Carvers... Stain or finishing preferences...?

Just wondering what you guys or gals enjoy working with when you've got a lighter wood that you want to change the color of. I'm looking to broaden my horizons beyond the Minwax I've been using lately...

With redwood, we burn it, clean it, then apply citrus wax, then buff. Brings out the grain real nice.

Butter and a Torch!!! Pepsi & Urathane makes a great stain too! Experimentation is da kine! Tar and Diesel fuel is old school!! Just do it!