For years I cut crotch wood to get the best figure in the butt stock. After reducing the crotch to 2.5 inch slabs I then layout the wood for great grain in the wrist and a good butt. This can yield some mariginal blanks. I held one very fancy piece for 43 years because it would only make a straight stock ( not enough wood for a pistol grip) This year I had a single barrel LCS trap gun come to me with a straight stock. The original stock had been trap shootered,aka butchered! It now wears that43 year old blank and looks great!

Bill