Opinion on these 1911 grips

micSarfati

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I've started making exotic wood 1911 grips to see how nice they would turn out and maybe make some $$, since i'm a starving cabinetmaking student right now, and would like some feedback. Let me know which ones you guys like the most, or if they all look horrible, please be honest.

Lacewood
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q314/#####vomie/pistol%20grips/p005.jpg
Wenge
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q314/#####vomie/pistol%20grips/p003.jpg
Padauk
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q314/#####vomie/pistol%20grips/pistolgrips013-1-1.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q314/#####vomie/pistol%20grips/pistolgrips009-1.jpg

Cocobolo
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q314/#####vomie/pistolgrips024.jpg

Cumaru
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q314/#####vomie/pistolgrips018.jpg
 
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If the fit & finish is well done then I like them. I am not that fond of the wood that has a red tint but that is just me.

I have a book on the 1911 by Dean Grennell & he has an article on making these grips. They are a lot more work than they appear.
 
I used the original grips that came with the gun as a template so the fit is fine, and i finished the grips with several coats of strong varnish so they're pretty solid. Next step is to learn how to checker.
 
I recently sold my M213 with wood grips on the EE... because i couldnt figure out how to fasten the grips without the original pins. So i couldnt make more than one pair.
 
Nice job

I'm kinda partial to #1 set myself.... :cool:

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Nice grips, can you make half smooth and half etched, and there is also a market for ultra thin grips too, i spoke with two companies that make them thin, but i sanded down an old set of grips to the thickness of a dime.
 
i like the first one....

i think that it looks like you did a good job and that everyone will have different preferences.... ;)
 
Is that Lacewood hard enough for this?
I have some that I was thinking about doing the same thing with. It just seems a little soft between the shiny layers.
 
I have a few pieces of Koa wood from Hawaii that would make some awesome grips. It is similar to black walnut but most pieces look like exhibition grade fiddleback.

94.jpg


This is the back of a guitar

koa%20wood.jpg
 
Is that Lacewood hard enough for this?
I have some that I was thinking about doing the same thing with. It just seems a little soft between the shiny layers.

The Lacewood is hard to work with because it does crack easily but after a few thick coats of varnish that problem is gone.

I think the Lacewood would look a lot better on a stainless or 2tone 1911 though... wish i had one to to compare

Sandroad that wood looks awsome.... im still trying to find a supplier of exotic firgured wood... the lacewood i found was out of luck
 
Nice wood. Looks like the shaping is bang on. I have one criticism, the finishing. I don't know if if it's the varnish you used or the technique, but the finish look cloudy, or somehow just off.

Please no offense, you were asking for opinions. :)
 
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