I'm interested in what types of exotic hardwood people like the most. I'm partial to exotics with a light color and a dark grain, like tigerwood. Thoughts? Also, does anyone know of a stain brand or type that brings out the grain without affecting the color of the wood too much?

I'm partial to woods from the U.S. or Canada.

Neutral stain.

Hickory comes close as any to tigerwood. Love the tigerwood too. More time consuming to install than hickory though.

@Stephen - Good to know! Why is tigerwood more time-consuming to install than hickory?

@Howard - NEUTRAL stain! Of course!

They're both a pain because of the extreme variation in color from plank to plank. See the first few pics on my website slideshow, front page. And back aways is some hickory five inch. Click on picture to read info.