These are two California English blanks that I looked at today. They are still owned by the guy that cut them, and he claims them to have been cut in 1998, and air dried in his shop since then.

#1




#2



What do you think, and what do you think they might be worth?

He drives a hard bargain and wanted to charge me extra for the shoe.

Should add that blank #2 has a pretty good sized knot running from top to bottom, 4" or so from the butt, so the end would probably have to be cut off. It is still plenty long though.

Blank prices are in the eye of the beholder and the seller, especially the seller. There is often no real differences between two blanks that one guy wants $250 for and the next guy wants $600 for one just like it.

That said, I'd put the top blank in the $250 to $400 range, I'd definitely buy it at $250 and think about it at $400. The second blank is pretty ordinary to me, I'd put it at $150 to $250. This is one man's opinion, take it for what it's worth.

I pretty much agree with what Gatogordo has posted.

Top blank is prettier, and the bottom blank is the one I would buy, if priced accordingly.

100-250 for the bottom, 200-400 for the top

I would actally make a 2 piece out of the top one, but that's jsut bc i have a 2 piece project in mind.


jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
Top blank is prettier, and the bottom blank is the one I would buy, if priced accordingly.

I would actally make a 2 piece out of the top one, but that's jsut bc i have a 2 piece project in mind.

Hmmmm......my assessment would be just the reverse. Top blank has straight grain through the forearm, and gentle down sweep through the wrist. It's also unencumbered by any knots and limbs that are evident in the 2nd. I think a stock can be cut without dipping into the light area.......but I'd bet the blank is cheaper because of it.

I'd say the 2nd was a candidate for a 2 piece.

Let the confusion begin.....

Only the first blank interests me.
First lets look at it right side up...




The blank doesn't give you a lot of room to maneuver with regard to layout, but it doesn't look like you would need it. This blank looks dead straight in the forarm (the way I like it), has very nice flow through the grip and good figure in the butt.

This blank shows better on the right side but, if you're right handed, shaping the cheekpiece on the left side will provide much more figure. The finished stock should turn out very well balanced.

It's got some sapwood at the bottom that shows through to the right side. That doesn't look to be a problem. If the dimensions are suitable then I wouldn't have any qualms about using this blank.

Personally, I think it would make a beautiful blank for a light caliber rifle; but there's nothing I see in the layout that would preclude you from using it for a bigger rifle.

This is not a cheap blank. I'd pay $600. Dressels (ed. - and a bunch of other dealers) would charge $1000+ for this blank.

Charley, my consulting fee is normally $500. I'll allow you to buy $300 in raffle tickets for the Scholarship rifle in lieu of my normal fee.

I'm with Forrest, I like the first blank.
I don't know what their worth, but the top one definitely a $400 plus blank.

I don't like the knot in the second one. It ruins the grain flow IMO. If the bottom pic had the same grain flow as the pic above it, I would prefer that one.

CAS II,
If you don't mind could you ball park the asking price. I am having a diffcult time putting a price on a blank.

Forrest,

Thank you for editing that photo for me. Unfortunately my computer at the office doesn't have any editing software, and I have to upload them straight from the camera.

I agree with you about the first blank, it is the one I will get if I choose to buy it. BTW, I dropped a check in the mail today for some tickets.

One thing that should be noted is that these blanks are very large. Both are at least 42" long. There is a ton of room to spare to work around the sapwood.

These photos are also without any mineral spirits or even sanding to make them look nice. The top blank will probably have quite a bit of depth once finish is applied. It is definitely a LOT nicer than a $400 blank, as some have suggested.

For comparison, here is an $1800 blank from Dressels:

J_Zola,

The guy told me to make him an offer. I will probably return tomorrow with a handful of cash, and I suspect I may leave with blank #1 for substantially less than Dressels would ask for it.

I think the first one is gorgeous!

CAS, you probably shouldn't show him the Dressel blank.

I like the look of the first blank more than the Dressel blank but also there's no way on earth I'd pay $1800 for that particular blank.

PM me with the number of tickets you want and I'll make sure they go into the DSC drawing. Your check probably won't get here before I leave for Dallas. I want to make sure you get a chance to win one of those knives you got for us.

Good Luck.

Interesting this would turn into a lets bash Dressels thread. I could find a lot nicer piece of wood from Dressels for less money than the example pictured. Another thing to consider is when Paul grades the wood you see on the web site he's also looking at how many mineral lines per inch are on the top and bottom of the blank, something you don't see in the pictures. This is an important consideration. A blank can have two really nice sides, but if the lines aren't close together on the top and bottom of the blank when it's turned, it'll look bare and not show much figure. This is because when you see the blank you're only seeing the wood in 2D. Conversly, a blank may not have it in the looks dept on both sides, but have tons of streaking in the center can be a real gem when turned. One last thing to consider. This guy has what, 2 pieces of wood? What does he guaranty? Dryness, no sapwood in the pattern, no internal flaws,etc.? What if you have problems, what are your options? Do you get the other piece of wood nobody seems to like?

Like everybody else, I like the 1st one much better but the sapwood does scare me. It'll be interesting to see what the owner feels it's worth. I bet he wants a lot more than $400 for it

Lots of things to consider when buying a blank.

