It’s tough to tell if woodworkers’ preference for the open-pored “natural” look is based on aesthetics or the desire to race to the finish line. Pore filler is messy and adds extra steps to your finishing schedule, but filling and sealing the surface provide a look that’s almost impossible to achieve with finish alone. Compared side by side with the “natural” look, it’s easy to see why showroom- quality tabletops, high-style furniture, even wellcrafted boxes receive the extra care of filling.