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Click on the pictures to view a full size photo
Here are some pictures taken in the shop, you might think
it is a bit of a mess (OK, it really is a mess...) but I know where every thing is.

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The dark recesses...
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there is a path through here somewhere
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helps to turn the lights on...
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Currently, I have 5000 plus dry blanks in inventory...
 
I have put off building this page for too long.
 Usually when a customer orders a stock in a certain grade of wood, they have an image of that wood in mind.
 It is difficult to explain what I can offer, and this will not by any means show the full range of wood grades available. Hopefully these pictures will clear up some of the confusion, and I will add more as I can.
There is no established standard to grade blanks by (Construction lumber has a standard grading system), and  most dealers have thier own guidelines for grading.
I have seen many blanks poorly laid out (cross grained) yet sold by others as high grade wood. My standards are to judge wood for proper grain flow first. A fancy blank that is cross grained in the wrist is not worthy of the class, and trouble is sure to follow.
 Most of my blanks are 20 to 35 years old, and quite dark, so they do not photograph worth a hoot. These have been run through a planer and varnished to reveal the color and figure.    Since most of my blanks are not dolled up for display, it is not practical to photograph each one, in general my customers trust my judgement when the place an order and 
generally consider themselves satisfied. If you absolutly must see a picture before you buy, I will do so at shop labor cost for the labor involved. 

               Standard Walnut
 
My supply of this is limited. Generally it is lumber grade, slab sawn American walnut.
Most of these trees are pretty puny anymore, and the quality of the wood is not what I would call good. Large gunmakers are going to stained birch, laminates and synthetics for that reason.
 I will attempt to have some on hand for economy stocks, but do not guarantee it. Those of you that want to restore or replicate antique stock woods will not be satisfied with this grade of wood.
I suggest Select Standard for this purpose if it is available at the time you order.

Select Standard

This is standard walnut, selected for grainflow. I currently am running low on this wood, and apparently so are the large gunmakers. Evidence of this can be seen by the use of gumwood, birch and laminates, sometimes replaced by synthetics. Hopefully I will find a supply in the future, but who knows.

Fancy
This is the grade that falls between standard and special select. Compared to the blandness of standard straight grain wood, it stands out, but you should not expect something that will stop traffic. It will show better color and moderate figuring, no less than 30 per cent.
More pictures will be posted when I clean up some examples for the camera

Select Fancy walnut
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             Select Extra Fancy
This grade will show exceptional color and figure, pretty hard to describe adequately. this piece (Claro walnut) shows full fiddleback and very good color, no two pieces are alike, but each will be remarkable in its own way.

Extra Fancy Claro walnut
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Close up Claro
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Special Select
This grade covers the best grade rare walnuts I offer.  Usually Claro and Bastogne, cut from 1970 to 1980 and air dry. Most have been in my father's shop and this is the first time they have seen the light of day since he put them up. Most were cut in Northern Calif. by the same mill that cut for Pachmayr (many bear Frank Pachmayrs initials)
 These are well laid out and of exceptional quality.
 Usually quartersawn, both sides will display equally well.
 These sell in the 500-700 dollar range

Special Select Bastogne
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Spec. Sel. Bastogne Closeup
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Special Select Bastogne
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86 Win DLX Special select Crotch
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Laminated wood
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Laminates-
I can also carve these patterns in Laminates, although the selection of colors is limited until I get an idea of what will sell. These will be priced about like a fancy
walnut. Laminates look kind of odd on a classic rifle, but it is a good choice for a weather resistant stock.

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