Are they Maple and Ebony? I like the lighter color better, and think the grain is really very nice. It looks for all the world like Big Leaf Maple Burl - like the stuff I'm working with now on a little project of mine. Yeah, if it were mine I'd go light.
I've got a number of old straight razors around here somewhere. I think the number is three. I should dig 'em out so I can hurt myself. Without intending to of course. I'm just a little clumsy...on occasion.