Grip materials

[jpdesign]

I tried a serach here, an internet search, and searched gunblast for information on various grip materials. Things like their characteristics in use, good points and bad points of each.

I was looking at more of traditional materials. I have Ivory on two guns and like it quite a bit. I chose it becuase of the tradition of ivory grips, and because I got really lucky and found some slabs to make them from.

But I was curious about ivory, bone, stag/elk/moose antler. buffalo horn, rams horn, pearl.

Why did pearl become popular? Is it a functional characteristic of the material, or just cosmetic?

I have seen some that were big horn sheep. they were a translucent yellow, and very unusual. I might have to get some at some point just for the look.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

True mother-of-pearl can be quite beautiful if you happen to think it's an appropriate look for a gun grip. General Patton did not agree, and I'm not real fond of it myself.

It is also quite fragile and not recommended for much recoil or haphazard handling.

 

[Silent Sam]

"Why did pearl become popular?" You'll have to wait for someone it is popular with . (I think it has something to do with shag carpet upholstered automobiles, lots of gold necklaces, and jewel encrusted teeth but I'm just guessing.)

I think grip material choice at least starts out as cosmetic. Other factors being historic accuracy, cost, durability and feel/grippability for the application. I am certain there are others. Size and shape are at least as important as the base material for any application beyond pure display. My favorites are holly, buffalo horn, and smooth (no bark) elk antler.

 

[CraigC]

Mother of pearl is purely cosmetic. They are reputed as fragile and most makers of the real thing, today, will recommend against shooting with them in place. Personally, I agreed with Patton until I saw a picture of Tom Threepersons' old 4¾" Colt SAA with them in place. Its nickel finish has softened to a lovely brushed luster and it was quite striking. Ivory would be better but it's a fine looking sixgun nonetheless and I sure as hell wouldn't kick it out of bed, sotospeak.

 

[caryc]

Genuine mother of pearl as some others have said is very fragile and more for display than for shooters. Of course you'll always get some guy who says "I've had a set on my big banger for umpteen years with no problem. Well, everyone gets lucky once in a while. MOP certainly did not come into use for any functional characteristic.

Buffalo horn, mostly water buffalo, is nice and polishes up well. However it can over time dry out and warp.

Elk antler is porous and the maker needs to use large antler and know where to get the best cuts from to avoid running into the pithy stuff. I hear that moose antler is a little more dense than elk antler. Maybe one of the stag grip makers will chime in with his experienced info.

True Sanbar Stag grips are very dense and have been used for gun grips ever since guns were invented, I guess. It's density and availability is what makes it so expensive.

As far as Rams horn, their horns are hollow just like cow horns. One must use very large horns to get anything thick enough to make plow handle type grips from it. I hear that the curved surfaces of the horns once cut can be steamed and flattened out to make the grip making easier. It's still expensive stuff to get anything big enough for grips. I've seen some pictures of some really gorgeous sheep horn grips.

One of our own multi talented craftsmen here on the forum, ShortBarrel, made and showed a set that is to die for.

What I've always wondered was why the bevels on the plow handle type grips? Ninety five percent of the people I make grips for choose to have flat bottoms.

 

[jsoukup]

Look at the Jantz Supply catalog. They have some real and synthetic materials for knife handles. Not sure the pieces they sell are big enough for a revolver grips, but it might give you some ideas.

http://www.jantzsupply.com/

They do sell some bigger pieces of dymondwood, I'm tempted to get a piece and make some good grips for my GP100 since I can't find anything out there appealing for a 3" gun.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

"What I've always wondered was why the bevels on the plow handle type grips?"

I have wondered that myself. Seems like most, if not all, Ruger panels are beveled. Were the panels on the old Remingtons and Colts beveled like that?

 

[CraigC]

I've found through trial and error that the bevelled bottom is much more comfortable for Colt SAA's, Ruger XR3's and XR3-RED's with the pinky under hold. Especially with loads on the heavy side of the spectrum. I prefer flat bottoms for those long enough for all my fingers like Bisleys and Colt 1860's.

