Diffferences in Walnut

[mountainman70]

Hi y'all;I am currently building-with the help of my amigo BWalden,a long gun stocked in Georgia american black walnut,.In comparing the blank with one cut here near Charleston WVa ,the Georgia wood is noticably heavier.What gives?Thanks,Dave

[Swampwalker]

Tree age, local growing conditions, genes, even which part of tree the wood is from can all afect the density of the wood.  Denser/heavier is usually better when it comes to stockwood.  Just be sure it's properly dried.
Good luck and have fun!

[Acer Saccharum]

I have worked walnut that varies from light brown tubular spongy junk to other piece that are dark, dark brown wood that is as hard and dense as sugar maple. Both black walnut.

[Bob Roller]

My own experiences with walnut are that it will range from Superb right down to lsomewhere under wretched. I am making a sorta/kinda N.Lewis type target rifle and this piece of walnut seems to be OK (maybe).

Bob Roller

[Acer Saccharum]

Bob, I've had the same experience with maple, too. This is why it's best to get your wood in person. Or, second best, buy from a reputable dealer.

If you come to Dixon's this year, you can see lots of wood, heft it, roll it around in your hands.

Not too soon to think Dixon's....

[mountainman70]

Thanks to y'all;the plank we cut up yeilded 3 long stocks,and 2/3 pistol blanks.It is typical walnut to work.The wood has been air drying in a dry metal barn in gwinnette county,Ga for 20plus years.Most has been sold,I got this stuff last year,I worked for the owner for 10 years.The piece I am working has an incredible grain in the butt.As I figure out how to post pics,you can see what I mean.Am taking pics for a build series of pics.I have built several guns from precarves,this one is my first with a blank,thank God for Bob Walden and the skill in his hands.He is a great teacher,and I am truly blessed to have all you guys too.Thanks,Dave

[alyce-james]

The best walnut for color, hardness, (gun stock use) bar none is from the state of Iowa, USA AJ.

[smart dog]

Hi AJ,
That is very interesting.  How did you determine that and why would Iowa grow the best black walnut?  You may very well be right but I am just curious.

dave

[Tony Clark]

Hi AJ,
That is very interesting.  How did you determine that and why would Iowa grow the best black walnut?  You may very well be right but I am just curious.

dave

The highest prices paid for walnut in the U.S. are from this and adjoining regions. this is some indication as to it's quality. Often times trees that are from a slower growing (colder)  regions produce higher quality wood. When I used to cut down in S.W WI log buyers would come from as far as out east to buy the logs on the landing. Some for as much as $7k per thousand bf.

[Dphariss]

Hi y'all;I am currently building-with the help of my amigo BWalden,a long gun stocked in Georgia american black walnut,.In comparing the blank with one cut here near Charleston WVa ,the Georgia wood is noticably heavier.What gives?Thanks,Dave

Its wood. Its not steel or brass. Wild variations in density are common.
A tree grown on a dry hillside will likely be denser than one grown in a river bottom.
Some west coast maple is little better than box wood with curl.
This is why stock wood selection is so important.
Dan