[masraum]

I'm surprised about the color change, but also not.

I've seen it in a video (Rob Cosman, I think), and I've seen it myself to some extent. It seems like cutting wood with something very sharp (chisel, hand plane, whatever) produces (at least when raw) the best looking wood. Sanding often seems to dull the color/contrast/appearance of the wood. Now I'm not sure if the dullness is only partially or completely brightened up with a finish is applied. I would assume that applying a oil, wax, or other finish would brighten up a dulled/sanded surface. I don't know if it would ever be as bright as a planed/scraped surface or not.