil Conditioner is a one step process.