Walnut stock grading

[SStomcat]

Which grade of walnut is this?

 

[Rare Breed]

I would give it a 6 or 7. You will find this judgement is so much more an Art than a Science. Just my experience

 

[Doug3006]

I think @Rare Breed is spot on. It’s a nice middle grade. Using the alphabetical system it’s a Grade A or AA. Hard to tell for sure without seeing the other side and the forearm.

 

[BlueFlyer]

I think we have consensus on a 6 - good figure but medium contrast.
Really need to see both sides to fully understand

 

[SStomcat]

Here is the other side

 

[SStomcat]

 

[SETH RINGER]

4-5

 

[Rare Breed]

View attachment 770080

I would say after seeing the other side more like a 5-6.

 

[BeeMaa]

@SStomcat - I would say a grade 4 or 5, but probably not higher than that. But like @Rare Breed said, grading is an art. Plus seeing it in person is very different than a few pictures on the internet.

For reference, this is my wife's grade 4 R8.

And grade 7 on my F3.

 

[SStomcat]

Thanks to all, I'm trying to educate myself with the aim of getting a custom stock built to my specifications.

 

[BeeMaa]

If you go to a place that has a variety of blanks, they should be sorted by grade along with the type of wood. FYI - It gets pricey...quickly.

 

[Doug3006]

There are few things I get more excited about than picking through a supply of high-grade wood. Especially stock blanks.

 

[Russ16]

Frankly I wouldn’t so much about the grade as there is a good bit of subjectivity in it. I’d just try to look at a lot of blanks and choose one you like within your budget.

 

[Rare Breed]

If you go to a place that has a variety of blanks, they should be sorted by grade along with the type of wood. FYI - It gets pricey...quickly.

Amen

 

[Rare Breed]

Frankly I wouldn’t so much about the grade as there is a good bit of subjectivity in it. I’d just try to look at a lot of blanks and choose one you like within your budget.

That’s exactly what I have done on two rifles I replaced their stocks and ended up happy

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Which grade of walnut is this?View attachment 769906

@SStomcat
I would grade it a XXX
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If you go to a place that has a variety of blanks, they should be sorted by grade along with the type of wood. FYI - It gets pricey...quickly.

@BeeMaa
Going from XXX to exhibition grade bumps the price up very very quickly.
The piece I got for my lowall was supposed to be XX but ended up with exhibition grade for the same price instead of about 8-10 times the price
Bob