How to customize your 1911 grips

[Woodnut]

This is the left grip of a set, (still working on right) that is going to a customer in Finland. He is undecided whether or not to ink the Badlands texture. I really think that I would not, but then the call is his. I was just wondering what some of your thoughts are.
Let me know what you think. The Logo is of a group (I think) that he belongs to or something. I am not sure what it stands for. As all of you know, it looks a lot better holding in hand. The picture never does justice, at least for me.
Enjoy

[hotsights]

This is fine work Carl, can't see any reason for a change, but the customer is always right. I would think that inking in the edges of the Badlands (Cool Name) tecture would cause the center symbol/logo to be somewhat lost in all the dark color, but the diamond cuts might stand out even more. Still, I like it as is from the image shown.

I also like the way you did the housing pin cut. Let us know if you find out what the symbol means and one more thing, what kin\d of wood is this grip designed from?

Let's see, Finland, that's just a little South of Texas?

[Woodnut]

I thought you might like to see the Badlands grips finished. The customer and I discussed the inking and decided to go with just the diamonds and logo inked, and an oil finish on the texture.
By the way the logo is Electrical Engineering, something to do with conductivity.

Also a picture of a set of Snow White Holly that I have spoke about in the past. These grips have a poured inlay, with the lettering being filled with Ebony dust and coated with an oil finish to seal the dust. The lettering was too small for a poured inlay. BTW, this Holly really looks like Ivory.

Thoughts and comments are always welcome.
Carl

[hotsights]

Very, very nice and precise work. All the cuts and carving are sharp and clean creating a beautiful, one of a kind set of grips. Your customer is or soon will be, very proud of his property and your creative abilities. You're a world-class Master and gracious instructor..

[tech2576]

Woodnut, You do some amazing things with wood. Thank you for shareing with us mere mortals.

I was curious how you keep the backs of the grips flat. i have been trying my hand at this & can't seem to keep them flat.

I was also wondering what type of finishes you use most often & what the differnces are.

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by tech2576

Woodnut, You do some amazing things with wood. Thank you for shareing with us mere mortals.

I was curious how you keep the backs of the grips flat. i have been trying my hand at this & can't seem to keep them flat.

I was also wondering what type of finishes you use most often & what the differnces are.

Answering in Sticky.
Thanks for asking.

Carl

[tech2576]

Thank you Woodnut for replying to a post from a guy with 1 post.
Shows what a nice guy you must be.
Although that was my first post I bet there are some people on this forum that would recognize my name from another firearms related forum!

[Woodnut]

Got my hands on some really nice Bubinga the other day and could not wait to build a set of grips for my own gun with it. They turned out pretty good. I really like the figure in the wood. I used Tung Oil for a finish. Just wanted to show them off. They do look good on my SS A1. The lighting is not right as usual to show the true color and beauty of the wood. But it is pretty close.
As always, comments of any kind are welcome.
Carl

[Woodnut]

This is another set of customized grips for a blank 1911, which is not at all the same as the regular gun. The lady sent me the original grips to go by and told me what she was looking for . After several conversations and drawings we finally arrived at the finished product, so I will share it with you. I do not have a clue as to what the symbols mean, but it is what she wanted and is really happy with the outcome.
The pictures of the Ebony wood, and carving are really hard to see. Maybe you will get the idea anyway.

Comments Welcome.

[hotsights]

Carl,

Nice work. At first I didn't understand what you meant by a "Blank," 1911, but the images eplained it all. Are the emblems Sterling Silver? The Ebony is very attractive, in the image it looks purple/black. Very nice. What about the U.S.M.C., set you were working on?

I finished a pair of Dymondwood Cocobolo/Walnut, that is really some hard wood, but all the instructions you have shared with me got me around it. Again, I really like that
Ebony, very dark/black high-grade wood is sometimes hard to find.

[hotsights]

Carl,

This Bubinga is outstanding with some nice grain contrast. They came very nice, I know the Bubinga can have the 3-D look with a high polise and I can see it here. If you get the chance with all the spare time you have (ha, ha,) try a pair of Padauk grips, that is a beautiful wood with nice grain and a dark-cherry red appearance. However, its a little oily to work with. Thanks for sharing the grips, excellent!

