doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Stock checkerer

I like the look of flat top checkering more than normal pointed checkering. Perhaps because it is different I suspect. I have never tried to cut new flat pattern panel, but have cleaned up and lightly chased old work. Often it does not point up and look great to my eye, so I just keep it flat. But it can not be anymore difficult than checkering some of the Claro or English orchard walnuts, with wide growth rings giving you a hard ridge then butter soft or cotton fluff in between areas. Getting, and keeping them straight and level can be a nightmare. Worse is when you suddenly find an area like that, on a stock you decided to do some silly extra-extra fine checkering like anything over 20LPI.

My worst nightmare was a panel I tried to cut at 28 LPI and hit one of these hard/soft/soft/hard areas. No matter what I did, it kept coming out looking like a drunk pig on ice skates, dancing on ice, in the dark. Tried soaking with extra finish to stiffen the wood, tried cutting the pathway with a veiner, tried cutting it with a scapel, even tried super thin CA glue to try to get the wood hard, then after cutting it removed most of the CA and blended with very thin finish. The CA worked, with all of the above, but there was a slight difference in finish, in that area. In time it blended out with normal darkening from oils an dirt picked up off hand. But I still know it is there. After that I decided that 18-20 LPI is plenty fine enough for me and can only imagine what a job it was when I see anything like a Sauer double I came across with 28 and 32 LPI checkering. Beautiful job, massive panels with countless curves and points, but way above my pay grade.

Dblgnfix, since you’re not turning up a lot of options in the NE I’ll mention Bill Graham’s Nice Old Double Gunworks in Durham, NC. Some beautiful checkering coming out of his shop (and Damascus and twist barrel work that is stunning.) He’s a Guild member.

I’m with Ted. I think flat top is a bit overrated both in aesthetics and functionality. I much prefer slightly “rounding” over pointed checkering on guns that came with flat tops originally. The look is more flattering and the checkering remains somewhat useful. Flat top lines also have to be cut a little deeper to give the good aesthetic effect, simply flatting pointed up diamonds leaves the lines a bit too shallow looking for an “original” look in my opinion.

First of all thank you Brian and Ted for you kind words.

True flat top checkering is very difficult to do there is NO room for errors. I know of only one individual that does true flat top checkering, his name is Ralf Martini. He made his own checkering tools and his work is superb. I've done a few flat top jobs and were good but not original in execution. I modified a spacer tip and a single line cutter to do the work, true flat top has parrel sides and the bottom of the groove is flat also at least that's what I've seen in original work.

Most of my work is done on Turkish walnut or one of the Stans. Turkish is beautiful but can be problematic in that it can have hard and soft spots in the same piece of wood is a very short surface space. It's like a box of chocolates if you understand my meaning. I also do work on California English walnut, that is a general term as it all doesn't come from California. I like California a lot! The finest wood, IMHO, is sourced from France or an area close. It has a subtle elegance that's not in "in your face" but is not likely to have any surprises. So there you have it, my opinion and mine only

I do charge for my work and why shouldn't I? There are a number of individuals in the USA that are highly skilled and do fine work, there also some that are not so skilled, you get what you pay for.

Doug

Plus one on that endorsement...Geo

Thank you fall creek, I'll try to find his contact info. You seem to understand the motive behind my post. I am looking to find a person
to checker the stocks I make or repair, since my checkerer for 20 years is retiring. Thanks

While you did say "northeast", you probably didn't include crossing the border to Newfoundland, but Chris Dawe from Newfoundland is top drawer and has done some fine work for several on here including me. He did some beautiful work on a Manufrance Ideal 16 with 28 lpi for me. Gil