Ironwood is good stuff, but I would use the medium figure for checkering. I would imagine the highly burled woods would hold hidden dangers to checkering. Desert Ironwood is found in SW US and Mexico. One of the most beautiful woods.

I think I need to go back with a single groover(OK... I dont know the name) and smooth the lines a little and the border corners.
 

I love my Talltines grip...thanks for sharing.

Awesome job Lin! I have been considering trying my hand at it but keep chickening out!
Thanks for the inspiration  

Lin, that is some amazing work for the first time trying it.          

Lin, that is some amazing work for the first time trying it.          

I'm afraid to try it now Lin.... one of my customers might want it done on their bow and i can't very well charge $200 for checkering.   :eek:  

hell... i doubt i could make wages at that price.    

Do you wait to do this after the finish is applied, then touch it up with a couple light coats? or do it while the wood is raw?

You are killing me here... i know i gotta try this now.  %^&*^#@!$^&^$%^!11@@

Lin,
I can send you my Tall Tines riser if you want more practice!!
Plus that way you can see how phenolic tools compared to dymondwood.      
That really looks great!    

Thanks. Like I said, this checkering job has some issues, but I can tell that it has heleped the grip a lot. All in all, it's a good exercise.

Looks great Lin

What are you going to do for a final finish ?

Thanks Joe, I'll probably use Danish oil. I'm not sure really if it will soak in or just sit on the surface. The material is so full of glue and all. It would be best to use it either way, I'm sure.

Lin, not sure about other brands, but Gunline has a tool called "pointer long fine cut" which is used to smooth cuts. It has teeth much like a fine toothed file.

Congrats Lin,great work!

I re-stocked a rifle many years ago and planned to do my own checkering. I bought the tools (much too fine I realized later). Made up some scrap pieces of walnut with oil finish and started practicing. After many attempts, I concluded I was not intended to be a checkerer. That took real guts to try it out on your new bow, but obviously, talent is talent. My lack of talent will always remain lack of talent.

You going to try an oval of fine checkering on one of your knife handles next?

I am thoroughly impressed!

Ron

I have done some checkering....and for your first attempt...that is outstanding            

Thank you guys.

Ron, One reason I spent a large part of the weekend doing this is that I do plan to use it on a knife soon. The curves on the bow made it a more difficult, I hope, so the by designing the handle with flattish sides I'm hoping to do a better job. Here is the bow finished. It's not perfect. It has a scratch or two here and there.
 

Once again....very nice, you have some amazing talent!!

Thats awesome.
     

Very nice Lin. Can't wait to see a hero shot with you,it and a critter.

Chris

Lin, that's as good as a lot of stuff (can't say guns:-) that used to come out of the factories where they had pros doing it. And you're right. The curves triple the difficulty.

Great job!

Ron