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Post by CraigC on Apr 16, 2021 13:13:56 GMT -5
I started to do this as a post but the deeper I got, the more I thought, this needs to be an article. And so it is..... Let me know if I left something out. www.sixgunner.org/ivory.html |
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Post by bobwright on Apr 16, 2021 14:08:07 GMT -5
Wow! That's quite an essay, Craig, and well done. You write like an educated man. While it may sound like sour grapes, I've never desired ivory simplu because of its near pure white when new and, in my opinikon, lacks character. And, I've made it a rule for my revolver grips (or stocks, if you prefer) not to used plastic. (Nor aluminum either, but that's a different use.) So my preference has been to use wood, and not laminated wood dyed to resemble a more expensive wood. So I turned to Lett and CaryC for my grips. I do like stag, reminiscent of the grips on the movie cowboy's guns. And, while Sambar stag s the most desirable by most, I think I actually prefer elk stag. It is not so heavily grained, or rough as Sambar, and seems to be whiter and contrasts well with the bark.   Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge/experience on the subject of grips. And especially the photos. Especially the photos. Bob Wright |
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Post by dougader on Apr 16, 2021 14:30:57 GMT -5
Schreger lines on Resin Ivory...   |
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jpglsg
.30 Stingray
Posts: 321
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Post by jpglsg on Apr 16, 2021 14:39:26 GMT -5
Thank you for your information. I have a question for you Mr. C. Say you know some one that has a sizable piece of ivory that was brought home some 51 years ago from their USMC Southeast Asia vacation. Would it be breaking the rules to have some grips made from it. It would most likely have to be shipped out of one state to another state to get something like this done.
Regards
Jim
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Post by rjm52 on Apr 16, 2021 15:19:55 GMT -5
Thanks for a very informative article. I'm fortunate enough to have two sets of 1911 grips with silver medallions from Nutmeg Sports as well as the ivories that are also from Nutmeg on the set of recently purchased .32-20 Colt SAAs.   About a dozen years ago I bought a customized Colt SUPER .38 just to get the carved ivory grips. Later sold the gun but kept the grips. These were apparently marketed in the 1950s in the sporting magazines as having come from Indian elephant ivory.  They are now on an El Capitan...  Also have one set of Tru Ivory grips that came on a USFA SAA .45. When I sold it the grips also stayed and were put on a USFA Flat Top Target .22. It is really too bad they are out of business because those grips look really nice.   Also have two sets of original Ruger made by Lett "ivory" grips on a stainless Old Army and .41 Blackhawk. They are larger than the original wood grips and feel better in the hand... Bob |
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Post by rjm52 on Apr 16, 2021 15:47:36 GMT -5
That Ultra Ivory from Eagel looks pretty good...
Could you post some pics of your grips made of Sheffield paper linen Micata...
Thanks...Bob
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Post by lscg on Apr 16, 2021 16:06:11 GMT -5
Fossil Ivory, both Mammoth and Walrus is pretty hot right now. a lot of it is colored red/brown/blue but it can be found in a blonde/cream color.
Stabilized Holly is something I’m working on now that I believe will be a big hit. it’s tougher than regular Holly, won’t need a finish so it’ll feel more like ivory/stag/sheep horn. and I don’t believe it will age like regular Holly does. of course only time will tell.
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rocdoc
.30 Stingray
Posts: 133
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Post by rocdoc on Apr 16, 2021 16:12:44 GMT -5
+1 on Lett grips, the history alone is reason enough to own a few sets.
Nice work on the Ivory article. I understand that Ivory dries out over time, are grips somehow stabilized to prevent this? Suppose not. No doubt drying causes the so-called age cracks.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2021 16:30:07 GMT -5
I put Tru Ivory on an Old Army. Not nearly as cool as the real deal but the average viewer thinks it's ivory. It's great for black powder because it wipes off easy.
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tj3006
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,965
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Post by tj3006 on Apr 16, 2021 16:59:28 GMT -5
I prefer Natural Grip Material myself,
Most of my Custom Commissioned sets are Elk Stag. It looks great to me, And the cost factor, makes a huge difference.
...tj
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Post by tdbarton on Apr 16, 2021 17:03:27 GMT -5
Fossil Ivory, both Mammoth and Walrus is pretty hot right now. a lot of it is colored red/brown/blue but it can be found in a blonde/cream color. Stabilized Holly is something I’m working on now that I believe will be a big hit. it’s tougher than regular Holly, won’t need a finish so it’ll feel more like ivory/stag/sheep horn. and I don’t believe it will age like regular Holly does. of course only time will tell. I might know a Blackhawk grip frame currently at your shop that might appreciate some of that...😛 |
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 16, 2021 17:03:43 GMT -5
In my short and uneventful life, it seems grips are the single most personal feature of a revolver.
I usually just don't even post about grips because it seems no two people agree on them.
I did appreciate the read that CraigC posted. It's fun to watch the "debate" from a distance.
BTW, Sights are the second most personal feature...
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Post by leadhound on Apr 16, 2021 17:54:51 GMT -5
In my short and uneventful life, it seems grips are the single most personal feature of a revolver. I usually just don't even post about grips because it seems no two people agree on them. I did appreciate the read that CraigC posted. It's fun to watch the "debate" from a distance. BTW, Sights are the second most personal feature... Don't forget caliber, finish, barrel length and type of action! LOL! |
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Post by grandpa on Apr 16, 2021 20:34:34 GMT -5
The closest grip material to ivory that I have owned is bone. It's not as hard or strong but has a great look and feel. The best bone grips that I've seen have been stabilized with a resin or polymer to add strength. It's about the same cost as elk antler but I prefer bone's appearance. Antler is very strong though.
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Post by pjb2643 on Apr 17, 2021 11:34:09 GMT -5
I too find the bone grips to be a attractive grip material. I have one 30+ year old XR3 bone set (assumption is that it’s cow bone) that has a creamy brown variegated color and a 1911 set that is Giraffe bone. The Giraffe set is on a “work pistol” and has held up pretty well. The “outside panel” has the sealing finish worn thin so it has developed a softer look but both panels have distinct age cracks that add character and color to the set. To some extent they look similar to aged Ivory (w/out the Schreger lines). I have yet to see a set of Giraffe bone “on line” somewhere for a SA that I would trust. Everyone I’ve seen seems to show at least one panel having a predominant crack of unknown depth. Without having them in hand to examine I just don’t trust them. I have some other bone (camel or buffalo?) on a 1911 Officer’s Model that have a pleasing creamy color but no real features that give character. The bone grips do have a nice feel to them, though.
I have real Ivory on Ruger SAs and a 1911. I really like their look and feel. If I won the Lottery, I’d buy some more. I have a set of the BOONE TRADING “American Ivory” and they are attractive but they are obviously a synthetic material and have the “plastic” feel.
Re the Stag, I have to agree with Bob Wright. Elk Stag is the Trifecta, attractive, feels good in the hand, and still affordable.
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