Cherry as a stock wood

[Stumpkiller]

I've been offered an attractive deal by my gunsmith if I agree to use a cherry blank as the stock for a Lehigh rifle - that is: I get more carving for the same $. I understand cherry will be easier for him to work, and he has a few lovely pieces with some pattern on hand, which is his incentive, but what is the down side?

Cherry is less dense and has different properties from curly maple. I'm not sure how it compares to walnut, but I'm guessing it's close. My flintlock fusil was in cherry, and it was a lovely wood, but I have never had the chance to compare rifles of cherry vs. maple. Does cherry finish out significantly lighter than maple? Is it any more prone to warpage or more effected by weather (read that: change in sight zero)? It probably dents easier, but it's also possible to raise the dent out with an iron and a piece of damp grocery bag. Any other considerations?

I'm hoping for a result like this. Mmmmmm! :thumbsup:

 

[LSU TIGER]

I think you'll be quite happy with cherry. Those old 'smiths wouldn't use any wood that would be unsuitable. It will stsrt out light, but time will age it nicely.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I've been digging around and found that cherry was the preferred material to make spirit level frames from before aluminum was used. That speaks very well for stability.

The choice has been made, so now I guess it's just a matter of curiosity. Sometimes you just have to follow your "gut".

Sorry for the near duplication, Moderator Zonie. I didn't notice the similar thread already in progress - I searched for anything older that one week with "cherry" in the text. D'oh!

 

[GobblerKnob]

Charlie ~ Where'd you get that board. :shocking: WOW is that nice!

 

[Stumpkiller]

http://www.curlymaple.com/cherry.shtml

That is Pennsylvania Curly Cherry. The mill is in Lycoming County near Picture Rocks.

The bad news is that board was less than an inch thick. :cry: Mine may or may not be that nice. Here's hoping :thumbsup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Another from the same mill. *sigh*

 

[Zonie]

Don't apologize Stumpy, a good quesion is worth asking twice.

If your stock wood looks as good as the wood in the pictures, you'll really have something.

My preconcieved idea of the lack of curl or interesting grain or burl is what has kept me from getting interested in Cherry up to now.

 

[Birddog6]

I picked up a couple of matching dense curly cherry stock blanks not too long ago. Can't figure out whether to sell them or make something, then don't know what I want to make with one of them if I do use one of them.

This is just slightly softer than maple but two are very dense for cherry & much more dense tham most of the cherry I have found. In fact, these are the first 2 in 15 years I have found that were curly enough for me to buy.

Anyone have any suggestions of a rifle that is fitting for one ?

Custom Muzzleloaders & Custom Skinning Knives

 

[Keith]

I been think a fowler in cherry would be very pretty. While not PC a Harper's Ferry 1803 in cherry could be nice too. Might not use the curly stuff for the 1803 as I think about it. :imo: