Mike, I obviously don't know the exact situation with your split lure but I will say that wood being a product of nature is not 100 % predictable. There can be flaws in the wood that are undetectible under the surface. Maybe you got one of the few that may have had a check in the wood somewhere, but I can see how upset you can get seeing how they are supposed to be tested before you buy them. Nothing is perfect. As far as your other notes about the different cuts I won't comment on them, you are more familiar with them than I.
This thread is very good and I really wonder if that was a real email Patrick got, maybe the guy is too embarassed to respond to the forum.
And Saltheart, you found Gibbs' for $6.50 at Worcester. You bargain hunter you, I bought some there and paid 9 each. I gotta follow you around the next show
