Most stockers prefer quarter sawn. Blank #2 also has consistent figure through both sides, fiddleback, good color variegation and contrast. These might be some more "objective" elements in a very subjective arena, but you've already touched on the heart of the matter: it's what "speaks to you" as much as what is appropriate to the gun.

Mike

Tolerance: the abolition of absolutes

Consistency is the currency of credibility