doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Claro, Black or English Walnut? Why?

Hi All,
I am interested in learning people's general preferences and why between Claro, Black and English Walnut for a shotgun stock. Including aesthetics and functional aspects (strength, durability, stability, ability to take fine checkering, etc). To keep it simple, please consider the wood to be exhibition grade and to have the same cost.

I know that the aesthetic part of the preference is subjective, and that it also varies from blank to blank, but I am still interested in learning people's general preferences.

Thanks.

--shinbone

4x American Black Walnut on an RBL Launch Edition:

Blonds, brunettes and redheads you ask. Well just as they cause a lot of different thought so do wood choices. Here are mine.

If I have a straight stock, thin grip gun, I want English for strength. Bastone will do but it is easier to find English. Great smokey grain with honey and black swirling contrasts. Hard to beat in my book.

If I have a auto or through bolt gun I go for crotch Black Walnut. Strength is not as big a issue with a bolt so I want he extra crotch figure. Good crotch blanks can do well on doubles if the wrist area is straight and dense.

If I can get a nice fiddle or burl Claro I will use them if the grain is decent in the wrist. Mostly on modern guns where the color and wider grain patterns on most Claro do not bug me.

You missed Myrtle and Maple. These should be on modern guns like the autos or O/U's that are used in Trap and Skeet. Shell flame maple, bird's eye maple and fancy Myrtle wood just do not belong on classic guns, be they rifle or shotguns. Fine for a KY rifle but not a double. Just my two cents.

They would all work for me but if I had the preference I would probably go for the Claro. Black Walnut- second. Nice wood on your RBL. Good luck.

Plate #10 in Dallas Long's book on Purdeys shows a birdseye maple stock on Purdey #473 made in 1823 by Purdey. Good choice of wood and still beautiful.
As for American classics, they were made in both black and English with the 21's often in Claro. The individual piece of wood and the preference of the owner are the only things of importance.

Stock blanks are individuals. They may tend to a certain set of characteristics based on their species. However, tending and being are two different things. Not all individual blanks will exhibit the desired characteristics. Make a list of the characteristics needed for any given project and find a blank that meets said list.

I'll take English walnut any day of the year, and I also favor English guns.

Also, what Rocketman said too.

Just like blondes and brunettes, with good figures. I prefer good American Walnut on my guns that has real bold figure.

Interested in opinions on using the two bottom blanks for a matched set (consecutive sn)of early A&D 10gauge doubles.
I know that the original wood was decent english walnut, but these two blanks of stump ( Claro?) would seem to warrant a change. Any downside to using this non original species ?
thanks for weighing in
best regards,
JBP

JB, all pretty pieces of wood. The two bottom pieces might have a hint of green which would indicate Bastogne (black or Claro x English). In any event, with a dark finish, it would be hard to tell from English. Add some strong tea and ammonia (50-50) and it will bring out the fiddle more. I wouldn't use it on colorful Claro because the wild yellow/orange/etc would be muted. However, this color wouldn't be hurt.

Pete

Interesting no one has mentioned workability and weight. I understand that stock makers prefer English due to its workability characteristics and ability to take checkering.

Bastogne is usually MUCH the heaviest (compared to English or Claro) and is good for heavy guns.

Jake