How to customize your 1911 grips

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by hotsights

Must be illegal to do work this beautiful because I ain't seen the likes of it no-wheres else. I suppose that when you do it with pride and with heart, the craftmanship can withstand the scrutiny of even the closest, close up. The grain is gorgeous and it appears to be a natural finish showing off the polished effect of fine sanding? The Western Star seems to have grown from within the Maple and not inlaid into it. What specie of Maple is this? I bet you could take a tooth-pick and turn it into Excaliber. Nice, smooth and accurate edging alone to internal grip design, I forgot the correct word, but very smooth, also adds to the grip-a-bility, I reckon. As we often say in the Marine Corps, Well Done!

Hotsigts;

Thanks again for the kind words. You have a way with words that I have never had. It is so hard for me to express my thoughts into words for typing. Now on the other hand, if I can be in front of the person I can talk my way out of a paper bag, in other words I don't have a problem expressing my point in person, except for a speech problem I have and have had all my life, and will have until I die. Stuttering.
All this being said, I like to forgot why I answered this thread, the Maple is Rock Maple and is really beautiful. Not a lot of burl but just enouth grain to make it look good, and just a beautiful color finished with natural finish. These have been finished with Birchwood Casey's Tru-Oil gun stock finish, after much sanding.
Thanks again
Carl

[hotsights]

These are some experiments with wood and how I'm learning something about the nature of the wood i'm working with. Also, i'm getting the idea of how to use the original grip as a pattern and to hand sand and shape the wood and get the metal side flat. Woodnut's images are a large part of my inspiration. If I listen long enough and practice, maybe i'll make some real grips before long, maybe.

[hotsights]

Carl,

Just read your message and it brought to mind an interesting fact. A lot of people make their living talking and in the end, never create or accomplish anything. For some reason, as soon as I said that, I realized that the words had a "Political Ring," to them. On the other hand, some people are meant to be creative, work with their hands and take natural resources and revitalize them to be works of art, like a Carpenter. There is a Carpenter mentioned in the bible, the whole book seems to be about him, being a Carpenter and working with one’s hands is a good thing and he was also a teacher. Not doing any advertising here as that is not my intent, but when I visited your site, I discovered that you also make furniture, kind of like being a Carpenter, isn’t it? Oh, I don’t expect a reply comment when I leave a message, just as you have the time is fine, I know we all get our messages and we’re all busy.

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by hotsights

Carl,

Just read your message and it brought to mind an interesting fact. A lot of people make their living talking and in the end, never create or accomplish anything. For some reason, as soon as I said that, I realized that the words had a "Political Ring," to them. On the other hand, some people are meant to be creative, work with their hands and take natural resources and revitalize them to be works of art, like a Carpenter. There is a Carpenter mentioned in the bible, the whole book seems to be about him, being a Carpenter and working with one’s hands is a good thing and he was also a teacher. Not doing any advertising here as that is not my intent, but when I visited your site, I discovered that you also make furniture, kind of like being a Carpenter, isn’t it? Oh, I don’t expect a reply comment when I leave a message, just as you have the time is fine, I know we all get our messages and we’re all busy.

Hotsights,
I have heard the story, his name is St. Joseph, Saint of Carpenters. I am inserting a link for the miracle staircase that was built in Sante Fe NM in the 1800's. Please read the article at the bottom of the page on the right. This staircase has no support what so ever, it is free standing. It is very interesting to do some research on, or it was very rewarding to me.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DX%26um%3D1

[Woodnut]

Was expecting some comments on the Miracle Stairway article, I really thought it was neat.

I should have some more grips to show after the first of the year. I am shut down from now until then.

Everyone have some great holidays and thanks for all the posts you have added to this thread.

[Dutch1911]

Sir you do outstanding work.

Dutch1911
1/*

[Woodnut]

Just wanted to take the time to wish everyone a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

I have had to be away from my grip building for a while and should have some new pictures for you to look at after the first of the year.

I have really enjoyed this thread and all the kind words that have been spoken in the posts. For this, I say thanks again.

[hotsights]

This is the first set of 1911 grips I've ever made, tried before, but just much more fire wood. Then this guy Carl Wallace offered to help me, I didn't know he was a Master Grip Maker (which he denies being.) I love Japanese Maple so that was my wood of choice. They are not perfect, but I'm proud as heck of them. Carl says grip making is about metal and wood meeting in a smooth, tight manner.

I'm trying to convince Carl to make a One Stop tutorial, he said he'd think about it, just to get me off his back I think. I said I'd buy it if it were under $50,000,00 ha, ha.

Thanks Carl, couldn't have done it without your help and I will get better.

[Woodnut]

Hey there Hotsights:

Just now got around to visiting the site, and your last attempt is looking great. Looks like a perfect fit and I love the choice of wood.

Thanks for the plugs and kind words. Keep going. You'll get there.

I am still offering help to anyone that wants it. I might get around to the tutorial, don't know for sure yet. It might help a lot of folks.

Thanks again
Carl

[hotsights]

WoodNut is a good name, Wood-Wizard is more accurate. I followed your instructions and after about 8 hours, I have a set of grips with a mirror finish. I could shave in front of one of those grips. Your instructions were clear and I sure do appreciate the help. The step drill bit is going to bem like a magic wand to me, thanks for all the other artful processes you have shared.

Now that I finally have the items you suggested I get, things are moving right along, slow and careful, but moving. Even some of my die-hard acrylic-grip fans are recognizing the beauty of wood.

I'll pull the Padauk grips now that they have set on the frame for awhile and give them the magic WoodNut-Wizard finish.

[pinecone70]

Very nice work!!

