Dymondwood...easy to get, easy to work, STABLE, lots of variety, can take anyone's abuse, looks good, polishes beautifully, very economical, etc. One thing I really like about this stuff is the visual effects of the layers that you can't get with anything else.
Stabilized wood...same as above, except looks GREAT, seems that the stabilizing enhances chatoyance in a lot of woods (most times) but is also significantly more costly. STABILIZING MUST BE DONE BY EXPERIENCE, QUALITY PEOPLE....if not it will be gummy, soft, spotty, etc. especially on spalted (rotted) woods...a real PITA!!!
Natural wood...easy to get, not so easy to work, desert ironwood, bubinga, and other really oily woods clog belts (I will not use cocobolo), Ebony...LOVE IT. Not so stable or durable...again depending on species. Usually looks great and relatively economical....depending on species.
Horn, antler, ivory, etc....SMELLY!!!!! but absolutely gorgeous!!!! Quality stuff is always EXPENSIVE!!!!! Somewhat stable if aged.
Micarta, G-10, carbon fiber, corian, other composites.....SAA Dymondwood just more expensive and working with it is a challenge. Fiberous composites cover you with fine dust due to inherant static. Can also be very itchy...wear a long sleeve shirt w/a button up collar. Is also toxic if heated to melting or burning point. The other composites that are not fiber reinforced are more like working Dymonwood/stabilized wood.
I use and like all of them for different reasons and applications. I also always were a respirator no matter what I'm working with.
Hope this helps.
PZ