What are these marks on our oak worktop DIY hints, tips and solutions to the removal and repair of marked and stained areas

[PaulArch1984]

Hi just having a debate with my wife about some spots on our oak worktop. In the pictures attached would anyone say they’d are knots or are they watermarks of some description? Can these be removed if the matter?

[stoneyboy]

Hi paularch1984
Look like drips of stain used on the worktop - if you scrape them (try the smallest) do they come off?
Regards S

[PaulArch1984]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. I did give it a very light sand but did not remove. That could because I function sand enough but they are flat and appear to under the oil. The do look similar to other knots but I am really not sure.

[stoneyboy]

Hi paularch1984,
If these were knots there would be some distortion of the grain around them so I think they still look like stain splatter. If they are stains under the oil you would need to scrape deeply into the wood to remove them so perhaps it’s better to see them as small knots.
Regards S