A silk hog’s ear

[Centurion]

Ahh, that’s better...

I also got snagged by the carving i saw around the stock flats on some other rifles here, so naturally...

 

[Centurion]

Good afternoon. I gave my old x-acto knife a workout this afternoon deepening the carving (reverse inletting? There’s gotta be a name for it) around the lock area flats on both sides. I’m using a couple of old chisels as scrapers now and i’m thinking i’ve taken it down close to enough.

This stock with be finished with 50/50 boiled linseed and tung (i like the gradual ambering over time). I’ve also read here about doing three equal parts with turpentine. So at first it will be pretty light.

Here’s the big question: i’m going to add some sort of dark coloration in the corner around the flats, probably with a q-tip to suggest a little age and use. I want to leave it dark in the corner and feather it out to natural with a wet rag and or sandpaper. What would you use? Coffee? Don’t want to ruin this now with something too permanent. Thanks!

don