Don't laugh, this is my first serious attempt with briar. I purchased some second hand, unfinished mini bowls that were rough cut from an estate. They required a lot of sanding/polishing and were good for practice. The holes in the shanks were offset. Which was no issue as I cut the tenon from the bamboo to be offset to compensate. I did not stain this, but used cutting board conditioner, (bees wax with medical grade mineral oil) -which is amazing stuff. Some of you seem partial to no-stain, go natural, etc. I seem to prefer that as well.
BTW, short pieces of large diameter bamboo makes for great pipe stands.
BTW, short pieces of large diameter bamboo makes for great pipe stands.