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
![Smiley :)](http://www.awgb.co.uk/awgbforum/Smileys/classic/smiley.gif)
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