[sweetokole]

Woodnut... coming in at the end... but have you ever used Olive?

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by sweetokole

Woodnut... coming in at the end... but have you ever used Olive?

Thanks for looking, and to answer your question, I have not used Olive wood.
On the other hand, I have seriously looked for some that is really nice grain. I would like to find some that is original Holy Land Olive wood. I am sure I will find it in the near future, if I can afford it.
Do you make grips also?

[sweetokole]

You're in luck Carl... cause I picked some up when I was over there several years ago... with exactly that in mind... 1911 grips I mean. I don't have very big piece... maybe you can carve out 2 pairs... maybe more if you are really resourceful... I'll throw it in the mail to you tomorrow... then we can chat about what to do with it.
Steve

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by sweetokole

You're in luck Carl... cause I picked some up when I was over there several years ago... with exactly that in mind... 1911 grips I mean. I don't have very big piece... maybe you can carve out 2 pairs... maybe more if you are really resourceful... I'll throw it in the mail to you tomorrow... then we can chat about what to do with it.
Steve

Gosh!!!! Steve, that is great. I found some on ebay but the width was a little shy. So I still continue to look. Hopefully the wood you will send will be enough to at least build one set, maybe more. Boy I can't wait till it gets here.

A big THANK YOU.
Carl

[hotsights]

Olive Wood, being the amature that I am, I had never heard of Olive wood, just branches. I looked around on the net and found several images of Olive wood and its very beautiful especially that Olive Burl. A guy can learn a lot on this site, always an interesting visit.

[sweetokole]

Just wait till you see the grips that Carl can make with Olive wood...

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by sweetokole

Just wait till you see the grips that Carl can make with Olive wood...

Thanks Steve,
Like I said, I can hardly wait for the wood. What part of the country are you from, so I can estimate the shipping time. All the Olive Wood I have seen has been absolutely gorgeous, and I know this will be also.

[sweetokole]

Carl... I'm in Colorado... and I just mailed the package to you this afternoon. Look forward to getting your feedback. I did notice that that olive wood is reeeal hard... hope you can whittle on it okay. Do you have a way to "resaw" the blank looks like it's about 1/2" thick and I was hoping you could split it an maybe get more grips out of it.

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by sweetokole

Carl... I'm in Colorado... and I just mailed the package to you this afternoon. Look forward to getting your feedback. I did notice that that olive wood is reeeal hard... hope you can whittle on it okay. Do you have a way to "resaw" the blank looks like it's about 1/2" thick and I was hoping you could split it an maybe get more grips out of it.

Steve, Thanks for getting it in the mail so soon. As far as the hardness of the wood, the harder the better, I will have no trouble with it's hardness. The size is what I will have to play with. If it is only 1/2" thick I can re saw it, but cannot end up with enough thickness for two sets because of the saw thickness. You have to have an absolute .250 minimum for the finished grip. On the other hand if we were to make slim line grips, who knows I'm just speculating, I need to wait and see the wood then talk to you about options.
I will let you know when I receive them. I am hoping you will include an email address so we can chat. Or I have no problem with you contacting me at my email address, or a phone call either one.
I should have the wood by Monday or Tuesday.
Later.

[hotsights]

Steve,

Ever since you mentioned Olive wood, I’ve been fascinated with it have seen several image presentations of its natural beauty and it is unique among exotic woods in my opinion. As far as waiting to see what Woodnut (Carl) does with the piece you sent to him, it is a hard wait. I spoke with Carl today and he told me the beauty of that wood is remarkable. There are many outstanding artist in this forum and although Carl wouldn’t say it, whatever comes of his efforts with that Olive wood, will be remarkable.

By the way, the generosity of people here is very rare as shown in your gift of the wood, this is probably, the best site of its kind on the net, again in my opinion and I'm really, learning here. Ever since Carl convinced me to put down my ax, chain saw and learn the basics, I’ve seen real progress in my efforts, but Hey, I ain’t no Carl Wallace.

[sweetokole]

I'm anxious to see how the Olive Wood turns outs... Carl has some now.

[Woodnut]

Steve, I haven't had a chance to work on the grips yet. It is still a little chilly here to work in the shop. Hard to work with cold hands. The Olive wood looks great, and I think you will be surprised at how great they will look.
I cut the board into 4 pieces and will post before and after pictures when I am finished.

The KOA is going to be a great set of grips also. I am looking forward to working with it, as this is the first of this type wood for me. In the blanks, it looks so rich and deep with colors.
Thanks for the wood.

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by sweetokole

I'm anxious to see how the Olive Wood turns outs... Carl has some now.

For those of you that have been following this thread, this might be a real treat for you.

sweetokole sent me a piece of Olive Wood that he has had several years. It was purchased in the Holy Land. The piece looked like a mini cutting board, about 4-1/2 inches wide and about 9-1/2 inches long and 3/8 thick. I cut this board into strips, then cut each piece in half in order to make the grips. His is for an Officers model and I had enough to make a set of full size for me. This was the first Olive Wood that I have used, and let me say it is beautiful, full of grain and has a rich deep tone. The pictures will never do them justice.

I am posting the before and after pictures of the blanks. I should have made a picture of the complete board, but I was so anxious to work with it I forgot to make a picture.
Here are the shots of the blanks and grips for his Officers Model 1911.
Enjoy, and all comments are welcome.
Thanks for looking.

[Woodnut]

For those that want to see what my full size grips look like. Here they are. They are not as book matched as the Officers Model, but it was the best I could get with what was left over from the cutting board. The dark spot on the grip is not the defect that it appears to be. It is just a dark grain, a knot I suppose. I wish the other side was the same. It gives them real character.
Thanks for looking.