Ivory Substitute

Pancho Peacemaker · September 19, 2009, 08:03:01 AM

In regards to firearms grips, which ivory substitute is most realistic?

I own some authentic ivory from Jim Alaimo which has beautiful grain and I also own some platic "ivory" grips from Ajax that look and feel like plastic. I see those two examples as opposite ends of the spectrum in quality.

I know there are alot of options out there: Tru Ivory, Corian, Micarta, et al ....

What is durable, feels good, and has the look to match real tusk?

Pancho

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · September 19, 2009, 09:19:42 AM

I like Eagle Grips, Ultra Ivory, they not only look like ivory, but feel like ivory too, and you don't have too worry about them shrinking.

Marshal Deadwood · September 19, 2009, 10:12:09 AM

Do any of you folks have experience with 'GRIPMAKERS' grips ? I know some others speak good of them....and I was considering him.

THanks Ten Wolves,,if ya would pard,,could ya pm' me some more information on the 'EAGLE GRIPS'...I'm considering dressing up a couple revolvers one day.

thanks

MD

Books OToole · September 19, 2009, 10:25:31 AM

I have a couple pairs of GripMakers' "ivory" grips. They are pretty nice. Trap has done some enhancements on the ones that he has: adding grain etc., with scrimshaw techniques. They look real good.

Books

Sacramento Johnson · September 19, 2009, 10:35:49 AM

Howdy!
I'm fond of paper micarta. It yellows over time and can have a grain look. It's also very tough and impervious to the cleaners I've used over the years. It's also fairly affordable. Currently I go to Don Collins at www.collinscraftgrips.com
and Cary C at www.clccustomgrips.com

I've also bought Eagle true Ivory; ok, but a little too bright white for my tastes. I also picked up some white corian grips recently as well, but it doesn't feel as good in the hand as the micarta and looks a bit more like plastic to my eye than the micarta.

Steel Horse Bailey · September 21, 2009, 10:01:53 AM

From what I've seen, the MOST realistic I've seen is Tru Ivory. In price, it's about half (or a bit more) than real ivory.

www.truivory.com

Texas Lawdog · September 21, 2009, 10:22:07 AM

Nice looking grips.

Forty Rod · September 21, 2009, 10:26:34 AM

Quote from: Sacramento Johnson on September 19, 2009, 10:35:49 AM
Howdy!
I'm fond of paper micarta. It yellows over time and can have a grain look. It's also very tough and impervious to the cleaners I've used over the years.

I agree. The best I ever saw was from Tyler (The grip adapter-trigger shoe people), but they discontinued them years ago. I bought paper micarta grip blanks, epoxied them together for the one piece look, and shaped them myself. They age like ivory, have a grain like ivory, feel like ivory, scrimshaw like ivory, and are tough like Superman.

If I could get the raw material at a good price I'd make my own grips..

St. George · September 21, 2009, 11:03:53 AM

One thing you can say about Micarta is that it's double-tough.

I have Linen Micarta on my Randall Model 1 fighting knife, and we've been 'everywhere', with absolutely no problems, whatsoever.

It definitely shows a grain - and that makes for a non-slip grip - no matter whether it's wet with oil, water, sweat or whatever.

Often, you can buy blocks of it from those who sell knifemaking supplies.

A nice thing is that it has a 'density' that's very similar to real Ivory, so it gives a nise sense of balance to the finished piece.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Curley Cole · September 21, 2009, 03:33:50 PM

Some of the finest poly-ivory grips I have ever come across are from Boone Traders in Washington. They have ivory powder in the resin, and have the same feel as real ivory. The little circle in the picture is a piece of real ivory and side by side you can not tell the difference.

And they are reasonable at about $40 a set.

good shootin
curley

French Jack · September 21, 2009, 05:24:57 PM

Boone Traders also has BONE grips, and they are both a natural material, and reasonably priced.

Curley Cole · September 21, 2009, 05:35:27 PM

Boone also has real elephant ivory if you want. I got these for about $320 (which is a real good price for a set of ivories)

they are actually one of the legal importers of real ivory.

good shootin
curley

Capt. Montgomery Little · September 21, 2009, 10:24:07 PM

Do they have a website?

Curley Cole · September 22, 2009, 01:25:43 AM

http://boonetrading.com

curley

Tascosa Joe · September 24, 2009, 08:22:15 AM

Has anyone had any luck with Boone Trading answering the phone or returning calls from their answering machine. I have tried a couple of times over the last 2 days with no luck?

T Joe

Johnny McCrae · September 24, 2009, 01:17:55 PM

A friend of mine is in the Counter-top business and he gave me a piece of Corian called "Vanilla". I'm making a set of grips for my USFA. Attached are some pictures of a sample I made. I'm in the process now of making a finished pair.

Please excuse the lousy pictures. When you look at the actual grip it has more of an "off-white" caste.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · September 24, 2009, 01:37:13 PM

Howdy Johnny

Those are really nice looking, and you did a very good job of shaping them too, that's what makes a custom pair so much better, everything matched up with the trigger guard and back straps, it looks like you also did a bang up job on the thinning. I like the color and the texture too,they don't have that plastic look, it doesn't have a too shinny of a look to them, and will probably grip a lot better to.

Thanks for the look see

Regards

tEN wOLVES

Curley Cole · September 24, 2009, 03:46:34 PM

Joe
I have spoken to them about answering the phone. I am sure they miss alot of business that way, but they are a small crew and will return your call soon.

Their prices and material is worth the wait..

curley

Irish Dave · September 24, 2009, 03:55:20 PM

Very nice, Johnny. Good job.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · September 24, 2009, 07:42:04 PM

Quote from: Johnny McCrae on September 24, 2009, 01:17:55 PM
A friend of mine is in the Counter-top business and he gave me a piece of Corian called "Vanilla". I'm making a set of grips for my USFA. Attached are some pictures of a sample I made. I'm in the process now of making a finished pair.

Please excuse the lousy pictures. When you look at the actual grip it has more of an "off-white" caste.

Johnny, you say this is Corian, in yet it doesn't look like it, is it possible it might have another material in it, most the white corian I've seen almost has a transparent look about it, this Vanilla Corian looks more like ivory and less like plastic to me, it will be interesting to here how it holds up, I like the look.

Regards

tEN wOLVES