Thin Emeralda grips

[Banger19]

I am looking for some thin black wood grips ( checkered) and I came across esmaeralds site which has the for 129 bucks! ouch. why are these so expensive? Are they nicer quality than other brands? Are there any other choices for thin black wood grip panels that can be had for less.

[DuckRyder]

Esmeralda's stocks truly are works of art. It is a hand made product produced by a true craftswoman, and is priced as such.

If you would do a search you will find any number of glowing reviews here about her product and her service. I expect that you would be quite pleased with what you received from her.

With that said Ahrends also has excellent service and makes an excellent product at a lower price. If you were looking at Cocobolo or other lighter wood I would tell you that Esmeralda's wood may be a bit nicer, but I am not sure that would hold true for ebony. (Although it might.) You might like Dymondwood too.

http://www.ahrendsgripsusa.com/1911.htm

Do keep in mind that I am reasonably certain the Esmeralda provides the thin bushings and screws, which you have to buy separately most places.

[Banger19]

The bushings and screws are 15 extra. The wood she uses for this particular grip is Gaboon Ebony.I dont know much about wood so can some one tell me how this compares to the cocobolo grips. Maybe it cost more fore her to dye the wood black which raises its price. I still think I want them though. ;)

[Pappy]

Esmeralda has good photo quality on her site. What you see is what you get.
If you don't like them, there is a 15 day return period.

From her site;

"Esmeralda offers a 15-day money back guarantee on the purchase of her grips. If the grips do not meet your satisfaction, or do not fit correctly to your model handgun, the grips may be returned (postage paid) for a full refund (less shipping costs).

Esmeralda will not refund grips that were fitted to a handgun, screwed down and show such defects upon return. Esmeralda is methodical about how she makes her grips and would not expect them to be unnecessarily abused. Due to the durability of cocobolo, Esmeralda will stand behind the grips beyond the 15 days, should they break or crack in any way, (excluding dropped handguns or other misuse)."

[stevie]

I just received two sets of cocobolo, excellent quality.

[Banger19]

What is Gaboon Ebony?

[DuckRyder]

Perhaps this will help.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57761 (it is a guitar forum)

From my experience "Gaboon Ebony" and "Ebony" are Black, Macassar is lighter. This is Macassar (by Ahrends, they also offer Ebony)

http://home.att.net/~duckryder/O1080XSECustomW.jpg

http://home.att.net/~duckryder/Ahrends1080XSE1.jpg

(Same stocks different lighting)

Cocobolo is something completely different and is I understand in the rosewood family. Cocobolo by Esmeralda:

http://home.att.net/~duckryder/O2991EsmeraldaW.jpg

See also:

http://www.ahrendsgripsusa.com/woods.htm

[ferretray]

The bushings and screws are 15 extra. The wood she uses for this particular grip is Gaboon Ebony.I dont know much about wood so can some one tell me how this compares to the cocobolo grips. Maybe it cost more fore her to dye the wood black which raises its price. I still think I want them though. ;)
Gaboon Ebony is (To my knowledge) the darkest wood available. She does not dye the wood. It is a natural color. Finding this wood, with the least amount of lighter colors/streaks, and crafting it into custom made grips ain't cheap.
From what I've read around the firearms community, you get what you pay for from Esmeralda.

[Pappy]

FYI;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diospyros

[Banger19]

Those are some great pictures Duckrider!
I am sold on the Esmeraldas grips. I don't mind paying more for the best and for what I have read on here today, everyone says they like her grips and their unmatched in quality and craftsmanship. Just looking at your pictures and her site has made me a believer. Thanks guys.

[Joni Lynn]

There's also black micarta but I don't think it looks as good as ebony.

[Cap]

I dont know much about wood so can some one tell me how this compares to the cocobolo grips.


This might help you with wood charactoristics, grain, hardness and color


http://www.woodworkerssource.net/Merchant3/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=WS&Category_Code=A

If you look at the menu on the left, you'll see oodles of different woods listed.
Click on the name of the wood, and you'll see a pic of that wood, as well as info about where it grows, hardness, workability, etc.

Ebony Gaboon is listed in the African woods section.
(they're in alphabetical order)

Click on the Latin American section and oodles of wood from there will be listed.

I was going to suggest this place for reasonably priced high quality grips.
But I see they only offer black wood in regular thickness and their thin grips are cocobollo only

http://www.woodgrips.com./1911%2045%20grips.htm

..L.T.A.

[Banger19]

There's also black micarta but I don't think it looks as good as ebony.

Yea it doesnt look better to me either. I really like the look and feel of wood grips on a 1911. Dont you just love the Double Dimond design?, It's perfect.



collect the whole set :D

[tonka]

The last Gaboon I bought for use on a knife was black......with REALLY black stripes. Macassar is lovely, but has a lot more gold in it.