I just bought a stock blank (California English Walnut) for a new rifle. It will be used for a "big bore" .40+cal.

I don't know much about grading of wood (which seems highly subjective) - I only went on what the wood dealer told me...

I was looking for 1/4 sawn and "honey and straw" contrast with straight lines through the proper areas (specifically the grip)...

Question is... What SHOULD this piece of wood have cost me??? What is this blank worth???

Your input is appreciated... as I still have the opportunity to send it back...

PS - the blank is shown with water on it - no other finish applied.



Right Side (the visible knot is shallow and would be removed ((not visible)) in finished stock)






Left Side




Bottom Side (butt is to your right)




Top Side (butt is to your right)




Help me!


I need to decide whether or not to keep it.

I would say that you got a $500+ piece of wood (if the pipe knot comes out, which I think it will) and it is relatively dense and leathery as opposed to open and brittle. What are the dimensions of the blank and how long has it aged (seasoned)?

The colour and figure are nice and I think that it will give you a more marbled appearance once it has been finished. The fiddle back will also stand out better. I think that is a nice piece of wood you have there. I have seen people pay much more for a piece like that, but without it being in my hands in front of me, I’ll have to leave my estimate where it is at. Once you get into the higher priced pieces, evenness or density and texture play a big role in pricing and it is too hard to tell this from a photograph.

NG.
sent you a PM

nice stock..
jeffe

That is a very good looking blank IMO, just the right amount of contrast and the way one should be laid out. Who did you buy it from?

I like that blank. I would say its a 500 dollar blank give or take a little.

Was a blank similar on dressls for 625 if I remember corretly that looked a lot like that blank

Thanks, guys

To answer your questions.

I bought it from dressels. On sale... look at the page it's on here http://www.dressels.com/id61.htm and tell me if I got a $500 blank for $500 or if I got a $900 blank for $500? It's ER7-8.

Dimensions...

2&1/4" in width
35" in length
6&1/4" from the top to bottom of the butt.

my pictures were taken in the house after dark. Here are some outside this morning and maybe it will give you a better view of the color.





So, did I get a "good deal" or a "fair deal?"

Pics and stock blanks always hard to judge, I just went through the exact same business, with selecting a stock. Lightining seems to be everything, very tricky at best.

I think you did a better job with the pics than Dressels did. From the there pics I probably wouldn't have bought the blank, but when you wetted it down, and redid those pics its a nice blank.

Definately worth the $500, you paid, that is almost entry level into nice english blanks, I just paid $600 for one, maybe a tad more color in the buttstock.

What are going to put that on? Big bore what? Looks like a good start.

NG,

I think you paid a vey good price for a very nice blank. I wouldn't have paid $900 for it but I'd sure love it for $500.

JPK

New Guy
I'd say you got a great deal. I'm sure if you wanted to sell it for more than you paid you could find a buyer. The first three things I look for in a blank are:
1 layout
2 LAYOUT
3 LAYOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Color, contrast, and figure are the farthest thing from my mind when I first inspect a blank. You have my first three covered VERY WELL and have a tastefull and balanced amount of window dressing that definately meet my #4,5 &6!
gunmaker

That's a super blank for $500. Generally, I think the Dressels are a little high on their asking prices, but some of those they currently have marked down are a good buy.

Make good use of such a pretty blank. I'd use it in a heartbeat on any rifle.

Great grain flow! It's worth all of $500.00