HOW ARE GUNSTOCKS CHECKERED?

1. The first step is interpreting customer's request. Not always easy as some are bashful of telling us what to do. But it's important we understand what customer wants. Sort of like getting a tattoo, it's hard to change if it's wrong. Thus, there may be delays if instructions are vague.

2. With instructions clarified, pattern layout begins. Using an erasable color crayon style pencil, an outline of the pattern is sketched onto the stock. The "must have" features such as tracing the grip contours and forend lines are placed first. The remaining features are sketched in using a selected pattern or simply free-handed.  Portions of the pattern may be erased & re-marked several times before the checkerer is satisfied that pattern correctly fits stock and complies with customer instructions.

3. Using the sketched on pattern as a guide, hand cutting the borders begins. This is done with a tiny file like tool called a "riffler." There's no room for error when cutting the border and it must be done very skillfully.

4. When bordering is completed, additional features such as freeways & fleur-di-lis are traced on and cut in the same manner. If customer requests a border (additional line outside the pattern border) it is cut in with a border edging tool at this time.

5. When bordering is completed, the master lines are cut in with a veiner. This important step determines the direction and angle of all diamonds. The stock is now ready for the actual checkering.

6. The initial lines are cut in and deepened using a miniature motorized tool. Some say that use of a motorized tool detracts from the artistry of hand checkering. We disagree. The skill required to operate this tool is the same as using a riffler. The difference is speed and it's a great time saver. Without it, we'd be unable to offer the competitive prices that we're noted for.

7. Once the lines have been deepened with the motorized tool, riffling begins. Each line must be hand riffled to give the appearance of uniformity and adjusting the sharpness of diamonds.

8. When the checkerer is satisfied with the overall appearance, checkering is brushed with a tiny copper brush to remove traces of fuzziness and a sealer is applied to protect checkered surface from moisture.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Our goal is to make you happy.  We want you to be delighted with the way we've enhanced the looks of your gun. To do this, we need good instructions from you. If you see a pattern in our basic selection of 10 patterns, simply specifying that particular pattern is adequate instruction. If you prefer something different, try to locate a picture of a style you like.  Or, make us a sketch. The sketch doesn't have to be neat & artistic, just adequate to give us an idea of what you'd like. Another method: Using a black color crayon, sketch a pattern directly onto your stock. Don't worry if it's off center or out of balance. We'll straighten it out. The main thing is that it will tell us what you'd like.

DETERMINING PRICE

Price, of course, is a factor in determining which pattern to use. The easiest method is to use our style 1 to 10 pricing as a guideline. If you're requesting an unusual or special pattern, compare the area & complexity with these 10 to determine an approx. cost. Many customers simply tell us they want to spend, say, $100 or $150 total. We than adjust pattern size & complexity to fit this request.

UNFINISHED STOCKS

Doing the initial pattern layout on unfinished wood is extremely difficult because we can't erase & adjust before starting checkering. For this reason, we greatly prefer that your stock be completely finished (or at least, an initial coat of finish) before shipping to us.  Another reason for completely finishing first is that if you finish after checkering, the finish will fill in the checkering -- making it smooth and detracting from the appearance.  This is your choice, send it finished or unfinished, but we prefer finished.

RE-CHECKERING OLD OR DAMAGED CHECKERING

With extensive use, the checkering on an old gun might be completely worn smooth. We can re-checker worn checkering while still maintaining originality. Some guns have a checkering style of their own such as the flat top diamonds on LC Smith shotgun checkering. At your request, we can duplicate this.  We also repair damaged checkering. For example:  A non-talented friend checkered your gun and messed it up. In most cases, we can correct this and make it look presentable. We can't perform miracles, but we can come pretty close.

LINES PER INCH

In a perfect world, all gunstocks would be made from French Walnut. Its dense grain makes it a breeze to do near-perfect checkering. Most gunstocks, however, are made from American Walnut which has a more open grain. We have no problem doing presentable checkering on American Walnut, but prefer to use coarser 18 line per inch. If your stock is French (or Calif. Claro) we can do finer (20-22 LPI) checkering. We limit our offering to no finer than 22 because of the eye strain required to work this small.

EXOTIC WOOD

We occasionally receive "out of the ordinary" wood for checkering such as shell flame maple, bean mesquite or laminated wood.  Because of the alternating hard & soft spots, it's very hard to keep lines straight. We've found that the cure is to checker in basketweave style (see main page).  Basketweave produces straight lines on alternating hard / soft wood surfaces. If you request conventional checkering on exotic wood, our checkerer may contact you and ask you to switch to basketweave. There is no extra cost for basketweave.

HANDGUN GRIPS

We also checker handgun grips. Although the main purpose is a better grip, many have it done simply to fancy up their favorite sidearm.  We offer 2 handgun checkering styles.  Fancy....$50  and Extra Fancy....$80. No two patterns are alike. All are "one of a kind" styled to fit your gun. Below are (2) samples.

HOW LONG DOES CHECKERING TAKE?

Delivery varies a great deal. There are periods when work pours in and we get 3 or 4 weeks behind. Then there are periods of draught when our staff has nothing to do. Thus, delivery can vary from "Same Day Service" to 3 or 4 weeks. If you need it by a certain date, please call us at (507) 685-4243. Ask for Carol, our head checkerer. She will find a way to get it done on time.