I need to collect some ideas on different checkering styles/types/patterns - mullered borders, fleur de lis, skip line, whatever. Show me what you like/dislike and help me get some ideas. thnx

Find a copy of Monte Kennedys book for some good patterns. The next checkering pattern I have done is going to be originally done by Leonard Mews. I like multi point designs.

Lots of nice checkering to look at here: http://hallowellco.com/gallery...er%20the%20years.htm

Lots of different patterns to look at in Kennedy's book too.

quote:

Originally posted by Evan K.:
Lots of nice checkering to look at here: http://hallowellco.com/gallery...er%20the%20years.htm

Lots of different patterns to look at in Kennedy's book too.

Thanks Evan, I'll check out the site. What is the name of Kennedy's book?

quote:

Originally posted by setch:
Thanks Evan, I'll check out the site. What is the name of Kennedy's book?

Checkering & Carving of Gunstocks, by Monty Kennedy. On Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Checkeri...ennedy/dp/0811706303

perfect...thnx

I have always had very specific ideas on what checkering looked 'good'. It is my belief that the simpler the pattern with the fewest points almost always looks best. I prefer mullered borders for the skill they take,absolutely hate ANY fluer-de-lis patterns and rather liked a FEW ribbons in a pattern. Do not like either coarse or ultra fine patterns. Prefer pointed to flat topped to the point of just ignoring flat top. Just as I don't think the figure in a stock should overpower the grain flow, and checkering should never over power the total shape of a stock neither do I think the checkering should be so fancy as to over power all. I personally never learned to checker but Louis M'Race taught me to carve oak leaves with great skill which I often did on a stock if requested. Other wise I sent it out for checkering as the customer desired. Decoration is a very personal thing on a firearm.

I found a thread on Leonard Mews that shows some of his work. I must have been bitten by the retro bug because on my next customs I will use patterns by Mews,Goens,and Stegall. I like Mews because his point patterns look uncommon to me,whether true or not,I just want my next rifles to be what I really like. That's not to say my others aren't but I usually tell the stockmaker that I want a point pattern and use his best judgement. This time I'll go a different direction.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/f...Number=318130&page=1