Here is some of the Hard Maple I have been getting. This one is loaded with curl a lot of it don't show in the pics. This is some great wood to turn and sanding is Great! Easy to get a smooth as glass finish.
It has a Ebony Collar and stands at 6 1/2" Tall X 4 1/2" wide.
Finish is Gel Poly and buffed with the Beall.
Good looking piece. I just turned a deer call from hard maple that has some nice figure in it. You are so right, it turns nice, sands smooth as glass, and takes an even better finish. Nice work.