How to customize your 1911 grips

[Woodnut]

Some time ago I promised to show you a Maltese Cross inlay made out of white tail antler. Here is a picture of the grips. The wood is Macassar Ebony. The Ebony is almost black, it has some very dark brown grain so I cut the cross from the outer section of the point so the inlay would not be so white. It really blends well with the Ebony. I have recently come across some MOP and have worked a set of Maltese crosses out of it. They will be forth coming.
Enjoy the Inlay. If you have any comments, please reply.

[Woodnut]

This is an after thought from the previous post. I took a picture of my Springer with those grips on it. Just wanted to show it off.. I didn't mention the that the thickness of the inlay is roughly 1/8 of an inch or a little less. The ones I made from the Mother Of Pearl will be about 1/16 or just a little over. I have to curve the back of them so they will fit the curve of the grip. I am not sure what wood I am going to put the MOP in. The black Micarta would be really eye catching, but I am not sure if that is what I want or not, any suggestions?
ENJOY!

[Woodnut]

I now can build the 1911 Officers Model grips. The Officers Model has a shorter hole pattern than the full size 1911. Here is a set of Dymondwood-Hazelwood that I just finished in the Officers length. They are pretty cool. Actually I think they would also look good quarter sawed, I may try that sometime. This is a beautiful laminate made up of Walnut, Cocobolo, Chestnut, and Natural. This is a shooters grip, it is very hard and durable and looks good to boot.
Enjoy!

[Woodnut]

I now have the capability of building grips with the Wilson Combat Magazine speed shoot installed. When the accessory is attached the grip panels have to be relieved a little so they will lay flat on the frame. I ordered one of these to put on my Springer, it works great. If any of you want to know how I mark the area to be relieved, just contact me, I will be more than happy to walk you thru it.
Here is a picture of the part and the link to order.

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_mag_wells.asp

[echo tango]

That Burl wood sure looks nice, Woodnut. Have you ever made anything using Tiger Maple?

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by echo tango

That Burl wood sure looks nice, Woodnut. Have you ever made anything using Tiger Maple?

Thanks for the question and looking at my work. I may refer to the wood that you are talking about as Fiddle Back Maple. If so the answer is yes. Here is an example of what I call moderate Fiddle Back. The picture just does not do it. To see the beauty of this wood you must hold it in your hand. It almost looks like you can look deep into the wood. I put a diamond design on these grips and think they turned out really nice. As with any wood block that you are book matching, you just don't know how beautiful it will be until you split it open. Magic happens when the split is made.

[Taurus_9mm]

Some gorgeous grips there.

www.gunnerforum.com www.taurusarmed.net

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by Taurus_9mm

Some gorgeous grips there.

www.gunnerforum.com www.taurusarmed.net

Thanks for the kind words and looking at my work. It is a labor of love. I love to work with the woods. (of all kinds) burls are my favorite. Come back soon I will have more pictures for you to google at.
Thanks again.

[Woodnut]

This is a fine example of how beautiful CA. Buckeye Burl can be. This set has many shades of color and a grain all its own. There is such good contrast in them, thats what makes them pop out so much. I just love working with this kind of wood. The curls are endless. It makes a gun look so different when you put a pair of custom grips on it. Each wood you use will change the look dramatically.
Enjoy!

[Woodnut]

Now I have a question. For the last few weeks I have been looking for woods, one in particular, Stabilized Fire Box Elder. If anyone knows a link or a supplier of this kind of wood, would you please let me know. I have seen grips made out of this wood and they are absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to build a set and see how the wood works.
Help!!!!!!!!

[1911inTEXAS]

Woodnut take a look at this sight http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=200969 more great grips
PM sarge for help on the Stabilizing.

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by 1911inTEXAS

Woodnut take a look at this sight http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=200969 more great grips
PM sarge for help on the Stabilizing.

Thanks for the information. I have talked to Sarge before. He does some awesome work, and very pleasant to talk with.
I found some of the stabilized fire box elder, I should have it in a week or so. I can hardly wait to see the beauty it brings. I am tied up this week and did not get to work in my shop. I should have more grips to post next week.

[Woodnut]

The photo of today is of a pair of Laminated Cocobolo With the Delta Elite Medallion inlaid in them. This a very durable wood, (shooters wood). It has no finish to wear off, it naturally polishes to a mirror finish, and is beautiful. This type is a great grip for a carry piece.

