how some stocks got there stripes

[JHC II]

Over the years I have seen stocks on all rifles that have a tiger pattern on it. I think there bloody gorgeous, but am wondering how these stocks got like this, as they are far and few between now.

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[Claven2]

I think it has to do with the grain of the blank and also the manner in which it is sawn.

[Stevo]

I've also heard of folk using a propane torch to blacken parts of the stock to get the "tiger-stripe" look. (shudder)

[Bangup]

Tiger striping is the result of what is called 'curly' grain in the wood. The wood actually grows lengthwise along the grain in ripples like a sine wave on a lake. When you cut it lengthwise through the curl you see alternating end grain / side grain / end grain / side grain / etc.; the end grain takes the darker staining, leaving the wood looking striped. Some people do torch curly grain lightly and then sand; this leaves the side grain as new and the end grain slightly charred and even darker. When you sand curly grain the side grain wears faster than the end grain and often leaves the wood looking and feeling slightly rippled.

[woodchopper]

Tiger striping is the result of what is called 'curly' grain in the wood. The wood actually grows lengthwise along the grain in ripples like a sine wave on a lake. When you cut it lengthwise through the curl you see alternating end grain / side grain / end grain / side grain / etc.; the end grain takes the darker staining, leaving the wood looking striped. Some people do torch curly grain lightly and then sand; this leaves the side grain as new and the end grain slightly charred and even darker. When you sand curly grain the side grain wears faster than the end grain and often leaves the wood looking and feeling slightly rippled.

not much more I can add to that. Unless you want to discuss celulose and hemi-celulose and all the other bits that make up wood fiber.

the different parts of the wood fiber and different grains take up the stains oils and dirt differently, and are usually slightly different colour to start with anyways.