[Woodnut]

Hi All

I have been on the road for the last 2 weeks and have just now got to read the posts on the forum.

First, thanks to SAMEERK for the compliment in the step by step thread. If I can ever help you in any way, just give me a shout.

Hotsights, thanks for the remarks on the grips, as always they are very much appreciated.
Yes those Ebony grips for the blank 45 are a lot different than the live gun. They did turn out nice, and the lady wants another set for a gun she has.

I am posting a picture of the Ceylon Ebony grips with the marine medallion and checkering. I finished and shipped them before I left on my trip and did not have time to post them.

This is the best ebony you can get. Vertical grain and jet black. Extremely rare and beautiful. This is the stuff of pharaohs and kings. Legendary wood. Highest grade available for custom grips and knives. It is the highest quality Ebony I have ever used. Expensive but worth it.

Ya'll let me know what you think.
Carl

[hotsights]

WoodNut,

Your absence has been noticed, you’ve been missed. I figured you’d been buried under the "Honey Do Mountain." Glad you’re back. The Ebony grips, checkering and inlay are the usual outstanding work we’ve come to expect. Why not for fun, show us something you messed up to prove you’re human.

You knew I’d like the Marine Corps grips and they are beautiful, the customer probably felt like singing the Marine Corps Hymn when he saw them. Inlay is still somewhat of a dragon of mine. Your instruction has been excellent, I just need a softer touch when cutting the out line. I get started okay, then it just seems to turn into big pot hole.

I going to try some more with some blanks I got from Richard, will let you know how I’m doing or give another one of Woodnut help me calls.

Again, beautiful work and dark wood is hard to find, but that Ebony is dark as midnight, sure adds to the beauty and presentation of the finished grips. Those gold grip screws are a real nice touch. Great images, did you use your new photographic invention for these?

[Woodnut]

I would like to share the last grips I made and the gentleman's testimony. These grips are made of Snow White Holly and has the Badlands texture along with custom work on the grips.
Hope you enjoy!
As always comments are welcome.
Carl

Carl I can't thank you enough. The grips turned out far more than what I expected. the Badlands texture looks awesome and is also functional. You've got my business forever and anyone else I know that want's custom grips for 1911's. I've attached pics of the final product, you can use them as you may. Good advertising. Again THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Chris Hogan

[hotsights]

Very, very nice Carl,

I think its a wonderful gift to be able to take someone’s memories of the past and enshrine them the way you have in these beautiful gift. The images that the grips portray to me are about a person who remembers and honors a military past. Sure, I can understand why this customer is proud, you really, created something that means a lot to him and you did it in a beautiful way. That Bad Lands texture is one of a kind!

This is my latest attempt at doing some inlay. Actually, it finished out rather decent. Your tip on how to re-shape the exacto-blade has made all the difference, that and a lot of practice. Carl, thanks for sharing and thanks for being the teacher that you are. Oh, the grip wood is called Massaranduba. I have ordered some Dymondwood Ebony and will try to keep moving forward, one step at a time. Would never have reached this point without your kind help.

[BrianPowley]

Carl, You need to post a picture of those grips you just made for me.

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by BrianPowley

Carl, You need to post a picture of those grips you just made for me.

Brian, Thanks for the request. I have been out of town for a few days due to the holiday, just returned, and here is a picture of the grips I made for you. The grips are made form Select AZ Desert Ironwood. Brian picked out the blanks from some pictures I sent to him from my supplier.
I am so looking forward to seeing them on the engraved gun. Like you said this will be a before and after thing. The grips always looks better on the gun, especially on a gun that is engraved by a MASTER ENGRAVER. To all that is reading, you need to check out Brian's site, he does some awesome work. Very very talented.
www.powleyengraving.com
Carl aka Woodnut

[Woodnut]

"This is my latest attempt at doing some inlay. Actually, it finished out rather decent. Your tip on how to re-shape the exacto-blade has made all the difference, that and a lot of practice. Carl, thanks for sharing and thanks for being the teacher that you are. Oh, the grip wood is called Massaranduba. I have ordered some Dymondwood Ebony and will try to keep moving forward, one step at a time. Would never have reached this point without your kind help."

