That reminds me of a story that a colleague once told me. He said that he owned his grandfather's axe but that his father had replaced the blade and...
When stocks were delivered it would be hard to see any figuring in the wood. They were so covered with that awful red stain to make them look alike....
Oh, I know but if I'm not mistaken the military rejects the super nice walnut burl stocks due to loss of strength where as the birch is still strong...