http://doublegunshop.com/bill_dowtin_stock-blank-pick_082304.htmhttp://doublegunshop.com/phiatt2.htmhttp://doublegunshop.com/phiatt4.htmhttp://doublegunshop.com/phiatt.htmFour good articles from this site. I bought a lot of expensive firewood before I figured out most of what they say in these articles. From what I learned from them and my own mistakes I can give you a few free lessons that I learned the hard way.
First if you are buying on the internet you need six clear detailed photos, one from each side and full right to return the blank. Second any grain flow from side to side or diagonal when viewed from above or below is to be avoided. Third bark inclusions are always bigger than you think so watch them in crotch blanks. Fourth one sided blanks, fancy grain on one side only, are a dime a dozen but some one sided blanks will become two sided when carved. The trick is recognizing them if you can. Fifth do not buy kiln dried wood over air dried. Six dry does not mean ready to use. Wood needs to stabilize after it is dry. Every blank in my wood pile which is ready to use, is over ten years dry, some a lot more than that. Seven don't put too high grade of wood on a plain gun. It is like putting a evening gown on a pig. Just never looks right. I've made that mistake too many times. Last you need to make sure the wood is dense. Some of the California orchard wood is grown with so much water it is not dense at all. Soft wood makes a poor stock. If you can dent it with your thumb nail it is too soft. Send it back.