Hotsights, you are doing a terrific job, keep it up. Those are some awesome grips. They look really professional.

For those of you that are interested, this is in regard to post #241 by Hotsights, go back in the thread and look at some of his first works, then look at the difference of then and now. All it takes to do this is to believe in yourself, and Hotsights is proof of that. I am so proud to be a part of his grip making career.
Thanks Hotsights for posting those nice inlays. I don't think he mentioned where the grizzly came from, it came from one of the new quarters, correct me if I am wrong, but I think, Alaska quarter.
Thanks again Hotsights.
Carl aka Woodnut.

[BrianPowley]

AWWwwwwww YEAHhhhhhhh!

[hotsights]

Carl,

Thanks for the support. Now, we all know you’re willing to help anyone that wants to learn something about grip making and you can only guide so far, then the student has to figure it all out in their own way. Funny thing, once I get to doing something that I want to do, it seems that in the middle of that effort, I can see and want to move forward with the next idea and its hard to keep myself focused on getting each project done, you know what I mean.

I’ve completed the first set of Ebony (Dymondwood) grips and still have enough left for another set. Also, as you can see, I’m inlaying Dymondwood into other woods such as in this case, Padauk and it came out very nice and very smooth. I made the French Cut side first so, the other side will be easier. This was a difficult task for me, trying to get the grip screw holes centered in the Dymondwood was one tuffy and getting the cuts in the Padauck and the Dymondwood clean and flat were a task, but, you learn as you want to. Each set is based on a Vision and I’m the kind of guy who sees things all the time except, how to get there, ha, ha, best to just keep moving I suppose and Never underestimate the beauty of wood.

Brian, thanks for the comment. I've visited your site and you impress the heck out of me!

[Woodnut]

It's been a while since I have posted anything so thought I would update the thread a little.
Hotsights:
You are really coming along with the grip making, looks really professional. I will email you soon or give you a call. I have been real busy since the gun show July 11. Guess that is a good thing.
Anyway I bought one side of a CO elk antler at the show from a customer of mine. His brother killed the elk and gave him half the rack. I looked at it and decided I could get 5 sets of grips and a ton of knife handles from it, so I had to have it. This stuff is hard to find that is large enough to make grips out of.

Here is the first set. I did something I had always wanted to do on these. I made the right grip thicker than the left, for a right handed shooter. This thickness really feels good to me, it fills the palm on the right hand and gives a really good feel. I think a lot of folks might be interested in this.
I have more pictures to post later of some laser work a friend of mine is doing for me. It looks really good.
Enjoy!

[gdmoody]

Carl, as always you do some beautiful grips, I am always impressed with what I see. I do wish I had the funds available to do the "Red 9" grips we discussed a while back.

[Eddie N]

Woodnut, I have to say that you do some mighty fine looking work. Some of your photos almost took my breath away. To say the least, they are beautiful. Thanks for posting.
Was going to ask if you do revolver grips, but your website just says 1911 grips. (That's my revolver to the left.)

[hotsights]

WoodNut,

The Elk Grips and the novel Right-hand grip are beautiful, great looking grips. With some exceptions, the commercial grip market is so saturated with the Polymer and "as usual looking grips," that its refreshing to see new ideas come to life. Carl, you can add to your slogan "Never doubt the beauty of wood or the possibilities it offers." Making the right-handed shooters right grip a little thicker makes sense when you think about it even though I’ve never fired a weapon with that design. Bryan Powley’s grip on the President Bush 45 is another cool looking grip

A shooter could take a slimed down grip and a regular grip to get the feel of the idea and like I say, it makes since. Uniformity in grip making should only have to refer to the basics, and the rest should be wide open for proto-types. All they have to do is fit the metal and the market can make a commercial decision and the individual can always do what they want.

I’ve been looking at some American Bison Horn (Commonly called the Buffalo) and will let you know if I get it or not and possibly some Stag horn from Arkansas. Your works and efforts keep me inspired!

My Darling daughter gave me this display case for Father's Day so, I'm showing some of what Carl Wallace AKA WoodNut has taught me.

[airjacobs]

I would never realize these grips that would look like that on the gun. Of course I had no clue as to finish the gun had. Wow what a good looking gun in my opinion.