Jim Drescher is an old Navy buddy who served on Adak Island around the time I was on the rock. Jim is an avid hunter, and he's gotten into checkering stocks. Here's some photos he's just sent me. I'm really impressed Jim!
I have no idea how this process is done, so I asked Jim to write something up for me to describe how he does it...
"I stare at the piece until it tells me what to put on it. It is all done by hand and eye. I guess that's where the artistry comes in, if you can call it that. Not real fast at it yet but I'm getting better. Believe it or not, the toughest thing for me now is finding a blank one to work on! I'm going to do my muzzleloader, a TC Hawkens, but I'm not ready to mar the finish just yet. I have to get some more 'scratchin tools' here soon though. That last stock really took the edge of 'em. Good thing they're not too expensive. I use DemBart tools. They seem to do that job well enough. The last stock on that shotgun was like a piece of broomstick. Not sure what kind of wood it was but you need really sharp new tools, I know that. I did the stock on a muzzleloader; a CVA Apollo, made in 97. I got it at a good price and the barrel was very clean. The gun had been used and abused some... "
