work
poplar is great but its light wood
and the look depend on the sand and the stain
give me a pc of wood , that it has been underground for 10 yrs and i can finish it up to look the way i want
the looks depend on the grain and the hardness of the wood. not on the price
i love maple and poplar and mohogony
and i think aok is out dated now, but its one best wood that takes alot of abuse...........................
wood is like women , you need to know how to handle it and finish it.........
and yes you need to be skilled and know your stuff..............