If you like his work. DLW. Now under $5K. .338-'06

Beautiful rifle!

That is a ton of rifle for $5000.

Why would anyone pick a blank like that with the obvious flaw when they are about to spend a lot of cash to have the rifle built.

quote:

Originally posted by lindy2:
Why would anyone pick a blank like that with the obvious flaw when they are about to spend a lot of cash to have the rifle built.

Turn enough blanks and you will quickly learn what you see on the outside of a blank is not always what you get when you take the chips off. I have had issues like that turn up more than once that could not been seen before a blank is profiled. It is in a place where it could be(maybe has been) stabilized.

That is interesting in that Dave seemed to be very quick to point out wood flaws. Who knows, Steve may be right, flaw revealed itself and client said if it is not critical proceed.

Yes Lindy
I would reject that stock because of the embedded branch. As some of you may recall, the rifle was offered for $14,000 plus before being lightly used. It was not a cheap or even a middle priced custom. As such - no flaws, stable are expected especially ones so obvious as this.

Mr. Bertram, Blank dealers worth their salt almost always offer a return guarantee for the flaw risk reason mentioned. Any surprises, it gets replaced. Seems like a stock builder would do the same.

On the other hand the butt stock has very nice grain play and it has potential in that a shorty front end could make it into quite the custom if one wants to pay the price to do so at this level. Had this been built by someone else in this industry, Dave would have said to throw it in the burn barrel. It is better than that, much better. But, $14 grand better? No. $5 grand-ish? You decide.

quote:

Originally posted by skb:

quote:

Originally posted by lindy2:
Why would anyone pick a blank like that with the obvious flaw when they are about to spend a lot of cash to have the rifle built.

Turn enough blanks and you will quickly learn what you see on the outside of a blank is not always what you get when you take the chips off. I have had issues like that turn up more than once that could not been seen before a blank is profiled. It is in a place where it could be(maybe has been) stabilized.

I see 7 ultra close ups...mayhaps there's a "defect that's out of the field of view?

Steve is right on the money with hidden with bark pockets, shakes, splits, you name it..Fancier the wood, more the the chance of unpleasant surprises

Not ALL (even well known) wood hawks will willingly replace a blank. Spoken from experience..." Still a serviceable blank" Send it back an I'll "repair" it"

quote:

" Still a serviceable blank" Send it back an I'll "repair" it"

Seems reasonable so long as it is clearly made known ahead of time that is what will happen, and of course that a discount is then given for the now lower grade blank.

I'll not get into the long story, but these are quotes to me personally from Calico Hardwood and Bill Dowtin. No "preamble" was given either time

Anyway..the defect is not visible on my screen...where is it?

Scroll to the right, nasty knot in the forearm. I missed it at first but I can blame my age.

Beautiful butt for sure.

I wouldn't want that stock at any price
though.

Just before Fajen shutdown. I got one that
was quite nice. had an inch crack on the toe.
Called the lady and "send it back I'll send
another one right out".

"IF you're going to trash it, I'll pay $15 and
take my chance's on fixing it as I need two
and can't afford both right now".

Called and told me I could have it for the $15
once she saw it. Prettiest of the two and I got
the piece chipped off and glued back on well
enough it can't be seen.

For a hunting rifle stock I'm happy with it.

This one I'd be concerned about later warpage.

George

quote:

Originally posted by rglenz:
Scroll to the right, nasty knot in the forearm. I missed it at first but I can blame my age.

AH got it! Yep...Kind of a deal beater.

Probably 9 times out of 10 it would make no functional difference, but it's definitely an unsightly defect on something that that was purchased at great cost for its' aesthetic value. If the owner paid full price and got stuck with it, he was well and truly seen off, that's for sure. The pity is, that blank would have been show quality as the buttstock half of a 2-piece stock.

Half way down the fore end? Can't believe Dave would let this pass.. Even if client "wrote it off"...Cients are not ALWAYS right

Knowledge was known well before the final shaping. That being said, they client likely gave a green light, or should’ve been given notice.

That is 'if' the client did actually give him the green light. I question if there ever was an actual client. If there in fact was, did said client give him the red light?

As I recall, this same rifle in as new condition was offered right here by the stock maker and then after a few months on Ralf Martini's site in the same condition for at least several months at $14K or possibly a bit more. That came as a surprise since I thought he only built to order. I'll send Ralf an email. He'd know the exact scoop.

Conjecture is a moot point . It is what it is...move on

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
...Clients are not ALWAYS right

Hey buddy, that’s not what we agreed to!

Yabut..I have very smart clientele

Moot point(s) aside.

1. Not worth $5,000-ish. Check.
2. Un-repairable to the point like it was never there? I say check.
3. Shortened fore-end with an ebony tip added and a re-contour and re-checker feasible? I say yes.


Thanks.