doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Light coloured wood for gunstocks?

Hi Gang:

For some reason I dislike light coloured wood that is often called French Walnut. I have an older Sako rifle and an older SKB shotgun that have these almost blonde stocks on them.

The SKB is so light that I plan to restock it with some claro. I know that this is a an extreme measure but it must be done!

To me, a gun with a light coloured stock as like having an affair with an ugly girl: it is fine until one of your buddies sees you with her!

Any thoughts about the above comments?

Franch

I don't dislike it as long as there is some grain building a little character.

Why don't you just stain the stocks a darker shade?

Some like blonds, some like red heads and some like brunettes. I like them all and have a hard time choosing one over the others. In many ways you are lucky. Personal taste. If you find light wood not to suit your taste and you can afford to restock it then by all means do so. Neither of the guns you mentioned are classics so no person should be bugged by your actions. Like most, you know that you will spend much more time holding and looking at your gun that you will shooting it so make it look great to your eyes.

Some here hate camo stocks. Some can not stand black kevlar type stocks. I hate the custom painted stocks that make a gun look like a fender on a street rod or a pimpmobile. All according to what turns you off or on I guess.

I like stocks that fit me. I like 'em best if they aren't cracked anywhere.
Best,
Ted

Agreed. It's pretty simple to strip the old finish off, sand smooth, add a coat or 2 of walnut stain, and refinish. It's also a great opportunity to lift the old dents & scratches that you're undoubtedly getting tired of looking at.

I have a very blonde stock on my Krieghoff, and that's what I did with it. The darkest walnut stain I could find and 35 coats of tung oil later, and I'm now very happy with it.

Franchi

I did the same with my SKB and have not regretted it a single bit. I think that the SKB stocks were a type of Japaneese yew wood or some other fairly soft wood to machine easier and cheaper. I used English walnut for the stock and forend. I had the receiver case colored while I was at it and it is now a fine looking double.

I tried staining the original stock and that wood is so porous that it drinks it in really fast leaving blotches.

Regards, Gordon

Hi K&K et al:

The gun that I was thinking about for a restocking project is a SKB 200E that has the receiver deeply engraved with the siver finish. There is also nice engraving on the furniture. The barrels are a very deep black finish that contrasts well with the silver finished receiver.

The gun fits me well and is not too heavy at 7 pounds 0 onces.

I think that the gun would be a real knockout with nice dark walnut installed. I do admire great wood in any use.

Thanks for your input,

Franchi

Recoil Rob:

I did think about the use of stain but I was never pleased with a stained stock plus this stock is quite devoid of any figure. It would be like puting a nice dress on an ugly girl!

Best of all,

Franchi




Franchi

OK, no figure.

When I hear restock I assume you'll have to have a pattern made, big expense but, I imagine, an SKB is a through bolt design so most companies will have a pattern. You have to just do the finishing work, good luck and let us know how she pretty's up.