Shellacs & Oils

Shellac is a quick-drying surface finish used fairly infrequently today because it isn't very resistant to water or alcohol. Varnishes offer much better protection, and the toughest of them is polyurethane. Polyurethane varnish is oil-based, so it may be applied with a natural or a synthetic brush.

Product brands carried are 

Hope, Minwax, Zinsser, Howard, Crown