My foray into custom exotic wood 1911 grips

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I've done high end woodworking for a number of years, but never thought to channel my efforts into grip panels for .45's until just recently. Now it's all I can do to keep up with demand.
Just thought I'd share a few pics and see if anyone else here makes them as well. I've never liked the big "gaps" between the frame lines and the edge of the stock grip panels on the front and back of the grips. I correct this in mine by bringing the rounded edge of the grip panel very near the frame line. The result is something you have to feel to describe. Much better feel to the weapon with this change.
First set is Wenge with bubinga. Almost done, just the first of four finish coats to get that glaaaaaasssssyyyyyy smooth finish.

 

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Crosscut Marblewood

 

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Camphor Burl

 

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Spalted Maple

 

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Crosscut Zebrawood

 

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Box Elder Burl

 

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Beeswing Narra

 

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Ambrosia Maple

 

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Amboyna Burl.
This is the last one I'll post today as I've taken up enough room. If anyone else is doing this type thing, post up and maybe we can help each other out with technique etc. Grip making is addictive!

 

[Kingcreek]

What, no Diamondwood!
I love the spalted (spalted what-maple?) and the ambrosia.

 

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I have so many different wood blocks in my shop yet to go through.
I've got a set of splated Tamarind that's almost done in the shop now. It's one of my favorite woods - great color variance and pencil thin black spalt lines. It's also solid wood. Totally gorgeous. I'll post pics on Monday I hope.
You've got good taste, the splated maple and Abmrosia Maple are two great woods that you dont' see every day.
SRT

 

[Kingcreek]

How much would it cost me to put those ambrosias on my blued Colt Combat Commander?
u can PM me if you don't want tp put it here.

 

[PotatoJudge]

Are you using a spray on finish?

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Are all your burls stabilized by chance? I am curious how well wild grained woods work as handgun grips if they're natural finish. Those types of wood tend to check, split, and warp a lot easier than wood with straight grain in my experience.

I made a pair myself and it was great fun! I'd like to do it again when I get another 1911.

Desert ironwood scales (lighting makes it look like cocobolo, its not that red!). I scraped the outline in with a nail I ground to a chisel tip. Stippling was done with a dremel and ball burr. The inserts are mosaic damascus. I forget who the maker was but I had them cut and filed to profile, then I heat colored it over a gas stove. The grips still look kinda oily in that picture but the finish is matte when excess tung oil is removed.

 

[SRT1]

Nice grips cesiumsponge (mind if I just call you csponge from now on?).
I particularly like the dremel method of stipling. I may try that.
I'll have pics of more woods and how my grips fit the weapon on monday as I've been very busy in the shop. Trying to keep up with orders (there ARE worse things).
See ya on the board!
SRT

 

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Here's some pics of grips I finished this weekend. Some for orders, some not.
This set is Spalted Tamarind

 

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Maple Burl with lot's of eyes and depth. Would look outstanding on a dark frame weapon.

 

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Black and White Ebony wood. Beautiful shades of grey to black!

 

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Amboyna Burl in 1911 Officers size.

 

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Last one for now.
Bubinga with a Wenge strip. I think these are cool. The diagonal stripe really sets them off.

 

[Cougfan2]

If you ever make a set in Birds Eye Maple I might be interested in a pair cut for a Bobtail Commander.

 

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I don't currently own a bobtail to fit them too, but that sounds like ground for justification of the purchase of one! I just hope the wife will see it the same way......

 

[Cougfan2]

I took my new Dan Wesson Classic Bobtail to the range this weekend. It just became my carry piece. Very accurate. Flawless performance.

 

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Here are pics of a new texture I'm working on for grip panels. It is a "stipled" finish and provides an excellent grip without the sharpness of checkering. Very comfortable to hold and shoot. Also a nice way of spicing up grips made from beautiful, but otherwise mindane wood. I can control the pattern,so it can get creative.
Let me know what you think!
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On wenge grips. I should say that these pics were taken before the final coat of finish to show the texture better.