Testing finish

[Mauser06]

I have a piece of cherry wood that there is no like wood available to test. 



It's in a plank and I have a fair bit of extra width. 


Would it be a problem to scrape the side smooth and test a few finish methods on it?? 

If I do the left side of the butt, I have a good 1/2" of wood that'll be removed. 


I can't see it effecting anything or penetrating more than a little bit.  But wanted to check before I ruined it.  Lol. 

Mostly want to see what I need to use to achieve the look/color I am looking for. 

[Joe S.]

Rip a piece a 1/4" thick off,you said you have a 1/2" to spare.Then cut the strip into swatchs and have at it.When I had my blank picked that's what I had done and plan on testing different finishs on a few till I'm happy.

[Mauser06]

Thank Joe!   Thatd work just as well and I won't "find out the hard way" just how deep a stain can go...


Realistically once I lay out the stock  on the blank that's likely going to need done anyways..In a few places.  Have a 2 3/8" stock and 1 1/4" buttplate... Vertically I don't have much to work...Width I'm going to have some extra.