Pine Tabletop

Hey Everybody!

I've been lurking for a while looking for answers and this site is a big help. I'm finally to a point where I need to stop and ask for answers.

I've made a kitchen table out of Southern Yellow Pine and need to finish it. I want this tabletop to be our "forever" table so it has to be hardened and durable. You all probably know pine is one of the worst woods to finish. My wife and I are not looking for a glossy finish nor a table top that has that plastic/"not real wood" look. No matter what I finish with no-sheen/satin poly, the wood always has a glossy look to it. We can appreciate the variances in colors of the planks that the table is made of, but I hope to come to a more uniform color before sealing it.

After much research, here is what I'm proposing. I'm looking at a 3 step process. Please help me if I am wrong or if you have a better suggestion.

Step 1) Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner
Step 2) Minwax Oil Based Wood Stain - in "Natural" shade
Step 3) (the part I'm most confused on) Formby's Tung Oil Finish