How to Thin the Comb of a Rifle Stock

A thin, well-tapered comb will improve the appearance of any stock and all it takes is a file and a magic gauge. Let me show you how we do this.

Note the elegant taper of the comb on this stock as opposed to the thick blunt comb on the other one.

The lines will mark the area we'll be working on. Start by filing a flat on each side of the comb till you reach the proper angle.

Using the gauge regularly, extend these flats to the heel of the stock using a straightedge to check your work. Now we can blend out the flats using a file.

That's all there is to it. It is a subtle, but elegant difference to the look and feel of the comb, and all it takes is a file and a magic gauge.

-- Larry Potterfield