Finished my first build - Early Jacob Dickert Fleur-de-Lis

[alacran]

Very good first build. You show promise. Keep it up.

[Mike M]

Hi Mike,
It was great meeting you at the gun fair.  You did very well on your first gun.  Keep in touch.

dave

And you as well, Dave. Congrats again on your win. We will certainly be in touch.

[Mike M]

Well, a few take-away's from entering my rifle in the Kempton Gun Fair. My first rifle build came out just OK, when compared to the fine examples laying on those tables. For a first build, several master builders commented that it was much better than their first builds. I can't complain there. As for judging; I got banged around a bit on form and finish; which was not totally unexpected. The good part, I met a lot of wonderful people in this craft, and I was invited by several Master Builders to visit and discuss my next project. Overall, I'm happy for the feedback, and look forward to learning all I can to be a better builder in the future.

[Mike M]

"Bless Your Heart"

In my neck of the woods in the South, that term means "You're an idiot" and is an insult.

Well then he'll fit right in here!

LOL

[Craig Wilcox]

Good job, Mike, I am very impressed, and won't say, "Well, Bless your heart!"

Although I HAVE said it several times to people blowing their own horn without cause.

And I really do appreciate your method of determining how many coats of color to use in the final product - Brilliant!

[Rod Man]

Someday I am going to give it a shot.  That's pure motivation right there!  Congratulations!

RM

[Mike M]

Good job, Mike, I am very impressed, and won't say, "Well, Bless your heart!"

Although I HAVE said it several times to people blowing their own horn without cause.

And I really do appreciate your method of determining how many coats of color to use in the final product - Brilliant!

Thank you. The point of the color mix was to match a color. Though I agree in theory with letting the wood determine the ultimate color, but some colonial gunsmiths added color along the way, and that was my aim here. My method is for duplication of that which exists. For what it's worth ...

[Austin]

Yep, thats church lady talk meaning ‘ he/ shes a hot mess’