How did they level a finish?...or didn't they

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rococojo

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I have been reading a lot on finishes and see that most of what I read if not all, states that you must level and rub out a finish to get it to look great.  They recommend using different grits etc, so in the 18th Century was the finish rubbed out in a manner other than french polishing?  I am thinking of the many regular cabinet makers contrasted with the elite.  Was French Polish as common as sandpaper or maybe the finishes were not as level and rubbed out as U an I thinking?
Thanks
John

Hi John,
French polish was invented around 1840, before that bee’s wax was the finish, on top of BLO, you asked in your original post? How did they level a finish?
Well in 1750 as an example, Straight off the plane or chisel, then the cabinet scaper, after a damp cloth: was dabbed in shape sand, and rubbed on the surface, with the grain, that was its way then, (Hard times). Until proper sand paper arrived. 

                                                                      Joseph Hemingway
                                                                                    1968-2008

 
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