I like Flexner's book. He actually seems to know what he is talking about,
rather than just repeating what he has heard.

But, I don't entirely agree with his claim that BLO can't be considered a
finish. For items that won't get wet or see much use, it is enough of a
finish. I just did a large cherry cabinet, putting BLO everywhere, and a
few coats of varnish where it might get some wear. It was too large for the
basement stairs, so my son and I carried out the walkout basement door,
slightly scraping it on a rock in the process. A little fresh BLO, you
can't tell where the scrapes were. Try that with Varnish. (maybe shellac,
but Flexner doesn't think too much of shellac either.)

I "think" dye would have obsured the curl on the curly cherry, but it would
certainly be worth experimentation.