Fellas,

Think this is worth saving? I haven't seem ebony with curly figure before. Not a bad deal for a seemingly plain block.

Worth keeping if you ask me. If it's not thick enough for a forend tip, cut it in half and epoxy it together so it is. If you don't want to cut it in half, I bet the knife makers could make good use of it.

It's 2x2x6". Good for three fore-end tips with some wood left for caps and inlays.

I've seen quite a number of Gabon ebony with the lighter streaks in it. I've been accused of putting black plastic forend tips when using only pure black ebony, although I still prefer pure black.

quote:

Originally posted by Evan K.:
It's 2x2x6". Good for three fore-end tips with some wood left for caps and inlays.

Then go forth and make 3 rifles because thou has 3 forend tips that need stocks to be put on!

Most hardwood vendors who stock Gabon ebony offer it solid black (more expensive) or with light streaks. I generally prefer solid but streaked tips sometimes look good too, as long as they aren't too streaked. I've seen some pretty high-end vintage European rifles with streaked ebony forend tips (looks more like horn) so I think it's just a matter of preference.

I've done them both ways and prefer solid black for a tip. No right or wrong, just how I like it.

Terry

Most of the black ebony I've seen is listed as Macassar ebony. I much prefer the black to the light streaks when adding a fore-end tip.

Clarence

Just to add some variety, I like the streaked ebony. Solid black reminds me too much of plastic tips.

Dumb question ,but how is is attached to the stock ? glued if so which is the best glue to use ? have a block of Gabon i want to put on my cz550

Look in the gunsmith forum there a post there showing how it is done.

I have a number of fore-ends with both solid black ebony and streaked ebony. I like them both. For me and my taste, it depends on the type of stock wood and the color/figuring of the stock wood, as to whether the fore-end is solid black or streaked.