You need to do a half dozen, and its starts getting easier.
That said, this black walnut is OLD, and its grain very particular compared to other samples I had. It doesn't like to shave graciously.
But a rasp will form it quick.
I am quick to walk away, believe me. One thing is that the blank I bought was ash. More than one experienced builder suggested it was a poor choice for a first build. Thing was, I'm 64 and figured one Longrifle might be all I ever build, and ash is what I wanted it to be.Stick with it and the nanosecond you feel like taking a short cut, put it down and take a break. Sometimes you may need to set it down a day or more.
And keep your tools sharp.