Am I the only one who doesn’t really care for carving on a rifle stock?

[MityDawg]

Carvings on guns, are like custom paint jobs on cars and motorcycles... For some that appreciate the work/skill involved, that trips their trigger!

I am a hobbyist woodworker, and love seeing a nice slab or chunk, and envisioning what lurks within.

I appreciate all kinds of skills but wood speaks to me.

 

[Buff1958]

I hope to get some of my money back by selling the carved stock to someone who has a regular woods runner and wants to upgrade to the carving.

what do you suppose it should be worth?

 

[Howard Pippin]

I agree. A rifle with machine carving (let's assume it's a Kibler) is not unique or custom in the sense of "special" because others are just like it, while hand carving is one of a kind even if the pattern is basically the same. I guess paying for ANY carving is vanity, and if I want to be vain about my gun, I prefer total vanity knowing the carving is indeed special.
Good grief, that sounds like a VP's word salad. But maybe you see what I mean.

That is probably true, but it does work well on pump rifles if they cross check the forearm you can you get a better grip.

 

[Fitzhugh Williams]

I ought not have called it vanity.

"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity."

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Yes, I know what you mean. I enjoy the challenge and the resulting vanity. The carving of the stock, is after all, the carving of the stock.... and being unburdened by what has been....

This was my second attempt.

View attachment 354167 View attachment 354168

Looking good!

 

[oreclan]

I put together a Woodsrunner kit a few months back. I ordered it with a carved cherry stock.
I have 7 muzzle loaders and it is the only one with carving on it.
I expected to be really thrilled with it but I just seem to like the plain stocks better.

Thanks to Bree at Kibler’s for finding me a Cherry stock with burl in it and it is on the way.

I

I like well done traditional relief carving, but not so much on extra fancy wood.
In my opinion the CNC incised carving on the Woodsrunner is alright, except for that which is on either side of the comb. The rest can be enhanced with some judicious relief carving.

 

[sheriff john]

"Carving" is done by hand. Fellow set up at gunshows with a table of his creations, a portable worktable, lamps, chisels, hammers, and a real leather work bib. For about $200, he could turn your $1,000 shotgun into a $400 parts gun. I've seen Kindergarten Halloween punkins look better.

That guy was just plain awful. Yet, he returned year after year at various shows. Back in the day, we visited the stockmakers at Bishop's a couple of times. Watching ladies perfectly do checkering, etc. by hand cured me of any thought of doing such things myself. Been 40? years ago, might not have been Bishops'. Anyway ...many tasks look easy, but aren't. I admire artists in all genres.

 

[Buff1958]

"Carving" is done by hand. Fellow set up at gunshows with a table of his creations, a portable worktable, lamps, chisels, hammers, and a real leather work bib. For about $200, he could turn your $1,000 shotgun into a $400 parts gun. I've seen Kindergarten Halloween punkins look better.

That guy was just plain awful. Yet, he returned year after year at various shows. Back in the day, we visited the stockmakers at Bishop's a couple of times. Watching ladies perfectly do checkering, etc. by hand cured me of any thought of doing such things myself. Been 40? years ago, might not have been Bishops'. Anyway ...many tasks look easy, but aren't. I admire artists in all genres.

I tried my hand at checkering...... I made a mess

 

[KevinC]

I do appreciate embellished carving, but for me the wood and the architecture should be the art. Just my opinion-

 

[Coot]

"Carving" is done by hand. Fellow set up at gunshows with a table of his creations, a portable worktable, lamps, chisels, hammers, and a real leather work bib. For about $200, he could turn your $1,000 shotgun into a $400 parts gun. I've seen Kindergarten Halloween punkins look better.

That guy was just plain awful. Yet, he returned year after year at various shows. Back in the day, we visited the stockmakers at Bishop's a couple of times. Watching ladies perfectly do checkering, etc. by hand cured me of any thought of doing such things myself. Been 40? years ago, might not have been Bishops'. Anyway ...many tasks look easy, but aren't. I admire artists in all genres.

Anyone who is really good at a given skill generally makes it look easier than it really is.

 

[enfield]

I hope to get some of my money back by selling the carved stock to someone who has a regular woods runner and wants to upgrade to the carving.

what do you suppose it should be worth?

Really nice work for a first time job (?) and a also a good start !
BUT please do and earn some more experiences !
In the end , You , maybe , will become a true master !

 

[Old-Duckman]

Regarding the question in the title of the post.

I think excellent work only enhances the firearm. Amateurish work not only detracts from the overall look but lowers the value as well IMO.

I had an instructor when I was taking jewelry making and metal smithing classes who when commenting on different styles and skills levels of jewelry said “someone will like it.” I believe that is true no matter what the art form, including carving on gunstocks.

As my dear departed mother used to say,”To each his own.” But she also used to say about some people,”All their taste is in their mouth.”