About a year ago, Precision Shooting magazine ran a cover photo of a hunting rifle stocked in a laminate made from an Afican wood, which I think was called Obeche. If I recall correctly, the blank came from Bill Shehane, the rifle put together by D'arcy Echols in some big bore African caliber, and some or all of the stockwork finished by Gene Simillion. It was a different look - respectful of both tradition and innovation. I liked it.
So, D'Arcy and Bill, if you are on the forum, please tell us how that Obeche (?) laminated stock is holding up after a year or so of shooting. Would you recommend it?
Looking foward to your answer.
-- Doc

visit www.scopeusout.com
This is Bill Sheanne's site, he lists the stock you mentioned and he has a email link.

Doc,
The rifle you refer to is one of two rifles we put together for Left handed shooters that wanted one of our Legends. As we only have a right handed synthectic Legend stock we decided to use the blanks from Bill Shehanes laminates and then made a left handed pattern for this purpose.One rifle was chambered for 375 and the one you saw on the cover of Precision Shooting magazine was a 416 Rem. Both have now had many hundreds of rounds shot through them and both have been to Afirca.They do not have secondary recoil lugs but do have crossbolts installed and caped in Ebony.
The stocks have held up very well and are great to work with. Gene Simillion and I have been working on a variety of air brush applied finishes and he spayed the final coats on both rifles.You will not go wrong with one of Bill`s blanks.

Doc,
I am the proud owner of the 375. I am very pleased with how it has held up. I took it to Zim last May and we navigated through lots of dense mopane scrub and it came out in remarkable shape. My computer skills are not up to the task of posting pictures on the forum, but if you or anyone else that wants to see it, gives me an email address I will send you a few images of the rifle.