Wood Type

[Lickskillet]

Just ordered my first kit, a Traditions Kentucky. Does anyone know what kind of wood they use for stocks? It says Walnut-Finished Select Hardwood, but I'm just about sure that doesn't mean the wood is walnut, just the stain color.

 

[longcruise]

Do they actually stain the kit stock??

I think they use beech. When you come to finishing, it won't darken with just a tru oil application. It does need a stain unless you want a colorless natural look.

 

[Lickskillet]

No they don't stain the kit stock, I was reading the wrong page lol. I'm ordering the LMF gunsmith finishing kit soon. What stain goes good with a beech stock?

 

[Phil Coffins]

The wood is white, whatever it is. A water based stain works on it. This one is a home made mix.
IMG_0406 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[bldtrailer]

the traditions Kentucky

kit I was given appears to be birch (would not carve well , very chippy) here's a close up

the kit came unfinished white wood and barrel . I browned the barrel and used cherry stock stain to bring out the birches iridescent high lights (you can really see them in sun light)

 

[Zonie]

The stock is made of beech wood. It does not like oil based stains so stay away from Minwax oil based stains. If the container says anything about paint thinner or paint solvent, stay away from it.

A alcohol base or water base stain works quite well with it. This CVA 12 guage was stained with Birchwood Casey Walnut stain. It's available at gun stores and several hardware stores.

 

[Lickskillet]

Awesome looking guns. Man I can’t wait to start on mine! Thanks for the advice. Hunting season ends this weekend, this baby will be ready come October.

 

[Col. Batguano]

The rays in the grain give it away as beech. Birch and maple typically don't have them to the extent beech does. Beech is a strong stable wood and has been used as replacement stocks as a stand-in for walnut for a long time. (Witness all the re-arsenaled M-1 Garands and Carbines that came out of the process.). It's also generally cheaper.