When we built our house, the bride chose this really funky oak flooring. I basically have a museum of wood ailments and diseases on my floor. Worm holes, knots, spalling, you name it. it all seems solid except for one piece. I'm watching that one with glues at the ready.
But we couldn't find the same sort of, ahem, character for the spiral staircase treads and landings. I had to go on the hunt for crappy oak. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find 5/4" crappy oak?
I finally went to the Wood Mizer site and started calling. I found this guy who has this log he's been meaning to mill that has all sorts of knots and flaws. My requirements are pretty minimal. I told him that I would prefer knots in place but that I could take branches and cut the right diameter and make my own knot insert and fill with epoxy. Small empty knots are fine. Voids and cracks are fine. Basically, I want his firewood.
If I get something, basically the first thing I will do is mix up a lot of dyed epoxy and fill holes. Since the stairs lead to my basement shop, I want the surface smooth so they are easy to sweep.