Ash is an imported wood, not so much for its decorative value as for its strength and whippy nature. 

White ash is open-grained, with distinctive rows of tiny open pores that show up even when it is painted or heavily stained, though they are more pronounced on European ash. 

White ash's good shock resistance has always made it popular for tool handles and sports equipment, but make sure you use straight-grained pieces, as ash can splinter where the grain curves away from a cut.