Cherry Flavored Walnut

[Double J]

Why is it that some stock makers will start out with a pretty walnut blank, then mop on some stain to make it look "better"? Lots of nice wood gets killed this way. Walnut flavored maple is common too.

 

[Scorch]

For some reason, some amkers persist in trying to make a perfectly acceptable stock look like an ols English rifle. The Brits used to use resin from a tree mixed with their linseed oil that turned it reddish. For a while, every other maker wanted that look on their rifles. Don't know why.

There is an association in some people's minds going back many years between blonde stocks and cheap wood, so makers stained maple to look like walnut. Gun folks are slow to change.

 

[johnbt]

I think it's because they buy lumber by the railcar load and pick the finish that will cover up the flaws in the worst pieces.

John

 

[mtnbkr]

There is an association in some people's minds going back many years between blonde stocks and cheap wood

I'm guilty of that myself. I don't limit that bias to gun stocks either, unfortunately.

That said, I've seen some very nice looking blonde maple stocks in the past few years. My Osage Orange stocks on my S&W M10 are nice looking as well. I'm coming around...slowly.

Chris

 

[srtrax]

I've over heard people talking about the red Winchesters, so they make em as red a they can. I for one think walnut should stand on its own with nothing but a clear finish. I've also read from a lot of professionals that a stain adds beauty to a stock, i just cant get myself to do such a thing! Anyway, if its straight, wild or burley, as long as the pores are filled and has that sheen your after, its part of gods work and natural.....gets my vote.