On ForrestB's G33/40 thread, the issue of too much fancy figure in a stock thus detracting from the overall effort came up. I prefer moderate evenly distributed figure & contrast, no checks or pin knots, quarter-sawn, straight down the top.

I consider these blanks "moderate", definitely not "full fancy" or "exhibition". What do you think, too much or not enough?

Forrest,
right up my alley.. i really like the first and sixth ones!!

jeffe

I like the very first blank and also the very last of the stock but I know nothing, so I will leave it to the experts for final judgement.

Concur # 6 is a nice blank. Not sure about the too much figure concept though, think it depends on the blank, the rifle being built, and how the contrast looks in real life. A brassy contrast would detract, but subtle adds in my opinion. Guess its show me the blank and a judgement call?

I'm not even close to being competent at picking stock blanks, let alone an expert, but I've heard the grain should flow through the grip area to the fore-end. I can't see the complete flow on #5, but it appears as though it might be departing upwards.

Jaywalker

Jaywalker, yes you are right, #5 does flow up through the grip more than the others but it straightens out pretty quickly.

Jeffe, if you like #1 perhaps you'll like this too, perfect straight grain throughout, not enough figure & contrast for me:

I'd take 1,8&9 without even being talked into it.

quote:

too much or not enough

For me they are very nice, but some, including the carved blank are bordering on too much.

Just me and my odd taste

quote:

including the carved blank are bordering on too much

Funny for me thats on the minimum end. Finished that will get very subdued and end up very pretty.

I think a stock can have a lot figure and still be very tastful. There really is no wrong answer here, it's about what you the owner likes.

Here is one of mine, it's going on my dream rifle one day, pinknot and all.

Terry

Forrest,
i think i turned that piece of english's next slab into a two piece stock... or am I thinking of the wrong piece of wood?

jeffe

No Jeffe, that's a wet piece of California English I bought on eBay ($60). The one you cut was dry Turkish, from Chiron, a better piece IMO, and a better buy too.

Terry, I like the blank you got from Denli but that one is nice too.

Hey Forrest, yea it's supposed to be at the stock maker right now, but Christmas tore me a new one. This one I'm not touching. It'll be done 100% by professionals (people from out of town )

Terry

Oh yea, I like the one above the turned blank the best

Terry

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:
No Jeffe, that's a wet piece of California English I bought on eBay ($60). The one you cut was dry Turkish, from Chiron, a better piece IMO, and a better buy too.

Terry, I like the blank you got from Denli but that one is nice too.

Forrest,
i meant the wet english.. i threw it in teh attic over summer!!! yep, i knew I had it's twin

the turkish you gave me, from chiron is on my express and I love it!

jeffe

Well I have to admit the crotch wood is always welcome

It's all a matter of taste and preference. I like all your blanks Forrest, but I can't judge the layout from the pictures. Your taste is very similar to mine.

Terry, your blank is one in a million. If I could afford a blank like that I wouldn't have to make-up all this crap about plain wood looking best.

Other Forrest, I like 1,2 4 and 8 at first blush. I think that #2 is a real sleeper. I like the upswept flow in the butt.

Terry, that blank is spectacular.

I missed Reno this year and getting to see all the you guys and all the wood. I was particularly looking forward to beating Kobe to some good blanks from Preslik. He will gloat over that all year now.

Thanks for the input fellows. My favorites in order are 8, 3 & 2 but I like them all. All except #8 cost between $110-$300. Most are Juglans regia but #3 which is the hardest and densest of all came out of a dry creek bottom near Kerrville, TX. My next project is to restock my Brevex 510 Wells and I will use either it or #8.

quote:

Originally posted by Customstox:
Terry, that blank is spectacular.

Why don't you carve it into something special for me?

Sorry, had to try.

Terry

IMO superfancy wood belongs on shotguns, or perhaps rifles with two piece stocks, not on bolt actions. One thing tht strikes me is that Best Quality sidelock English shotguns from before WWII often have relatively plain wood, the use of exhibition grade stuff on normal Purdeys, Boss, H&H etc is a comparatively recent development.

Terry, call me, I am softening. Particularly after looking at that.

Terry, if you dispose of the Denli blank, I'd be interested.

Jeffe and the beaver are about to dispose uh, I mean turn it.


Terry