 

[caryc]

I've found through trial and error that the bevelled bottom is much more comfortable for Colt SAA's, Ruger XR3's and XR3-RED's with the pinky under hold. Especially with loads on the heavy side of the spectrum. I prefer flat bottoms for those long enough for all my fingers like Bisleys and Colt 1860's.

But.....wasn't the plow handle grip designed to roll up in the hand to help with the recoil? How is that supposed to work with the "pinky under" grip?

 

[Silent Sam]

I use the "pinky under" method and also prefer beveled plow handle grips. I don't know all the physics involved, but the roll happens just fine.

 

[sack peterson]

Elk is pithy (typically will have a thinner wall than Sambar), but I've come to a different explanation.

With Sambar there are no wide forks to cut from up the antler, so sixgun grips get cut from the base. The base is superb on most antlers, Elk included. Very hard. But with Elk we have the wide forks as you move on up. It gets progressively softer up there, but you can still get cuts that will render right. They have to be used as a matter of economics. If all we could cut from Elk was the base I think Elk sixgun grips would almost approach the cost of Sambars.

In any event, my favorite are...old yellow Sambars. But they're like hen's teeth these days. And I like Elk and Red Stag very much as well.

 

[caryc]

Elk is pithy (typically will have a thinner wall than Sambar), but I've come to a different explanation.

With Sambar there are no wide forks to cut from up the antler, so sixgun grips get cut from the base. The base is superb on most antlers, Elk included. Very hard. But with Elk we have the wide forks as you move on up. It gets progressively softer up there, but you can still get cuts that will render right. They have to be used as a matter of economics. If all we could cut from Elk was the base I think Elk sixgun grips would almost approach the cost of Sambars.

In any event, my favorite are...old yellow Sambars. But they're like hen's teeth these days. And I like Elk and Red Stag very much as well.

I've seen a lot of posts from customers with your work. I've yet to hear of anyone that was unhappy with your stuff so it's obvious that you know how to make a good product at a good price.

 

[CraigC]

I don't know exactly what the plowhandle was "designed" to do in the hand during recoil. I know that I do not want my sixgun sliding around in my hand, nor do they do it. I know that the pinky under hold is the only way to handle these guns and that bevelled bottoms make it more comfortable than flat bottoms.

 

[maxpress]

i plan on stabalizing some buffalo horn and slapping them on a ruger. done it with knife handle slabs. looks real good but i dont know if the ribbing on the outside of the horn will tear up my hand on recoil.

 

[caryc]

i plan on stabalizing some buffalo horn and slapping them on a ruger. done it with knife handle slabs. looks real good but i dont know if the ribbing on the outside of the horn will tear up my hand on recoil.

Ribbing on buffalo horn? I've never seen any buffalo horn with ribbing on it. What kind of buffalo are we talking about here?

 

[gak]

+1 preferring the beveled bottoms. Not only more comfortable--and seem to give options for gripping (especially those of small hand)--but adds a nice finishing detail touch. And yes, I know this dates me but IIRC stock/original Colt SAAs have been beveled from 1873-2010, in addition to the Rugers.

Most of my shooting friends and others I've talked to seem to prefer it beveled too--unscientifically, maybe 50% pro bevel--25% flat--25% don't care one way or other, but when pointed out it's a "Colt-like" feature appreciate the idea. CaryC, I have heard the same from Carl (Pvt) Schultz re majority ordering flat bottoms.

+1 Sack makes a great set of elks.

 

[caryc]

Most of my shooting friends and others I've talked to seem to prefer it beveled too--unscientifically, maybe 50% pro bevel--25% flat--25% don't care one way or other, but when pointed out it's a "Colt-like" feature appreciate the idea.

+1 Sack makes a great set of elks.

