Branching Out
Though best known for laminated wood gunstocks, under new ownership Boyds is branching out into new territory.
By Slaton L. White
Founded in Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1981 as a one-man operation, Boyds Hardwood Gunstocks has grown into the world’s largest aftermarket gunstock manufacturer. It employs more than 100 craftsmen and women and now offers aftermarket gunstocks in over 255 different gun brands and over 1,200 models within those brands. Two years ago, long-time employees Dustin Knutson and Rob Carstensen became the new owners. While continuing to provide gun owners with their renowned laminated stocks, under Knutson and Carstensen the company has broadened the line to include the At-One Series of adjustable stocks as well as the Spike Camp, a lower-cost option that still provides the quality for which Boyds is known. SHOT Business recently sat down with Knutson to discuss how and why Boyds continues to be a premier manufacturer of aftermarket gunstocks.
SHOT Business: Synthetic stocks command a lot of attention these days, to the point that many rifle owners think wood is outdated. You, obviously, have a different view of this. What are the advantages of your product?
Dustin Knutson: There are some very good synthetic stocks out there. Some synthetic stocks can, and do, have unique traits that are pushing quality and performance in our industry. But most synthetic stocks are of poor quality and actually reduce the performance of the rifle. They are used, quite simply, because they are very inexpensive. Although they allow the manufacturer to meet a certain price point, quality and consistency suffer. Boyds gunstocks offer quality and a wide range of style, color, and material options in one performance-enhancing package.
SB: Please explain the process by which you assemble your laminate stocks.
DK: Laminate stocks are created by peeling a log into thin sheets of wood called veneer. These veneers are graded, removed of defects, and glued together using high-quality resins. A gunstock block of laminate contains 37 individual pieces of veneer—all glued, pressed together with huge industrial hydraulic presses, and dried to a specific level to ensure stability.
SB: How important is the ongoing evolution of adhesives and resins to your success?
DK: Just like any other product, the better the components and processes used to build the product, the better the outcome.
Gunstocks are one small part of the adhesive industry. Those industries are constantly evolving and improving, and as a result we get access to the best adhesives.
SB: You say your laminated stocks are stronger and more durable than traditional wood stocks. How to you accomplish this?
DK: The process of laminating the veneers creates inherent strength and stability. A traditional wood block typically has one type of grain structure because it was cut from a solid tree, whereas a laminated block has thirty-seven veneers with all different types of grain structure. This is because they are not only from different parts of the tree, but likely to be from completely different trees.
When the veneers are laid into a block, the grain structure of one veneer opposes the grain structure of the other veneer. This creates a random “lattice-type” structure of grain, which is exclusive to laminate, that stabilizes itself by having opposing grain orientation. Now, add high-quality adhesive and the veneer is locked onto itself. This is the reason laminate is strong and stable. If you look at the comparative strength and stability of modern laminated construction materials, like structural beams in buildings, you’ll find the strength and stability advantages are comparable.
SB: Adjustable stocks continue to gain traction, and your At-One line seems directly aimed at this market. How does this work?
DK: One of the most important aspects of good performance in shooting is to have consistency with the firearm. It is easy to achieve proper stock fit, and a properly fitting stock will improve your ability to aim the gun and absorb recoil more efficiently. Having an adjustable gunstock also helps to further consistency by taking out the variability of the shooter’s head and hand positioning. Being a big man (6 feet 6 inches tall), I always had to fit an “average-sized” stock, which translated to getting the dreaded “scope eye” more than once. During this time, I was marginally accurate with my rifles. Once I realized that I needed a stock with a longer length of pull and a little higher comb I was able to considerably improve my accuracy and precision with my rifles—and suffer fewer headaches caused by a recoiling scope slamming into my eyebrow.
So, we are huge proponents of stocks fitting the individual. Most of our stocks can be built with a specific length of pull. But finding the correct length of pull is partially art and partially science. Without getting into the field and testing what works best for a person, it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly the required length of pull a person needs. The adjustable At-One and Agility stocks allow for quick adjustment with just a push of a button. Now, when a person is at the range or in the field, they can experiment with the adjustments to find what works best for their comfort and accuracy. This adjustment also allows for different-sized shooters to successfully share a firearm when at the range or in the field.
