For those that are interested Gene Simillion has begun to import some thin shell walnut blanks from Turkey. I tend to not get bent out of shape when it comes to blank selection but this time may be the exception. He has imported some fantastic blanks. He has no web site. The shop phone # is 970-641-1126

Thanks old man! How did you pull yourself away from the lathe??

D'Arcy,

Now dog gone it! You guys are going to push me over the edge---> Again.

Many Thanks

HBH

D'Arcy,

Thanks for the info. I'd like to restock my 375 H&H one of these days. I'll give Gene a ring.

Maybe you should give Gene Lisa's contact info...

BTW, are you going to be at the SCI convention this year? Lisa and I were just discussing going tonight and it would be nice to stop by and say hi.

Take Care,

-Steve

D'Arcy - I think I can guess the answer to this, but I'll ask it anyway. Any idea of the price range of Gene's blanks? Also, does he have the capability to e-mail digital pictures?

This topic has a lot of unknowns. Grading wood is difficult. Perhaps someone will find some links and even pictures of stocks?

About 35 years ago I bought a blank sold as Turkish Circassian walnut. It has a lot of streaks of color in it and has stood up over time to the recoil of a .375 Improved. So I ordered another blank from the same source and it came again with good strong grain thru the pistol grip and other weak areas and real fancy figure in the butt area. However the figure was not the same level on each side!

I paid a lot for that blank back then. I was disapointed and I just dropped the project and put the blank in the rafters for three decades. Finally I found out about laminating stocks and thats where it is right now.

So what I am saying is that it's hard work picking out a blank. It might be good to get the smith involved in the selection and to send it back if your not sure.

Perhaps some experts like D'Arcy and Customstock will help us with how to buy a stock blank.