I had a birch stock that I didn't like the blotchy grain pattern that wouldn't take an even stain. So I sanded all the finish off, and burned the surface with a torch. And then lightly sanded to smooth and even out the color a bit. Then stained it with a dark walnut stain which went on really evenly giving it an antiqued look. And then put a coat of Johnson paste wax in the yellow tin on top of that for a smooth satin finish.
Turned out pretty decent looking.
If it has a more even colored wood grain, then I think they look good with a lighter, shinier, golden color, natural finish.
