Hj - all the metal must be at finished size and shape to head up the stock. The only advantage I can see to working with metal yet to have the surface finished is that if the stocker made a slip 'o the tool, a scratch in the metal would be easier to fix. This would allow the stocker to work faster, but not with less skill. We aren't talking about the wood surface to metal surface relationship. This is about basic contour fitting. That skill should be a constant between new and restock.