The At-One has the capability to use interchangeable grips and forend accessory panels to optimize a single stock for the widest range of use with simple hand tools. The push-button adjustable length of pull and comb height further improve those capabilities. The At-One can make any firearm a more versatile and effective tool. The At-One is also a unique shape, which helps differentiate your rifle from others at the range or in the field.
SB: Spike Camp is a low-cost stock. Why did you feel it was important to add this to the line?
DK: We created the Spike Camp stock a few years after the At-One family of gunstocks. The feature-driven At-One is outstanding, but all that modularity may not be desired in some applications. So, we decided to make a stock at the opposite end of the spectrum. We made an essentials-only gunstock, something with minimal features but an all-around solid stock that is lighter and more compact and has simple lines. Our intention was to create a minimalistic stock with fit, form, and function. Ultimately, this resulted in a savings in material and time to produce the stock, so we were able to offer it at a lower price point. Less expensive does not have to mean cheap. The Spike Camp is really a “better for less” gunstock.
SB: A proper-fitting stock is key to achieving repeatable accuracy at the range or in the field. How does a custom Boyd stock help a customer achieve this?
DK: A good analogy here is to think back to when you shot a gun for the first time. Most of us were smaller or may not have had basic gun-handling skills. The guns were long and heavy, and we struggled to attain a good sight picture. As experienced shooters, we are still influenced by the same factors, but to a lesser degree. We also tend to be influenced by the “it can’t be that big a difference” mindset. The reality is, a gun that fits better has better balance, will aim more consistently, and will reduce the effect of recoil on the shooter. All of that adds up to improved on-target results and more enjoyment when shooting. The fit and function advantages that we covered when discussing the At-One are available on almost every Boyds stock shape. The ability to select a stock profile that you prefer should not limit its effectiveness, and almost every Boyds stock can be manufactured to the individual customer’s optimal specs. It is really a simple concept, a gun that you are not struggling to aim, or one that allows you to maintain head and hand position, will always be easier to shoot.
SB: What was the thinking behind the Agility Performance Gunstock?
DK: The Agility is one of my favorite gunstocks. I will give you a little “behind the scenes” information on the development of this stock. The original concept was to have a modern-style hunting rifle. Basically, it is an updated version of the gunstock that millions of people used on their first rifle. We wanted a stock that had the necessary functions for comfort and accuracy, but with a more modern look. As you look at the shape you can see the traditional design of the stock, but we added some functional aspects, such as changing the grip angle slightly to accommodate different styles of shooting as well as incorporating some modern lines and flow to the stock. As the design progressed, we realized that the “hunting stock” turned into a group of performance-enhancing features. That is why we named it the Agility—because it is adaptable to the shooter as well as to the style of shooting the user prefers. Whether shooting off a bench at the range or hiking in the field, the Agility fits.
SB: What is “The Boyds Hardwood Gunstocks US/International Dealer Program” and how does it work?
DK: We greatly appreciate our dealers around the world. It is exciting to go halfway across the world, walk into a gun or sporting goods store, and see the locals’ reaction to our stocks. It is nothing but positive and a great way for the business to add additional value to a customer when they sell a firearm. Our dealer program is simple, and any-size retailer can become a dealer. Prices are correlated to volume of stocks purchased. The best part of being a Boyds dealer is that we fulfill most online orders in a couple of weeks. That means the retailer does not have to accommodate a lot of inventory; they also have the ability to order stocks for specific customers, knowing the product is readily available. To get started, just reach out to us.
SB: You and your partner, Rob Carstensen, are long-time employees who recently became co-owners. What is the biggest difference between being an employee and being an owner?
DK: Rob and I had been running the company for five years before taking ownership, so not a lot has changed on the day-to-day basis. We are still doing the same tasks today as we did 10 years ago. The biggest difference we have is that now we are looking further down the road. Rather than looking at today, this week, and this month, we are looking into the future of gunstocks and asking ourselves, “how do we continue to evolve a traditional product in the future?” (boydsgunstocks.com)
