I cut and shaped a pair of scales out of walnut. They are looking good and I'm happy. I sand them smooth to 220 and I prep for staining (Minwax dark walnut).

Everything seems to be going fine till about ten minutes later when I wipe off the stain. One scale looks very dark, almost black, and the other is a reddish dark brown. Same wood. Same stain. Different colors.

What's going on??? Did I miss something? Right away I start wondering did I use the 220 on both scales.

Could that be it? Or is is more likely just the wood?

I could use some advice from the wood gurus.

Thanks,