My first go at Sycamore grips

[Swindler1]

I made these today for one of my New Vaquero's to show a forum member what he could expect Sycamore grips to look like. He wanted low gloss. This is my first time working with this wood. Opinions needed, good or bad. Thank you in advance.





He is sending me two Ruger Old Army brass grip frames to fit Sycamore to.

[Uncle Jimbo]

I really like these. It looks like you done an excellent job. I might look you up for a set if this is something you do a lot.

[375RUGER]

That's nice. What a unique figure in the wood.

[Dan Cash]

1. Excellent execution and remarkable figure.
2. How did you ever get the wood to dry out?
3. Having cut sycamore and tried to split it, I learned that it is tougher than a billy goat's head and a wedge will go all the way through a sycamore log with out splitting anything.

[littlejack]

Swindler:
Those are top shelf. Very nice work.
Jack

[oscarflytyer]

not my personal thing, as I like darker wood or the nearly white/ivory Holly wood. But these are beautiful and first class! They should look fantastic on a brass frame!

I am looking at trying my hand at some grips for my Ruger BH for my own use out of some diff woods. One thing I am looking for is the black grip screw hardware. Any recommendations on where I can find black hardware? Thanx in advance!

Steve

[Swindler1]

1. Excellent execution and remarkable figure.
2. How did you ever get the wood to dry out?
3. Having cut sycamore and tried to split it, I learned that it is tougher than a billy goat's head and a wedge will go all the way through a sycamore log with out splitting anything.

I paid $50 bucks for a 3 foot ready to go board.

[Swindler1]

not my personal thing, as I like darker wood or the nearly white/ivory Holly wood. But these are beautiful and first class! They should look fantastic on a brass frame!

I am looking at trying my hand at some grips for my Ruger BH for my own use out of some diff woods. One thing I am looking for is the black grip screw hardware. Any recommendations on where I can find black hardware? Thanx in advance!

Steve

You can buy the eagles and escutchenos from Ruger. $2.50 per eagle and $2.00 per ( L or R ) escutcheons. The screws from Ruger ( $2.00 ) are to short for wood grips without sinking them in to deep. I am still looking into finding a Machine shop with a automatic screw machine that can make the screw I need.

I am more than happy to give you any support I can . I dont do this to make a living. I do it to offer a custom fit grip to the Average Joe.

[Longwood]

Those grips are very nice indeed.
Another wood that looks similar is Myrtle wood. It has a grain that reflects light differently as you move it around.
Very pretty.

Do you use a carving machine?
A lady friend had one for sale that would carve 6 pieces at once. If you like, I will ask her if she still has it.

[Swindler1]

Those grips are very nice indeed.
Another wood that looks similar is Myrtle wood. It has a grain that reflects light differently as you move it around.
Very pretty.

Do you use a carving machine?
A lady friend had one for sale that would carve 6 pieces at once. If you like, I will ask her if she still has it.

I use a belt sander and a spindel sander to get the grip shape. After that it is all hand sanding to shape and fit. Thanks but it is not hand made if a machine does it for me. My goal is to sell you something that MAYBE your grandkids can say, some old guy made these without a machine .

I have some Myrtle Burl drying as we speak. It will be ready about June .

[stubshaft]

Nice work but I prefer my grips with a more rounded profile and not so "planklike" or flatted in cross section.

[starmac]

I usually like darker, but really like the looks of them.
Is ruger the only ones you make.

[Swindler1]

I usually like darker, but really like the looks of them.
Is ruger the only ones you make.

Yes as of now. That keeps me pretty busy.

[lbaize3]

Your craftsmanship is excellent. How can I get some of those?

[Whiterabbit]

I also like darker but holy smokes the figure is awesome. Way cool.

[Swindler1]

Your craftsmanship is excellent. How can I get some of those?

Just click on my name and send me a message .

[dragonrider]

I have never Sycamore look so good. Very well done.

[David LaPell]

Very nice looking grips.

[starmac]

Virginia dragoon grips are very similar, and no one makes them, just something to think about.

[Longwood]

[QUOTE=Swindler1;1562097] Thanks but it is not hand made if a machine does it for me. My goal is to sell you something that MAYBE your grandkids can say, some old guy made these without a machine .

I use a carver, along with other hand operated machines such as lathes, belt sanders, drill presses etc for making stuff such as reloading equipment, knifes, aircraft propellers etc.
If I spend hours using my hands operating small machines to make individual items, I call the end results "Hand Made".