Stock Checkering by Forum Member Ray Mabry
Larry Scott, who runs GreatScottShooters.com, has a friend, Ray Mabry, who is a very talented wood-worker and carver. Ray does master-grade decorative work and checkering on gunstocks, and he also carves realistic nature subjects from wood. Larry says: “If you need stock checkering/carving or any wildlife creation, check out a friend of mine, Ray Mabry. His finished products are superb.”
Ray Mabry is a member of our AccurateShooter Forum, and you can see many fine examples of his work in this FORUM Thread. Ray tells us: “I do this work as a hobby. I do checkering and relief-carving on rifles. I also carve out of solid tupelo and bass blocks of wood. Along with rifle stock work, I carve wildlife subjects — I’ve carved eagles, owls, quail, ducks, and even prairie dogs. If you have a project in mind, call me at 270-885-6066 or send email to: rayzr [at] twc.com.”
I have a question about master lines. First, I designed a checkering pattern on AutoCAD with a stylized fleur de lis–it consists of all straight lines, instead of curves. The outer perimeter of the fleur has an included angle of forty degrees rather than some ratio of length to width. The checkering sort of emanates symmetrically from this form. My question is, can I use the outer perimeter of the fleur de lis as the base for my master lines? I have a PDF of the pattern, which probably better illustrates my question than I’ve articulated it.