wooden plugs. Grain or No Grain?

[nor-easter]

I am not a plug builder but I have bought a few in my life time and have had a few wrecked by the fish that strike them.
To me, a plug showing its grain indicates a rough finish job and possible trouble ahead. Dependent on the way the grain is running makes a weak plug or a strong plug. I really good finish indicates to me a plug that is most likely sealed well and will not dry out and become weak in time.
Weak dried out open grained plugs can come back shattered, crack and broken. Through wires of course save the fish. Pined plugs can break apart and sometimes you are lucky to get the front half and fish back.
As noted above, I am not a plug builder but over the past half century plus I have had my share of problems.
However, taking into consideration the waters I fish, the currents present, the size of the quarry, and the tackle used, it is really amazing that more stuff does not break.