Actually I wasn't wondering what people preferred now, since I know what people order from me. I was wondering why Colt did the beveled bottoms in the first place.

Sorry, but I'm just not one of those people who is simply awesomely impressed just hearing the word "COLT". They are way over priced considering you are not paying for anything special other than that consecrated name "COLT".

 

[CraigC]

PS, I've tried just about every kind of off-the-shelf grip on the market and two different profiles from BluMagnum. Including the thin grips all the experts like. What I have found to be as close to perfect as I've ever handled is Cary's "Colt style" on the old XR3 with beveled bottoms. They will be used as the template for any future Colt or replica grips.

 

[gak]

Most of my shooting friends and others I've talked to seem to prefer it beveled too--unscientifically, maybe 50% pro bevel--25% flat--25% don't care one way or other, but when pointed out it's a "Colt-like" feature appreciate the idea.

+1 Sack makes a great set of elks.

Actually I wasn't wondering what people preferred now, since I know what people order from me. I was wondering why Colt did the beveled bottoms in the first place.

Sorry, but I'm just not one of those people who is simply awesomely impressed just hearing the word "COLT". They are way over priced considering you are not paying for anything special other than that consecrated name "COLT".

Cary, I wasn't trying to spark a Colt debate just indicating there are many of us out there--regardless of the Colt BS or your percentage sales--who like the bevel functionallly and aesthetically...And, another poster asked the question re whether Colts have been/originally beveled. Question answered. Whether you like Colts or Colt prices would seem immaterial, so to speak.

 

[CraigC]

A few thoughts about the bevel and the pinky under hold. I have to wonder exactly why the bevel was put there in the first place. Sam Colt was not around for the SAA but he did design the `51 Navy grip frame it wears. Folks were a lot smaller then with an average height of probably around 5'6" to 5'7". Was there enough room for the pinkies of most shooters back then? Possibly so but if there was, then why was there a need for the longer 1860 Army or Bisley grip frames? Or did they also use the pinky under hold with the Navy grip?

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I have smallish hands (size 8 glove) and can get all my fingers on a "standard" Ruger XR3 or XR3-RED grip with no "pinky dangle" problem. Also have grown up on this configuration, so the beveled bottom is second nature to me and I prefer it in keeping with the Ruger "look".

That said, I see no real functional reason for it, and I can see how some folks would like the non-beveled approach, depending on hand size and grip preference. I have put Super Blackhawk grip frames on a couple of guns and appreciate them for the weight and "Dragoon" look, but the additional length of grip surface is wasted on me, functionally.

Fortunately, Cary and other custom makers are able and willing to make whatever the customer wants. Life is good.

 

[caryc]

Most of my shooting friends and others I've talked to seem to prefer it beveled too--unscientifically, maybe 50% pro bevel--25% flat--25% don't care one way or other, but when pointed out it's a "Colt-like" feature appreciate the idea.

+1 Sack makes a great set of elks.

Actually I wasn't wondering what people preferred now, since I know what people order from me. I was wondering why Colt did the beveled bottoms in the first place.

Sorry, but I'm just not one of those people who is simply awesomely impressed just hearing the word "COLT". They are way over priced considering you are not paying for anything special other than that consecrated name "COLT".

Cary, I wasn't trying to spark a Colt debate just indicating there are many of us out there--regardless of the Colt BS or your percentage sales--who like the bevel functionallly and aesthetically...And, another poster asked the question re whether Colts have been/originally beveled. Question answered. Whether you like Colts or Colt prices would seem immaterial, so to speak.

You seem to have missed my point. As you said "25%" didn't care one way or the other. But when mentioned that Colt did the beveled bottoms, they changed their minds. Why? Obviously the bottoms did not matter to them but since Colt does it, it must be the way it should be done?

That is a perfect example of people going along with that deified name of COLT.

I'm more along the line with believing that the whole thing was simply done for aesthetic value.

