when you cant find a stock you like - you make one

A couple of the GinB ones almost did, a couple of the Gary Cane ones had many bits that were great as well, but theres just not the choice available for my liking so only one option was left (well maybe 2, but why pay someone else to do it) 

Make it myself.

Im no stranger to wood, and have made plenty of pistol grips, and I know that when making it yourself you have the opportunity to really make it "fit", and to be that one off piece, I wanted to be different from all the others, so the search for wood began

Reading all the builds, walnut or beech were the main choices. A few indonesian hardwoods are used as well, so to be different i chose not to use any of them :)

A hunt around and a nice piece of cedar was acquired, definately not a normal choice, but as you see the pictures im sure you understand why I went for it.

Cedar is actually a hardwood - technically. It also isnt prone to rot, which is why its used on outdoor door frames that are exposed, all a great bonus, but it was the grain nature that I wanted, and this stuff sure has it!

Scoured the net for all the right pictures, started up photoshop, and ended up with a design that resembles a cross between a daystate panther/gary cane type stock, without the sharp bodylines. more "flowing" from one surface to another.

A thumbhole design, right handed, with a "thumb up" position as well. An adjustable cheek rest, and a daystate panther(ish) type hamster.

The marked and cut blank (the forend will be the last bit I do. will be doing the inletting at the tail end of the process, contrary to what most of the stockmakers do. this is so I can align the action to me when im holding it, hopefully this will give an increase to the balanced feel for me)

First shaping of the pistol grip and butt

More shaping and a light buff to raise the grain

More work with the hand plane, drum sanders, and good old sanding block. 

its a bit of a slow process, mainly because my 2year old son wants to be involved (thats sooo much help) I figured a way to keep him happy though , make a stock for him as well (to later have a break barrel pistol action fitted into it, making a mini sized rifle just for him ) I will post pics of that as well, mainly because its kind of cool to see a 2yr old sanding his own rifle stock, dad had to shape it (dont trust him with a bandsaw or speedsander just yet) but he comes and work alongside me and is the envy of all his mates (and the cause of a few concerned looks from parents) 

Plastic toy guns are cool, but if you have the means, why not? 

(for the record he can already operate a semi auto gas powered pistol, and at 10m is capable of roughly a 80mm group with it :) understands how to use the safety, and not to point it at people or animals. I figure get him so used to them that when he is older the novelty wont be there, and should hopefully kerb the want to sneak them out when dads not around, or if he does - at least he'll know what hes doing:) )