Butcherblock Counters - Finish Options

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Susan,
Thank you for your great article and research!!

I'm in the process of installing my -non IKEA- oak butchers block countertop.
I purchased a can of Behandla and a bottle of mineral oil (they recommend it for kitchen utensils and chopping boards) from IKEA to finish it.

I would prefer the mineral oil as it is completely odourless compared to Behanlda which has a strong odour.

Could I use either one?

Would there be differences in:
a.what would be the best wood protection (for moisture penetration, scratch protection and wood maintenance)
b.final finish and surface outcome?

What about using Behandla as the first coat on the untreated wood surface and then use mineral oil for future coatings?

Thank you
Lisa

Does anyone have insight on which finish to choose for maximum prevention of hairline cracks at the edges?

I recently bought a NUMERAR countertop in oak. I sanded and applied mineral oil every other day, and in about two weeks it began to pull apart on both sides at several glue seams, and a 1/8" crack developed in one plank.

I'm going to bring this back into the store and get it replaced under warranty (hopefully!). I have three questions for you all:

Could the dry air in my New York apartment be causing this? Should I humidify?

Would birch or beech be less susceptible than oak to developing hairline cracks?

Should I finish with something other than mineral oil this next time? Behandla scares me a bit, due to the spontaneous combustion risk. What about Waterlox?

Thanks in advance for any insight!

Lawrence