I'm in the finishing phases of an English-style American flint fowler stocked in black walnut. Carving is done, stock whiskered several times. The grain is pretty open-pored. Ordinarily I'd stain first, then seal liberally with LMF sealer. I think this stock would soak up a ton of sealer before the pores close. There is some old stuff, still manufactured, by the name of Herter's French Red sealer, which is supposed to be a good walnut filler with a rich reddish color. People report restoring old Winchesters and the like with this stuff. I have never seen it used on an 18th century style piece. Does anyone have any experience with this? If so, would you apply it (or another walnut sealer) before final staining?
Thanks,
Gregg