I also use a dip tube, easy and nice finish. But I am now rubbing in a urethane varnish on a pair of cherry burl reel seats. Started w/ 3 coats , one a day, of boiled linseed oil. Then using Minwax gloss 50/50 w/ thinner, I rub on a coat again one a day. Using a clean piece of old t-shirt I lay it on heavy and rub it out thin. 0000 steel wool the next day and repeat. Rub on finishes are by nature THIN coats built up slowly over time. It is the best solution for the cherry burl , since it has numerous tiny pits. By using the rub on method I am able to fill those pits, one tiny layer at a time , and the daily steel wool application prevents a heavy build up of varnish on the rest of the seat. When the last coat is done and the seats are smooth I expect to rub it out w/ rottenstone and oil and wax w/ Butchers.
AgMD