Most of my SR scales are of "unsealed" timber. What I do is apply beeswax to the timber. I prefer beeswax as it is more natural and doesn't give a high gloss finish. Americans like glossy things, so beeswax might not suitable for them.
When I first receive the SR, all timber surfaces get about 6 applications of beeswax. After that they are rewaxed about every 6 months. An alternative to beeswax is timber floor wax (also mostly beeswax). Each application is apply, rubbing well in, allow to dry about 30 minutes and then polish.
If interested, I will provide instructions.
I agree, particularly about the feel. Most of my timber scales SRs are of various Australian hardwoods, except for the Burmese teak. Most are rot resistant, however just about all timbers can swell to a certain extent when wet. Beeswax helps to prevent this wetting effect yet still leaves you with the natural feel of timber.Some species of wood are naturally resistant to rot.
Out of all of the various scale materials,
the one that feels the best in my hand
is unfinished wood, sanded smooth but otherwise unfinished.
....