Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats English Walnut Blank

Well, many of you have read my misgivings about English walnut on these pages as I chased down curly cherry, northwest black walnut, eastern black walnut, etc. Well I bought a piece of English walnut to give it a try again and I must say it looks nice and the wood is dense to say the least. This piece was very affordable [just what I wanted since I was so undecided], and I really like it for my working class custom I am putting together.

[ NZ-Walnut, Brian Kerr ] is the supplier/dealer. Hopefully we do not flood him with anything but serious inquiries. I believe he is a small operation. Great guy, and perfect customer service. I actually never spoke to him. He handled everything via e-mail, including other pictures of his wood. The piece I originally wanted was already sold. Shipping from NZ was fast, and only took 7 days.

Tell me what you think about the piece. I know it is not very marbled, or streaked, or figured, but it has a little of each just like I was looking for.

333 OKH,

What grade is the wood on his scale?

I understand folks want the figure to look the same from both sides. How well does this blank do "in the flesh"?

thanks...jim

It matches really well, I just got too much sunlight on one side in my pictures. The blank is amazing and it only cost $250 US dollars. I could not recommend him more. I am a Californian and it blows the California wood away for density. This would make an excellent big-bore rifle too.

I was thinking that just a bit of light would make a real difference in the photos, that is why I asked. I am looking for a blank.

We did my wife's rifle stock on an English blank, and it looks good. I was dinking around looking at photos of Turkish stuff, but this is certainly a better deal. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

jim

Brian Kerr is the owner and is easy to deal with. Write him an e-mail with the price range you are looking for and tell him Dan passed the message along. You will not be sorry. I am glad another gunsmith passed his site along to me.

Dan,

Thank you.

I was going to ask my cousin in NZ if he knows him too...jim

I think I was missing the boat trying to find wood in California for twice the price. I know this isn't exhib quality wood but I paid for straight grain no color California and got the above blank. He sent several pictures of other blanks that were very nice too. Look below for a $450 piece. I passed only because I have particular taste in figure and color and this one didn't pass the redhead test.

Hate to say it, but aren't you concerned about the excessive crossgrain runout? It looks to my eye like there is still plenty running up into the grip, though it is impossible to be sure without a picture of the bottom edge... Heel is doubly weak for the runout and straight grain flow.
art

I had Chic Worthing take a look at it for the same reason and he said it was of no convcern on the gun I was planning. I choose my above blank for other reasons.

Well, all righty then! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> It will make a pretty one!
art

Lets hope! I know my blank is not the most figured, but this is the type of wood I appreciate.

I finally went with what I liked, knowing that most people would want more to the wood. However, I will not be selling this rifle, and it is being built to my specs at 6'8" tall with a 6'6" armspan.

333
I understand your concerns about the stock that fits... You have me by 4" in height, but I have you by quite a bit more than that in wingspan... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
art

WOW Sitka...and I get jokes!

I see your point on rifles then too!

I see your maple rifles, do you have all of yours done custom? What length of pull do you use?

333
PM sent

A brother is 3" shorter than me and has much longer arms yet!
art