My new double diamond buffalo horn grips need a little more work.

[Baltimore Ed]

I'm anxiously waiting for my Cimarron nickled 1911 to arrive. It will be my first nickled 1911. But I don't like the wood grips that are supposed to be on the pistol so I ordered a set of checkered double diamond buffalo horns. Years ago, I replaced the slick factory grips that were on my s/s Vaqueros with checkered buffalo horn. I really like the contrast between the bright steel and dark grip plus the checkering makes for a much better hold. My new grips came today but the diamonds around the grip screw holes have some kind of slight blemish on them. I would like to try to polish up the diamonds. I figured that cas city knife makers could give me some ideas, I'm sure some of you guys make grips too. Would Mother's polish work on horn? I won't touch them until I get I get some imput. Thanks ahead.

[Baltimore Ed]

Nobody was responding and I couldn't wait so I polished them with my Mothers polish. Then I polished them with black shoe polish. The blemishes came out fine. Here's a pix. As soon as my pistol arrives I'll post again.

[Mogorilla]

Hi Ed,
Looks great.  I have absolutely zero experience with horn, so I was not going to weigh in, looks like you found your own solution.

[1961MJS]

Hi

I would seriously consider putting them on any 1911 that they will fit.  Buffalo horn is a pain to work with because it warps as it dries.  I bought a couple of sets of horn for knife handles and they weren't usable.  Check "buffalo horn" and see if you can find a thread on how to keep then from drying out.  I ended up tossing mine.  Mineral spirits maybe.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[Baltimore Ed]

Thanks for the info, I don't remember the horn grips that were on my vaqueros warping but they are thicker than 1911 grips.  Is the problem that they need to be sealed up so as not to dry out or just kept oiled on the backside?

[1961MJS]

Hi,
I'll have to let someone else answer.  I used black micarta instead. 

Mike

[St. George]

Horn will separate - it's like a toenail and made up of layers.

Black Linen Micarta is easy to work with and is warm to the touch - plus, the grain that appears will grip your hand whether wet with rain or blood, as my Randall Model 1 can attest.

Scouts Out!