Hi Derek
I like the shape on the first one also. I've found with the pyro texturing the wood needs to be around 5-6mm thick to keep a cleaner edge.
Looking at the texturing, there are quite a few flat spots. When I do this work I use high magnification glasses to help reduce this.
The second I'm also not over keen on the shape, but the effect is something else
In fact out of the two piece's I'm voting for the second one! Due to the ripple.
I could see the second one working with the pyro texturing and all sorts of things.
All the best
Ed