American vs. English Walnut

[fvigo]

I was told by someone that American walnut has the tendency to crack and therefore would only use English walnut for a gun stock. Does anyone have experience/knowledge on the matter that can clear this up?

I am considering a NSW Early English Trade Gun which is stocked in American walnut and don't want to have any regrets.

Thanks,
John

 

[Stophel]

AH, he's crazy. American walnut has no more tendency to crack than any other wood. GOOD quality American walnut will make a most excellent stock, and is my favorite wood (with much emphasis on "GOOD quality"...)

 

[Roy]

:thumbsup: I agree

 

[Griz]

I would think that the way and length of time it was dried and the % of moisture it was taken to would have more impact on a piece of wood cracking and not the species.

 

:thumbsup: Right on brothers, American is very best.

 

[Mike Brooks]

I prefer english walnut as it carves and inlets better and is "usually" hard and dense when compared to "most" American black walnut. That being said, I've built a large number of guns stocked in american walnut and have never had a problem with it. Yuo'll come across some good and bad stocks in both species. Hand picking walnut is important, I'd hesitate to buy walnut sight unseen.

 

[DCF]

I’m with Griz on this one. I would hazard that the density, moisture content and the way it was seasoned in relation to these factors would have more effect than its origin. I’ve seen some good and bad examples in most types.

If I were selecting a piece of wood I’d probably pay more attention to density, colour(s), presence of “shakes”, figuring and the line of the grain, and of course match these to what you want it for and how deep your pocket is!

And that means looking at it! You can’t just say any type of wood is better than another and order it on the phone.
Any natural material, no matter what perceived quality can do “unusual” things ”“ most of which make you swear profusely.

If you find a nice piece of timber”¦”¦. and you can afford it, who cares what you call it!

 

[Norskie]

If American walnut was prone to cracking, it would not have been used to build thousands of '03 Springfields, American built Enfields and M1 Garands. Piffle! :winking:

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Not to forget Lord only knows how many front loading muskets and rifled muskets and trap door Springfields and Krag- Jorgensens. And civilian arms as well. It is a wonder that there are any walnut trees left.

 

[Stophel]

"It's a wonder there are any walnut trees left."..YOU SAID IT. After making stocks for 3 million Springfields, 4 million 1917 Enfields, 3 million Garands, 5 million M1 Carbines, and several hundred thousand M14's before finally deciding that, hey, you know, birch would work fine too, it is definitely a wonder there is any walnut left, and this, I think, is one of the main reasons that it can be hard to find any good quality walnut anymore.

 

[Vaino]

There must be some "Greens" in the DOD seeing they finally are saving the walnut trees by using plastic or composite stocks. Have never owned a plastic stocked gun, but for military arms, plastic or composite is the best material for a whole host of reasons......Fred