I do give credit to Sam Colt for his contributions to the firearm world. But I just don't believe in paying for that name and getting a gun that really is no better than a lot of others at cheaper prices. Sam Colt has his place in history but not in my wallet. :wink:

 

[CraigC]

Fortunately, Cary and other custom makers are able and willing to make whatever the customer wants. Life is good.

Yep!!! Is it me, or have we never had this many choices for custom gunsmiths or gripmakers at any time in the past?

 

[gak]

CaryC said
"You seem to have missed my point. As you said "25%" didn't care one way or the other. But when mentioned that Colt did the beveled bottoms, they changed their minds. Why? Obviously the bottoms did not matter to them but since Colt does it, it must be the way it should be done? That is a perfect example of people going along with that deified name of COLT."

No, my main point was the 50% (and mostly that there are a lot who like the "pinky-under" design, whether they use it or not. I did not say WRT the indifferent 25% that they "changed their minds," I said they (and at that I should have said many) "appreciated,"...as in "Cool." "Hmm, interesting,"...and some " "Didn't know that, works for me." Others may or may not have been swayed. If so, what the heck? The fact some didn't know would indicate they didn't worship at the Colt altar in the first place, but knew (somewhat) of the "iconic" name and "appreciated" it, the history, the movies, the basic design/inspiration what brung us Rugers, USFAs and Ubertis, who cares?

 

[caryc]

CaryC said
"You seem to have missed my point. As you said "25%" didn't care one way or the other. But when mentioned that Colt did the beveled bottoms, they changed their minds. Why? Obviously the bottoms did not matter to them but since Colt does it, it must be the way it should be done? That is a perfect example of people going along with that deified name of COLT."

No, my main point was the 50% (and mostly that there are a lot who like the "pinky-under" design, whether they use it or not. I did not say WRT the indifferent 25% that they "changed their minds," I said they (and at that I should have said many) "appreciated,"...as in "Cool." "Hmm, interesting,"...and some " "Didn't know that, works for me." Others may or may not have been swayed. If so, what the heck? The fact some didn't know would indicate they didn't worship at the Colt altar in the first place, but knew (somewhat) of the "iconic" name and "appreciated" it, the history, the movies, the basic design/inspiration what brung us Rugers, USFAs and Ubertis, who cares?

Yeah....I get ya'....nothing to argue about which was never my intention in the first place. :wink: I guess there is no way we'll ever know the why of the beveled bottoms for sure.

 

[gak]

]
Yeah....I get ya'....nothing to argue about which was never my intention in the first place. :wink: I guess there is no way we'll ever know the why of the beveled bottoms for sure.

10-4. I have had some beveled after-the-fact that weren't and have heard "Huh? What do you want to do that for?" More than once, so it's not for everybody, that's for sure!
Back to materials. You and Carl's hollys are some of the purtiest grips out thereto me, and the hollys and nice elks like Sack makes, IMO, are some of the better "values" in a quality grip and material out there.

 

[maxpress]

i plan on stabalizing some buffalo horn and slapping them on a ruger. done it with knife handle slabs. looks real good but i dont know if the ribbing on the outside of the horn will tear up my hand on recoil.

Ooops, Impala. Love it when my brain turns off at the same time my mouth sarts running.

 

[jpdesign]

One thing I know about ivory is that, if no clear coat is used, it gets tacky when wet. So if I am cleaning an animal, and something decides it likes the smell and I grab my gun, hands covered in blood, my hands aren't go to slip on the grip. THey also come clean easily with as I keep them oiled.

 

[Silent Sam]

Don't think bloody ivory would sell well .

 

[jpdesign]

since I keep them oiled, they just wipe down fine. The bit about ivory getting more grip when wet is something I learned from an old gunsmith. Grips in the 1800's were not coated with anything, just oiled. He also taught me how to keep ivory from cracking with age. while my blanks were starting to crack slightly, since I treated them they haven't gotten any worse.