Personally as a kit pen maker I don't use anything other than makers guidance...I am limited to the plateings on offer ie Gold, Chrome, nickel or Titanium sometimes stainless steel. As to material choice, all woods are usable, again for resins or acrylic then it's down to what's produced or cast.
Customer preferences I suppose can be a big factor, but it's always good practise to know your markets before you make anything