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Red’s Incredible Traditions Kentucky Build: Probably not what you would have done…

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Colonialnerd said:
You’ve done damn fine work Red. A real lesson to the “expensive kit or nothing” naysayers.
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Thanks, but I probably wouldn’t go that far with it. It has turned out pretty nice so far, but a lot of what they have said is valid. Well, not the “expensive kit or nothing” part, but you know what I mean.
This kit has required quite a bit more fitting and finishing than I would imagine the Kibler does. Also, that flamed maple stock on those things is just gorgeous, and one day I will build a fancy wood stock, but not today, lol!
I would encourage anyone wanting to try their hand at a flintlock to check out the Traditions Kentucky, and to shop at Muzzle-Loaders.com. They give a 10% discount for mentioning them in a post on the forum, which I already have, so I already got my discount. I offered to mention them in every post I made in this thread if they would give me 20%, but they declined the offer. I’m thinking when they realize what an incredible builder I am, and how much I run my mouth, well, fingers, they will start sending me free kits to blog about…

Seriously though, I’m not wanting to start a war with the “Kibler or go home!” crowd. Jim Kibler makes an incredible kit. Just watch his videos and you can see the craftsmanship and attention to detail he puts in to his product. And, with the Traditions kit, you can see where they cut corners and did it inexpensively. But it’s not a bad kit. I’m enjoying the stew out of it. The main things I will do differently with my next rifle will be:
1. A single piece stock
2. A longer barrel
3. A higher quality lock
4. Get a Vice

-Red, just enjoying the build…
 
Ok, any MST3K fans out there? I am naming this rifle “Crow”, because I can’t look at that lock with no flint in it without thinking of Crow…

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-Red, can’t help what he thinks…
 
longcruise said:
@Panama Red that airstream pic has wanting our endless (this year) winter to go away!



My kids say im a "fabricator" but I correct telling them that I'm a prevaricator. 😀
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That’s my favorite pic of her. That’s also my favorite spot to go fishing. Well, my favorite spot to launch the boat and fish the flats.
We got a “cool” snap yesterday down this way. Man it’s nice! Only got up to 82 today. Brrrrrrrrrrr…
 
babstooge said:
@Panama Red you have inspired me to get off the fence . I have 2 caplock Kentucky rifles one cva, one traditions (can't really tell the difference) I've been wanting to change them reduce wood, join the two stocks,and repin so I'll be following your posts. Bruce
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If the two kitsare exactly the same, I would see if they have two of the halves that are close together in grain. While I’m pretty happy with how it is coming along, and I like the how the front half looks, and I like how the back half looks, I’m not liking the transition. If they were closer in grain structure, this thing would look alright. It’s a bit wonky as is…
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Panama Red said:
If the two kitsare exactly the same, I would see if they have two of the halves that are close together in grain. While I’m pretty happy with how it is coming along, and I like the how the front half looks, and I like how the back half looks, I’m not liking the transition. If they were closer in grain structure, this thing would look alright. It’s a bit wonky as is…View attachment 219705
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it seems the fore stock has the grain at a 90 degree to the stock 🤔. both are stained light oak, I think I'll go darker or faux stripe the whole rifle and around the transition.
 
Panama Red said:
If the two kitsare exactly the same, I would see if they have two of the halves that are close together in grain. While I’m pretty happy with how it is coming along, and I like the how the front half looks, and I like how the back half looks, I’m not liking the transition. If they were closer in grain structure, this thing would look alright. It’s a bit wonky as is…View attachment 219705
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Man that looks good. I’m chomping at the bit to get mine.
 
Dark dark dark, without going black, is the only way to hide that transition.

Even then the straight grain at the rear won't absorb as much stain as the swirled grain up front.

Painting it would solve those problems.
 
Panama Red said:
If the two kitsare exactly the same, I would see if they have two of the halves that are close together in grain. While I’m pretty happy with how it is coming along, and I like the how the front half looks, and I like how the back half looks, I’m not liking the transition. If they were closer in grain structure, this thing would look alright. It’s a bit wonky as is…View attachment 219705
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That's one of the better ones that I've seen! Looks good!
 
Ok, apart from painting it black, as was suggested earlier by Appalichian Hunter, or completely painting it, as 64Springer suggested, I just ain’t going to be able to hide the transition. I’ve tried Provincial brown straight on it, which makes most wood look like a Hershey bar, and it just won’t darken the “curl” in the front half.
So, my solution: next rifle, get a one piece stock with a better grade of wood. TAADAA! Problem solved!
Old Crow here is going to be shot looking just the way she looks. Everyone will know it’s a Traditions Kentucky the minute I pull her out of the truck. I forget who said it, but the statement will be “That’s a damn Traditions!” LOL!
So she will start getting her sealant as soon as this puddle of stain dries.
And I will be doing that wrong as well, so prepare yourselves for the whining! It’s coming…
-Red, actually pretty happy with it all…
 
mmull56 said:
That's one of the better ones that I've seen! Looks good!
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Thanks. It is what it is. If the whole stock would have been made out of the same piece of wood that the front half is, it would have been really pretty. There’s a cool little burble in that front half. Not sure what you’d call it, but I like how it looks.
 
babstooge said:
@Panama Red I think, like Arlo Guthrie sang, you've started a movement with traditions Kentucky long rifle remakes. Bruce
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We need to start a Traditions Kentucky online match. Stipulation: you have to shoot a two piece stock rifle… I’ll see what I can work up. Naturally won’t be until after I get Crow finished.
-Red, he didn’t start the fire…
 

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