#2271052 - 06/23/08 03:18 PM
Premium Walnut Blanks
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Higbean
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Registered: 01/26/08
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I live in a part of Northern California that has some of the most sought after walnut burl in the world. One of my customers has a business selling walnut gun stock blanks to gun manufacturers. I did some work for him last year and was going to trade for a big slab of walnut to make a dinning table out of. Turns out my wife isn't into it as much as I am. So I talked to the guy today about picking out some stock blanks. Asked him about price and he said they start around $30 and go upwards of $400-$500 for the premium stuff. Does this sound about right?
I know he sells to all the big name gun mfgs, as well as Cooper, Kimber and a bunch of premium shotgun makers. I really have no idea about what questions to ask and what to look for in a piece of wood. Any advice?
Edited by Higbean (06/23/08 03:20 PM)
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#2271083 - 06/23/08 03:34 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: VAnimrod]
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LRF
Campfire Regular
Registered: 01/16/05
Posts: 640
Loc: Minnesota USA
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"Good wood don't grow on trees"...it costs money and a lot of it. A show blank for $5 bills is not too high. As VAnimrod said pics help but remember you have to choose, if your work is worth what he wants for his wood.
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#2271100 - 06/23/08 03:41 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: Higbean]
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Rangr44
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Registered: 02/12/08
Posts: 154
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Higbean - Check out the blanks pictured in this hyperlink.
http://www.oldtreegunblanks.com/
Look at the stock outlines chalked on their sides.
Stockers use a plexiglas pattern (it's easier to see what grain is where)because they look at many stocks, but you can make a cardboard silouette, cutout in the shape of the stock style you prefer, and hold it against the side of any prospective blank.
Take a wet sponge in a ziplock bag along with you, and dampen the side of any blank to see almost what it will look like finished.
It's best to have the most "figure" in the butt, with the grain running as straight as possible through the grip section (for strength there).
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#2271219 - 06/23/08 04:35 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: Rangr44]
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Higbean
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Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 160
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Well, here is the deal. I will go over there and pick out roughly $700 of wood. He has a whole bunch to choose from, so pics aren't gonna happen until I have them in hand. I have seen some of the rifles in his collection that he's had done, and they are as nice as they get. I am sure he will be real helpful in picking them out just wanted to do a little research before jumping in to a deal like this.
Should I be worried about how I store them? I wouldn't be sending them off right away.
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#2271245 - 06/23/08 04:46 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: Higbean]
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prostrate8
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Registered: 06/19/07
Posts: 847
Loc: North Texas
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I'd look for rootwood.
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#2271545 - 06/23/08 07:24 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: prostrate8]
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Gordo
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Registered: 07/19/07
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Root wood is pretty wood, but not gun wood, it has no strength,
Edited by Gordo (06/23/08 09:18 PM)
Edit Reason: change
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#2271554 - 06/23/08 07:27 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: Gordo]
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Gordo
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Registered: 07/19/07
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. Thank's
Gordon Smith
Edited by Gordo (06/23/08 09:16 PM)
Edit Reason: change
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#2273581 - 06/24/08 09:20 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: Gordo]
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dempsey
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Registered: 02/14/02
Posts: 551
Loc: Hardy Creek, MT
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I would choose wood that is already a few years past it's cut date. I would be sure it's at least 2.25 inches thick. I wouldn't take anything with poor layout. Ideally the grain should flow from the toe of the stock sweep up through the grip and straighten up thru the forearm or end up slighty sweeping upwards. Of course not all is ideal but should be suitable. I would also eliminate wood with excess warping. From the price range I'm guessing it's Claro. Should be fun choosing.
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#2287515 - 07/02/08 05:09 AM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: TC1]
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Gordo
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Registered: 07/19/07
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Yup, even I have to admit when I see a very nice stick, the one on the sink is a knock out if it's as good on the other side, very pretty, great lay out, last Dec, I cut 1600 of that quality, out of 4000 trees to choose from, I chose 145 after cutting off limbs to see color, Great pic's, thanks for sharing, got to go,planing hi grade blanks this morn, Regards Gordon, Old Tree Gun Blanks.
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#2290506 - 07/03/08 03:40 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: Gordo]
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TC1
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Registered: 08/28/02
Posts: 1517
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Yup, even I have to admit when I see a very nice stick, the one on the sink is a knock out if it's as good on the other side, very pretty, great lay out, last Dec, I cut 1600 of that quality, out of 4000 trees to choose from, I chose 145 after cutting off limbs to see color, Great pic's, thanks for sharing, got to go,planing hi grade blanks this morn, Regards Gordon, Old Tree Gun Blanks.
Hey Gordo, here is the other side
I got a picture fron Chic Worthing the other day. The pattern and blank have been shipped to the duplicator. I hope to have back hunting season.
_________________________
The finer things in life aren't things.
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#2291113 - 07/03/08 09:12 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: TC1]
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Gordo
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Registered: 07/19/07
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TCI,Very nice balance on that blank, not one sided,a rare piece now day's and getting harder to find by the day, those type blank's are a thing of the past, I know, because I cut it, that blank depending on who is selling it could go for as much as $5000, I sell blank's in that class between $1500 to $2000, blank's of this quality do not go on my web site, they are saved for repeat client's that want the finest walnut in the world, Turkish cant compare to fine California english, go to my home page and read all about it. once again congrat's on a special piece. Gordon Smith Old Tree Gun Blank's.
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#2291163 - 07/03/08 09:54 PM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: Gordo]
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remfak
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Registered: 02/18/06
Posts: 326
Loc: CO - A place called Paradise!
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Go take a look at this....
http://www.patsluxuscooper.com
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#2291336 - 07/04/08 04:24 AM
Re: Premium Walnut Blanks
[Re: remfak]
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Gordo
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Registered: 07/19/07
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Yes I know about the :),look at the prices on the english blank's they have,:),I think if they sell it it must be real special,:(, it's to bad that a,lot of Turkish wood is ROOT wood, yes pretty but not gun wood, to soft, take that then steam it , to cure it fast then you have a blank that I will have to replace, just a mater of time, and the buyer is now out thousands and can not get his money back, I see it all the time, then theres the Turkish that looks good in the picture on the flat surface but is cross cut as bad as 30 degrees, not straight through the grip area,there are also some Italian gun makers that are strugling because some gun they made with some Turkish blanks are breaking, with a life time warrenty these gun makers are having to replace the wood and stock work for free to there clients, guess where there buying there wood now? :)as Paul Harvey would say, now you know the rest of the story, LOL,got to go practice shoot my bow today for up coming elk and deer hunts, you all have a safe and great 4 th, Regards Gordy
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