Reply by CessnaPilotBarry

Along with the previously mentioned sharpness on hand and power tools, you can also sand figured birch and maple to a much higher polish. I’ve sanded them to 320 and 400 dry, then 600 and 1000 after sealing with 1 lb shellac or lacquer sanding sealer. With other woods, this is a waste of time, but it really lights up the flames.

My first experience with figured birch taught me the difference between sharp for oak and walnut, and sharp for figured stuff, on my jointer and thickness planer.

How are you going to finish it? Finishing highly figured woods can be different…

-- It's all good, if it's wood...