I have a 75 year-old French walnut stock blank that has been following me around the country since I took it out of my Dad's gun room after he died. I'm ready to use it finally now that I'm settled down.
I once read a comment from a stockmaker that older blanks get too hard (ultra low moisture content) and can't be worked. I wonder if it is usable or has gotten too dry over the years.
Is this concern valid - and how will I know if my stock has passed its "use by" date?

I am not a stock maker, but have had a love affair with walnut for 50 years. I know that antique restorers and museum support artisans greatly prize old wood/veneer that they can get their hands on. Borers, powder post beetles are more a problem in old wood/furniture than moisture- especially in a climate controlled environment.

Once the "bound moisture" in the wood cells has "left", the wood will largely acclimate to its host environment; it will not continue to lose moisture beyond the relative humidity of its environment.

I have in the safe a French blank that's appx. 40 years old, with an MC (moisture content) perfect for working (9-12 % is a good range). So I don't believe there is a "use by" issue, though you should be careful if the blank has been in a desert environment and your stocker is in Florida.

At the end of the day, get your stockmaker's opinion of the blank and its suitability for the project.

Mike

Thanks, Mike.
Great info and good advice ("Get your stockmaker's opinion.")
That's what I needed to know.

Some say that the pores get smaller on an old blank.Bobby

I think a bit depends on how dry. I know more then a few years ago a fellow found a number of blanks in an attic out west (Nevada I think). The wood had literally baked until it became ultra brittle and developed large seasoning cracks for the heat. I think if it was stored in a normal environment that wouldn't be an issue. In itself, I don't believe your blank is too hard to work as long as its been stored correctly.

I always wonder about guys who take old stocks and soak them in acetone for days on end. That can't be good....

And probably unneccessary too. The last stock i had with the head soaked in oil, didn't need days soaking in acetone, gentle heat from a heat gun and the oil oozed out, to be wiped off with a rag soaked in turps. Turned out fine.