I think without knowing what the size of the blanks are in comparison to the finished product its a bit hard to judge that knot may be a pin knot and flat go away once final shaping is done. Ditto with the sapwood on that blank. I like number 1 if all the bad stuff turns out during final shaping. If it can't turn out, I'd go for number 2 because while it has a bit lesser figure the strength is better. I also think a bit depends on what gauge this gun is. Just my 2 cents worth.
Also for what its worth, the second bland appears to start out quartersawn and then the top of the rear of the blank on one side looks slaw sawn to me. To me that makes the figure inconsistent from side to side, although once again during final shaping it my be 100 percent quartersawn throughout the blank.
Last edited by tut; 07/08/15 04:02 PM.
