A while back I was given an old Jukar pistol that had a beech stock. . . it was a pretty ugly thing so I took files to it and reshaped it, but my lock panels are not great, and the gun still looks fat in the lock and side plate area . . it's better than the original, but I could have done better. (I'm a very novice builder at best.) Softwood is not easy for some things . . one of them is striping. If you are doing a traditions, CVA or Spanish gun that is not walnut or maple, one thing I learned too late is the copper wire dented the edges of my wood in thin areas like the barrel channel. you need flexible wire, enough to hold in place, but not too stiff. Of course, I didn't see it until I put the clear finish on it . . .It's always like that, isn't it?
Anyway, I took a propane torch are wrapped the stock. I tried dark stain once and a brush but I am not an artist and it didn't look very good. . . it looked like I painted it poorly, which I did. . it also didn't have a lot of contrast in color. I always use LMF or Febings leather dye, unless it's maple then I also use aqua fortis. On this I used LMF Lancaster maple and chocolate leather dye mixed about 50/50.
Here is a pic of the pistol with faux stripes from a propane torch and wire.
