You probably read it here, in an old thread. There is a good argument that the old stockmakers knew there was more to look for in a blank than figure. If you looks through high grade blanks, you will see that they are sawn such that the grain straightens out significantly at, or slightly behind the wrist. That's why the blanks are often sanded on the upper and lower surfaces, in addition to the sides. There may be as much as an inch extra material on a blank, giving the stockmaker the greatest latitude in choosing where the final piece comes from within the envelope of the blank size.
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