The Truth About Walrus Oil: A Guide to Food-Safe Wood Finishing for UK Makers

We feel we need to address the elephant (or Walrus) in the room. Walrus Oil... Are we selling the result of some horrid walrus extraction? No, definitely not!

Let's be clear; Walrus Oil is not made from walruses! At all. In any way.
It's just a clever name and walruses are federally protected anyways (thank goodness). Although Walrus Oil believe their wood finishes are as strong as a walrus, no walrus is used in the making of Walrus Oil.

“The walrus is one of the largest carnivores in the world and is a symbol of unwavering strength,” Darr says. “We’d like to believe our products are just as impressive.”

Over 100,000 Trees Planted Since 2017

Walrus Oil is a member of the “1% For The Planet” organization. It’s an international nonprofit whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes in six core focus areas: climate, food, land, pollution, water and wildlife.

Since day one, a portion of every Walrus Oil product sold is donated to organizations that help plant trees, with over 100,000 trees planted to date. It's the backbone behind our core mission, sustaining the wood we craft, supporting environmental balance, while offering natural beauty and shade for those who come after us. Walrus Oil believe that together we can help keep the world, and the work we love, wildly beautiful.

A Good Story, Brewed in the USA

It all started in a humble garage in 2017 by Dave Darr, a seasoned woodworker and culinary enthusiast, crafting tables and accessories for restaurants. To help protect his work taking daily beatings, he brewed up his first batch of Walrus Oil on a kitchen stove. Customers loved it, word spread, and in less than a year after product launch, he was making more oil than sawdust 100x over.

Is it Actually Food-Safe? (The Science)

Many food-safe finishes in the UK contain petroleum-based mineral oils or drying agents that makers aren't comfortable using for kitchenware.

Every Walrus Oil product is 100% food-contact safe and suitable for the most sensitive projects. It is certified by the American Vegetarian Association and GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe - designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts under the conditions of its intended use) by the FDA. Walrus Oil meets the highest industry standards without compromise.

The Cutting Board Oil, Wood Wax for Cutting Boards, and Cast Iron Oil are also NSF Certified and trusted in restaurants all across the USA.

Every ingredient is listed clearly, right on the label, guaranteed simple, safe, and thoughtfully made.

And, Walrus Oil does not directly use phthalate or forever chemical ingredients in their product manufacturing. And no VOCs or Dyes.

Every container, whether metal or plastic, used in the manufacturing of Walrus Oil products are verified by our suppliers as non-toxic and safe for food contact. None of our plastic containers are made with flame retardants or recycled plastics containing flame retardants or related chemicals. The containers are also BPA-Free and Phthalate-Free.

Ready to upgrade your finish? Browse the full Walrus Oil range here.