I was asked How I pick out FWI for a Knife by another member.
If this is in a bad place Mods please move it.
The picture of the end shows what is crucial to me in picking a piece for a knife.
The smitty in the picture was made from this piece.
FWI is a tusk so the pith in the center will almost always be smaller on one end. the end shown is the larger end.
I find that putting the smallest end to the hilt allows the shop more room to shape the tusk to the hilt without grinding into the pith center.
The thicker the enamel is the better shot you have of shaping the handle, I asked for this to be a single finger grip if possible. Was told by the shop that in their opinion this was not a good choice for this piece.
That a border patrol was a better choice.
As you can see there is plenty of enamel also to put on a butt cap, most times I go with a butt plate if the enamel is thinner.
I also try the piece in my grip if there will be minimal shaping as there is a left & a right tusk and this effects how it feels in your hand.
This is just some of what I look at others here will chime in on things that they use to pick.