Nice Edges Without Color

[blue duck]

I have read so many tutorials, posts, ideas here and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You are all great teachers and for you folks to share your knowledge is quite rare. I am sure the information I am looking for is here, but after several hours I still can't pull it out. Please forgive me if it is.

I am working with some Horween Natural Essex. I have created some beautiful edges following the many ideas posted here, but basically the steps hidepounder posted awhile ago. [Again, I am so grateful to you.] Now the problem becomes, the client does not want any color on the edges, even after showing him the samples I made for him.

So my question: is it possible to get that nice edge without the color? It seems that there are 'fillers' to help the seam close or maybe just the color to cover it up. What do I need to add to or delete [besides the color] from the basic 5-6 step finish to make it look as nice as those with a colored edge? Something that has crossed my mind is that I am thinking the color is doing more than it really is? It may be, but the sample I made for him had a brown section, then black, then no color. It did just not look like I thought it should. I know I should be doing what the client wants, but I also don't want our name on something I know could look better. So any and all of your suggestions are greatly appreciated.