This is the only way I've laid out checkering. I learned this from Bill Knechtel while he was teaching a checkering class at Pete Grisel's Sturgis shop back in '97. Bill could layout and checker a pattern with wraps and ribbons in 8 hours. The method of using rubber cement works great and I've never had it react with the finish. The knife lines through the paper make a very accurate defined line to follow. Most of my patterns are 3-1 so the wrap over the grip has the points line up in the right place. It also makes the top rear point on a wrapped forend pattern not so razor thin.

On the bottom of the grip, Dymo label tape really works well...thickl enough to easily guide your scribe


I use the 3/8" width

I appreciate the detailed pics... this is awesome, thanks!

Just like plowing, if you are not 90 degrees to the headlands there is a tendency to turn in as you get close to the end and next thing you know you have a big hook at the end of your furrow. I like the way you knife in the lines to help keep you headed in the right direction. I've read somewhere of someone doing the same with a pounce wheel. I use a piece of scotch tape, running the tape along my current line and cutting a line with a knife or small scribe on the other side of the tape. Not that my work is even close to being in the same league as yours.

Keep up the great work.

John