MK9 G10 Grips

[Alfonse]

It won't get any worse than that price wise. Now comes time to optimize and see where time and $ can be taken out.

[berettabone]

I think that the current price point may be a bit steep for your average joe.........................................market ing, marketing, marketing, word of mouth.............................don't the testers get a free pair?

[berettabone]

In the pic you have posted, they look real good................can't tell how aggressive the texture is from the pic................they look good.

[Bawanna]

I think the price is right at the border myself. Even the average Joe and I speak of this from being a first hand Joe all my life can scrap together a 100 bucks. At 100 though even additional shipping can put it over the top.

But the price is what it is too. You can't make and market them at a loss, just doesn't work. I know this to be true too.

I like making stuff but I'm not good at asking for money, not a good combination.

[Alfonse]

Yes, getting these done at a price folks are used to paying for such things is the next challenge. They do take more material, because of the thickness due to the back strap. However, I need to make sure that the machining is being done optimally and at a reasonable rate too.

Up here in the middle of rural Washington, none of the shops I'm working with so far are very close. Anyway, I will make sure I understand everything driving price. I did such things for a living in a previous career. It would be nice if they in the $80 range for a set or less. Alas, that is why getting things done well and reasonably priced usually ends up taking some time.

I suppose I could work on a version where the back strap is separate from the sides, which would also mean the back strap thickness could be select-able. That would reduce the thickness of the required material by a bunch. Much less of the material would be ground up in the manufacturing and thrown away. Another ingredient to throw into the mix.

[Bawanna]

That's a decent thought Alfonse. I'm not sure how the most efficient method of attaching the separate back strap would be.

Pinned for sure. Have to ponder that some.

Sure would simplify things if you could use thinner material over all. Worth pondering.

[Alfonse]

There are endless possibilities. G10 is really rough, that is its appeal I suppose. There are other versions of Micarta as well, that are less expensive and more than strong enough. I suppose we could even look at that stuff that grows on trees, or something stabilized, etc. There are certainly other options for materials.

Something will work out that we have some awesome grip alternatives for the MK series that are affordable as well. Maybe the G10, that's the first thing to work on.

I think the back strap could just be "captured" between the two side grips if using G10. It is pretty sturdy stuff. There are lots of ways to make the parts lock together as they mate up.

[Big Sexy]

I like that! Good job!

[Big Sexy]

.
Pricing would definitely be below $100, and I hope to have it squeak under $90. If demand is high, it could come down a bit more. Still interested?

I'm still interested.

[Firewire]

Here's a link to some good info on knife handle materials that apply in a general sense: http://www.knifemaking.com/category-s/4.htm

[b4uqzme]

OK, they arrived today and I gave them a test fit. I took a bunch of pictures and will post. You've done good Al.

For reference: I have a GCxxxx MK9. That is the model that typically requires a bit of whittling inside the Hogue wood grips around the lower screw tabs. But Al's grips bolt right up. I see only two areas of improvement:

1- the cut out at the slide lever can be smaller.
2- there is a fitting work to do at the top of the backstrap.

Everything else looks great. I'll get the post up as soon as possible. Sorry it won't be tonight. Still doing my real job and have an early morning too.

[b4uqzme]

beginning of the picture survey

Here's the beginning of the picture survey for all interested. Alfonse, please review and let me know if you have any questions before I send them along to Bbone.

The insides fit fine without any modification.

[b4uqzme]

the slide lever cut out is a little too large.

[b4uqzme]

the backstrap seam and the fit at the magwell is near perfect!

[b4uqzme]

here's where it gets a little tough to describe. Take a look at the pictures. At the top of the backstrap. There are some exposed sharp frame corners. I think there just needs to be a little more material there/ a change in the radius/ cross section. I hope the pictures can show what I am trying to say. I've included pics of the wood grips so you can see Hogue's solution.