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 Truly fine stock blanks are now so sought after that prices have escalated. The traditional mellow and subtle figuring of the classic French walnut has now been joined by the bolder contrasts of mature trees in  Turkey. The picturesque countryside of the Dordogne region in France and northern California impart their benevolent character to the walnut. However, the northeast of Turkey cannot compete with their temperate landscape. But it is precisely this harsh environment that is reflected in the magnificent figuring of centuries old trees which survive baking hot summers and freezing winters on the ragged mountain sides. The trunk and root bowl of the trees are grubbed out of the ground, not felled, and the heartwood is sawn into planks, stacked in open air barns to season, then profiled into stock blanks.
 During
the course of manufacture, 75% of the blank will be discarded. Slow to grow, walnut is dense, which means it will cut well and hold detail exceptionally well. When all the shaping is finished, numerous coats of linseed oil, tinted purple-brown by the Indian root dye called alkanet, highlight the colour and figuring magnificently.
A traditional oil finish to the stock helps to seal the grain and prevent absorption of water from the elements. Simple care of the stock should include wiping away dirt with a damp cloth, followed by a dry cloth and avoiding lubricating oil soaking into the head and grip areas of the stock. If any cracks appear in the stock you should consult an experienced gunsmith without delay.
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