Kibler wood grades?

[msquared]

A question from a new member here.   I've shot and hunted with flintlocks for 40 years and started following this forum a few years ago in anticipation of my first build.  I finally got legit and signed up.  Now, onto the question:

I am getting closer to ordering a Kibler Colonial Rifle kit and am debating between maple wood grades.  I love figure and striping,  but budget is a concern.   I've seen the beautiful rifles others have built; however, people don't always mention which wood grade they chose.  Could I ask members to post photos of their Kiblers and say which wood grades they used?

[FlintFan]

 

[tlallijr]

Here is a colonial kit with the fancy upgrade.

[msquared]

Thanks.  That's pretty wood!   Which finishes did you use?

[PACHUCK]

I believe this was the middle upgrade between plain and fancy.

[Mike Brooks]

You could by a blank with the grade you like and send it to him. You'll know exactly what you're getting that way.

[msquared]

I believe this was the middle upgrade between plain and fancy.

Gorgeous!

[msquared]

You could by a blank with the grade you like and send it to him. You'll know exactly what you're getting that way.

Thanks for the suggestion.  If these are representative of middle grade, there's no reason to risk screwing up an expensive piece of wood on my first go!

[Mike Brooks]

You could by a blank with the grade you like and send it to him. You'll know exactly what you're getting that way.

Thanks for the suggestion.  If these are representative of middle grade, there's no reason to risk screwing up an expensive piece of wood on my first go!

I believe these kits are almost impossible to screw up.

[kentuckyrifleman]

I've never built one, but just to give you insight into a fellow newbie's perspective: My first build will be fun but not perfect. I'll have mistakes and obvious problems. So I'm not going to get super tied up in wood grade. The first one will probably be my "beater" rifle so I'll just stick with the standard grade or go for the middle one and save the extra fancy for my 3rd or 4th (not that I'll be perfect by then...FAR from it).

I do wonder what grade Andy used below. I like the subtle pattern on the wood—it's there, but not too obvious. Perhaps the darkness of the finish makes it like that?

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=52608.0

[msquared]

I like the subtle pattern on the wood—it's there, but not too obvious. Perhaps the darkness of the finish makes it like that?

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=52608.0

It is pretty,  the figure is understated in a classy way.

[msquared]

I believe these kits are almost impossible to screw up.

You obviously don't know me!

[Daryl]

This one is fairly fancy.

[Gun_Nut_73]

 I believe these kits are almost impossible to screw up.
[/quote]

That's because I haven't tried building one yet.   Grin   I am a master at turning metals and wood into filings and kindling.

[Phil Neal]

Only someone with little to no knowledge of how to use chisel or file could screw these kits up.  I ordered mine in fancy maple and got plenty of fancy.  this is the only photo I have as of now.

[sespe]

This was the basic wood grade.

[stikshooter]

I've never built one, but just to give you insight into a fellow newbie's perspective: My first build will be fun but not perfect. I'll have mistakes and obvious problems. So I'm not going to get super tied up in wood grade. The first one will probably be my "beater" rifle so I'll just stick with the standard grade or go for the middle one and save the extra fancy for my 3rd or 4th (not that I'll be perfect by then...FAR from it).

I do wonder what grade Andy used below. I like the subtle pattern on the wood—it's there, but not too obvious. Perhaps the darkness of the finish makes it like that?

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=52608.0

Jim does not sell ugly wood ,his standard grade is great and goes up from there ! You will like it /Ed

[kentuckyrifleman]

This was the basic wood grade.

Wow, that's quite impressive for "standard" grade.

[msquared]

This was the basic wood grade.

Wow, that's quite impressive for "standard" grade.

Indeed!    It would make me wonder if he was out of standard stocks that day and gave you something better.   Regardless, they're all very nice. I appreciate everyone sharing.    I appreciate Jim's high standards  and it looks like I wouldn't go wrong with any grade!

[oldtravler61]

   Jim's main concern is satisfied customers ! A rarity with some, not with Jim.
Also I don't own or have bought one of his kits. Someday ? But I have put together one for a friend.  Quality all the way through  !
 Oldtravler

[Jim Kibler]

This was the basic wood grade.

Wow, that's quite impressive for "standard" grade.

That is an impressive "standard" grade stock!  Sometimes staining really brings out the figure more on some stocks than others.  Seems this might have been a little higher grade, but we're happy that you got a little more for your money. 

All the best,
Jim

[rfd]

I believe this was the middle upgrade between plain and fancy.

that's "fancy" for sure, looks lots like the high buck fancy grain in my kibler colonial.

[J.M.Browning]

Here is a colonial kit with the fancy upgrade.

What finish did you use ,Thank you

[JLayne]

This one is one of the mid-grade fancy maple stocks stained with Kibler’s aqua fortis and tannic acid, followed by tried and true varnish oil.

[wmrike]

My Colonial.  I had asked for the base grade wood.


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