Reading peoples' preferences and thinking that many types of wood are more likely to change after being put on handles...and that stabilized wood eliminates that problem.
However, some woods are not susceptible to being stabilized. I have been told that ironwood can be difficult to stabilize, but it is generally considered to be pretty stable once it is air dried.
Thuya and maple and walnut can benefit from being stabilized.
[Note: "Somebody" told me not to submit maple to the shop unless it had been stabilized.]
Just sharing for posters to think about.
We don't have the option in this build to send in stabilized "Customer Wood," so for that reason I still vote for ironwood. Also, because ironwood can have some very nice color and figure to it.
Larry
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Larry W. Williams
RKCC #CM-041
ABKA #046
RKS #1246