Terry

I don't really see any Dressels bashing. I've been looking at their site doing some online shopping and I too have seen a lot of wood that seems high priced, IMO of course. I know pics aren't always the best judge but they aren't meaningless either. I know a guy quite well that is as nice a guy as you could ever meet that sells rafts, boats fishing gear etc but his prices are through the roof compared to others. Doesn't mean he's a bad guy just means there is better bang for the buck to had elsewhere.

I can assure you the name Dressels wasn't brought up as a compliment. Let's not play word games.

Terry

Terry,

I don't think any one is bashing Dressels. I hope you're not taking my comments as a bash at Dressels. I like them and I've bought plenty of blanks from them. I'm just offering a comparative analysis to justify a purely hypothetical price.

I absolutely agree with you that we can't make a final determination between two blanks just by looking at 2D photos. In fact, CAS' blank may be far superior to the Dressel blank or vis versa. We just don't know.

Both blanks in question look to be quartersawn blanks, so what you see is pretty much what you're going to get when they're shaped.

I still stand by my statement that there's no way I would pay $1800 for that particular Dressels blank. They have plenty of others I might buy but not that one at that price.

Here's my best advertisement for the Dressels. This stock started out as a $1500 blank from the Dressels - it was worth every penny.

I'm certainly in no way bashing Dressels, merely trying to compare a similar blank from a reputable seller.

From what I have seen, if Paul and Sharon grade a blank high, it typically turns into a pretty nice stock. I've nothing but positive things to say about the Dressels.

quote:

Originally posted by TC1:
A blank can have two really nice sides, but if the lines aren't close together on the top and bottom of the blank when it's turned, it'll look bare and not show much figure. This is because when you see the blank you're only seeing the wood in 2D. Conversly, a blank may not have it in the looks dept on both sides, but have tons of streaking in the center can be a real gem when turned.

Terry

There is a little gem of knowledge to store away! Thanks Terry!

ForrestB

Nice deer and Nice rifle.

Well done on both counts.

Apologies to all.

Terry

First off I don't want to start something !.

A blank is worth what a person is willing to pay for it !.

I sold a highly figured Circassian Walnut blank many years ago about 28 comes to mind .

Sold it for $ 242.68 with shipping to a Austrian gun maker for a Drilling project the Blank was XXXX Extra Fancy Display Grade .

It cost the customer $ 1,200.00 !. 28 years ago !.

I happened to be at a Gun Show in Texas some 8 years back and saw the Gun on display from a High End dealer . I inquired as to the history as it was a Beautiful Drilling with engraving the whole ten yards .
Was I surprised when I found out WHEN AND WHO made the Gun !. I saw the original order receipt !!!.

So if YOU feel the blank is worth $ 200 or 400 or what ever your willing to fork out then purchase it !.
Remember the Economy is on YOUR side so bargain !.

Oh for the record I thought I was stealing money at the price I sold some of those Blanks for !. They make for poor lumber but wonderful stock material !.

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

quote:

definitely a $400 plus blank

Charley, I will let you decide what the plus value is.

I would not pay Dressel's $1800 for the blank shown, it's just not worth it to me. Mostly due to personal tastes.

I did buy a $600 blank from them, and I am extremely satisfied with it. But then it has everything that I prefer.

If you want me to put a dollar amount on the top blank. From the pics, I would easily pay $600-$800.

I would pay more for the bottom blank IF it didn't have the funky knot and grain flow.

I can't tell how much feathering each stock has, that really increases the price of blanks. Personally, I do not like alot of feathering. I like dark quarter sawn blanks with mineral streaking and good grain flow.

That stock of Forrest's mannlicher is absolutely stunning, but it has too much feathering and sun burst rays for my liking.

That's why Gatorado's statement is spot on.

Both stocks look to be functionable, but it all comes down to your preference and what you are will to spend.

I don't know what price you will have to pay for #1 but I would buy a truck load of them at $600 and it would be a bargain in my mind. But I am very attracted to it and it colors my judgement. I also think that Forrest has probably purchased more blanks than I have over the years and is more familiar with current prices. I love #1 and would not even consider #2.

Forrest, this is another compliment on your incredible full length stocked rifle. I have looked at that photo a number of times and I have never even taken a close look at the size of that deer. Lauhing right now as I type. He is incredible and I never even took much notice of the rack.

ForrestB

I don't mean to be rude by hijacking this thread for one question, which is,

ON your Full length stocked rifle, is the forend stock metal custom made or was that an item that was purchased somewhere? If so, where?

Duane made that cap. I have a photo somewhere of the cap being made. I'll try to find it and post it for you.

I agree ForrestB that is a great looking rifle just a crazy question why don't you see big bores with stocks like that ? Bill

Occasionally you'll find a full-stocked big bore. I've seen 375's, 404's and 458's with full-length stocks. Sako made some 375s with full-length stocks.

I have an itch (becoming a rash) to build a full-stocked 9.3X62

I am with you Forrest I have a itch also for a full stock big bore. I just bought a CZ 550 today and may consider restocking it next year. Nothing better in life then fine looking wood ! Bill