[Woodnut]

This is a set of spotted Bocote that is just simply beautiful with all the black lines and lighter tan grain. This is a nice wood to work with. Next to desert ironwood this may be another one of my many favorites. Working with these exotic woods is a dream come true. The finish makes them come out even more. These would be nice for a carry piece also, and a good shooters wood. I have some more of it ordered, can't wait to see what it brings.

[Xaiver56]

Hey Carl,

So my wife came to you for a purchase and I happened to be the one to check the mail today so guess who got a birthday gift early... oh thats right me!!!!! Here are some pics of the new grips on my Kimber....





As always Carl, these girps are AWESOME!!!! And my wife knows my taste well. Thank you for the fine craftsmanship and I am so glad I checked the mail today... early b-day presents are the best!

[redhart]

My "patented " grips on the BBQ gun

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by Xaiver56

Hey Carl,

So my wife came to you for a purchase and I happened to be the one to check the mail today so guess who got a birthday gift early... oh thats right me!!!!! Here are some pics of the new grips on my Kimber....



As always Carl, these girps are AWESOME!!!! And my wife knows my taste well. Thank you for the fine craftsmanship and I am so glad I checked the mail today... early b-day presents are the best!

Kurt, thanks for the pictures they look great. I noticed you have an ambi safety on the Kimber, if the grips need cut just let me know. I can't remember if they were cut or not.
The Kimber looks good, I am burnning up to own one.........maybe later, someday, soon

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by redhart

My "patented " grips on the BBQ gun

Redhart, Thanks for the photos of the "patented" grips. That is some awesome work. Please show me more.
Carl

[Woodnut]

Heres todays beautiful wood. It is Stabilized Redwood Burl. You don't see very much redwood with this kind of quality. It was amazing to work with and turned out very nice. The grain has some contrast and just zig zags every which way. You can almost see beneath the surface. Reminds of some agates that I polished years ago. That is another hobby that is very interesting, I haven't done any of it since I left Minn. years ago, I won't tell you when because that would give away my age

[TranterUK]

Woodnut, just to say I enjoy seeing your beautiful work a great deal.

To really make a gun look the part nothing you can add does it better than a nice wood grip. Heck, with a nice colour and grain it even beats ivory and mother of pearl in my book.

[Woodnut]

Sorry for no new post lately, Gustav thru a monkey wrench in my grip making for a while. Maybe I will be back up an running soon with some new posts. Probably in the next couple of weeks, or maybe sooner. I promise to have new photos for you to look at soon. Thanks for all the response to this thread.
Carl

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by TranterUK

Woodnut, just to say I enjoy seeing your beautiful work a great deal.

To really make a gun look the part nothing you can add does it better than a nice wood grip. Heck, with a nice colour and grain it even beats ivory and mother of pearl in my book.

Thanks for the words of inspiration, and I agree. I am so glad that you enjoy the pictures. Keep checking, I will have more pictures soon.
Carl

[Shellback]

My goodness I don't remember seeing this thread, I am glad I didn't overlook it again, the grips are beautiful, thanks for sharing!!! Please show us more as you make them you are a true craftsman..
Tim

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by Shellback

My goodness I don't remember seeing this thread, I am glad I didn't overlook it again, the grips are beautiful, thanks for sharing!!! Please show us more as you make them you are a true craftsman..
Tim

Thanks so much for the kind words. I will soon be back up and running. When I started this thread I really wanted to tell people how to do their own customizing but I have not had the interest. Most folks just like to look at the grips and the nice wood, in which I don't mind at all. Matter of fact I enjoy the comments I get and I love to show my work as well as the beauty of the wood. Wood has always fascinated me. There is always a surprise in every piece. If I can help any one with a how to, don't hesitate to contact me, I will be more than happy to share the way I do my work. Anyone can do it. It only takes a minimum of tools and a lot of patience.
I do plan in the future to put together a kit that will furnish every thing needed to build your own grips.

[ehughes]

http://www.northcoastknives.com/nort...s_Supplies.htm

this is a site i use for knife making supplies, but they do stock wood for scales, there's maple burl and coco bolo and what not you might use for grips, also, what are the dimensions of a standard 1911 grip