Hey Cutter, Oil brings out the color and grain of the wood. Especially hardwoods. You soak the project in the oil, then wipe off the excess. After it is dry, you can then add a topcoat.
I do not use lemon oil. I use a 50/50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. Then when dry, I use Deft semi gloss spray lacquer as a topcoat.