Sorry fellows, but I see nothing in the above examples that doesn't confirm Richard's advice below.
I know it can be done well. I think Johnbaz on here has done some (old) beech stocks with a stain & oil finish, that are excellent exceptions to the rule.
But generally, beech looks patchy and dirty when it's stained & oil finished. Plus, those horrible yellow 'fish scales' show up like mad.
Been there, done that, sucked up the (rightful) criticism.