Sometimes when it comes to repairing a small nick like this in a piece of furniture, I can find the solution in my son's or my daughter's art supplies in the form of a wax crayon. I choose one that comes close to the color of the surface I'm repairing. Then, using a butane gas lighter like those used to light fireplaces, candles, or grills, I carefully melt the tip of the crayon and let the liquefied wax drip into the nick or gouge. As soon as the wax has solidified, I buff off the excess with a piece of very fine (#0000) steel wool. Often, I add a second color using a different crayon; then blend the two together using steel wool.
So, the next time you've got to negate a nasty nick, well, check with the kids. Most likely, they'll have just what you'll need.
