Wood stock blank grades/exotics

[Sniper338]

When talking wood blanks for stocks. How does the grade/price work?

I'll use maple as an example because its what I like.

Burl
Curly
Tiger
Quilted
Birdseye

Theres seveeral different types, which order is cheapest to most expensive?

Then within each type of maple I assume there is a grade of A, A+, A++, exhebition grade... or something if the such??

So im assuming you pick which wood pattern you like, then pick how detailed the pattern is basically?


Just curious and thinking...


Edit: not expedition grade... yall know what I am getting at though... posted this on 3 hours of sleep... lol

 

[Eddie Harren]

I'd stay away from that "Expedition" grade as you could get lost without a qualified guide!

 

[Sniper338]

I'd stay away from that "Expedition" grade as you could get lost without a qualified guide!

Im not getting anything. Just trying to figure out how it all works

 

[rkittine]

I have a cousin that owns a stand of Black American Walnut and sells high end stock blanks. The more rare (both type and figuring) and the more consistent (one side as good as the other) usually dictate the value / price. Remember the 4 "Cs" buying a Diamond. In BR Stocks like in Diamonds, the weight can effect price too, where lighter is worth more than heavier. Some highly exotic wood also is not very strong based, on the grain pattern. Although I have paid a lot for some exotic stocks, I am then afraid to use them and maybe nick them. Sometime Orange Crate wood makes the most sense.

Bob

 

[butchlambert]

I've bought several English walnut blanks from Roger Vardy in Australia. He is the man! http://rogervardystockwood.com/
Go to his product info page. Some people do not realize that a piece of wood may be dry with the meter, but not cured. Roger's wood has dried and cured for 10 years minimum.
I always tell Roger what type rifle and caliber I'm building and he emails photos for me to look at. The money exchange rate is in our favor by a long shot at this time also.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

I'd stay away from that "Expedition" grade as you could get lost without a qualified guide!

There isn't much that gets past you yet is there grasshoppa? LOL

 

[Eddie Harren]

There isn't much that gets past you yet is there grasshoppa? LOL

Still like to poke a little fun at those who seem like they can take it. How you been?

 

[joshb]

Curly
Tiger
Birdseye
Quilted
Burl
Might be Burl then Quilted.
My best, by memory. My brain is a sieve, these days. I pick thru the racks at Home Depot and find Tiger striped boards for the price of plain. I would not use Burl for a stock, ever.

 

[JRS]

Curly/tiger are the same, and sometimes referred to as flamed/fiddleback.

 

[JRS]

Birdseye Maple

 

[BenPerfected]

Check out Cecil Fredi http://www.gunstockblanks.com/

 

[Sniper338]

Birdseye MapleView attachment 1023480

Is that that long bow you had custom made?

 

[6MMsteve]

if you can burn in the color on maple like some top muzzle loader builders do, imho it makes them look amazing, a gunsmith I knew his son built muzzle loaders and he always burned in the mixture on the wood it's a time consuming process, the end result was fabulous.

 

[Fast14riot]

if you can burn in the color on maple like some top muzzle loader builders do, imho it makes them look amazing, a gunsmith I knew his son built muzzle loaders and he always burned in the mixture on the wood it's a time consuming process, the end result was fabulous.

That's aqua fortis that gets flame treated. It chemically reacts with maple and the heat to really make the figure stand out.

 

[JRS]

Is that that long bow you had custom made?

Yes,

 

[Hal]

JRS

Looks like a work of art. Very nice.

Hal

 

[JRS]

JRS

Looks like a work of art. Very nice.

Hal

Thanks!

The limb veneers are nicely figured Myrtle.

 

[Sniper338]

Thanks!

The limb veneers are nicely figured Myrtle.View attachment 1023534

I still got the info... just no extra money to get one made. Id love to have one..or two

 

[JRS]

I still got the info... just no extra money to get one made. Id love to have one..or two

Shop around. I purchase most of my exotic woods from Cooks, or Savage.

 

[Hal]

JRS
What glue do you use to hold everything together ?

Hal