Come Into Bawanna's Famous Grip Emporium

[jlottmc]

Ahh no worries Mr. B. I like that Mesquite as is. I may have you do some inserts for the GP100, and a set of combat grips for my other 357 out of some of that if you get some breather time. Thing is, I have no idea what I would want to do with all of that right now. The other part is that I'm looking at a tabletop band saw, and a sewing machine (yes I said that, and it is for projects that are gun related), but then the curse-ed gun bug is back in full flare. I need to hit the lottery, or start robbing some drug dealers.

[bigmacque]

I buy a lot of wood from these guys, bwanna, and they're great at responding to "I'm looking for some ..... " requests. Tell 'em the Ishpeming Group sent you.

[Bawanna]

Thanks bigmacque, I'll check em out.

Now tell me what you need handles for so I can put you on the list which isn't terribly long at the moment relatively speaking. Don't take much to keep me busy ya know.

[bigmacque]

Well I'll tell you what I'll do .... I'm about 3/4 of the way into a pair for my Springfield Armory GI.45 Micro Compact; when I get them done I'll give you first look and you can critique my efforts.

Then we'll talk about the Combat Magnum.

I've twice purchased a 10lb box of Craft Wood from Bell; it's basically 10lbs of scraps. I've come out of that with some really cool looking wood pieces though, and most of them are just the right size for grips. That's where I found the spalted maple that I'm using for my current project. But I've picked out nice chunks of mahogany, ebony, purpleheart, tiger wood ... all sorts of nice wood from their craft wood boxes. It's $25 for 10lbs of scraps of some really cool stuff.

[Bawanna]

Well I'll tell you what I'll do .... I'm about 3/4 of the way into a pair for my Springfield Armory GI.45 Micro Compact; when I get them done I'll give you first look and you can critique my efforts.

Then we'll talk about the Combat Magnum.

I've twice purchased a 10lb box of Craft Wood from Bell; it's basically 10lbs of scraps. I've come out of that with some really cool looking wood pieces though, and most of them are just the right size for grips. That's where I found the spalted maple that I'm using for my current project. But I've picked out nice chunks of mahogany, ebony, purpleheart, tiger wood ... all sorts of nice wood from their craft wood boxes. It's $25 for 10lbs of scraps of some really cool stuff.

I didn't realize I was conversing with a fellow wood butcher. Some of those craft wood boxes can be real gems. Is any of that stuff they sell at Bell stabilized or treated? Spalted maple is usually pretty fragile stuff till its treated to some resin.
I'll look forward to seeing them Springfield handles when you get em done but expect very little criticism from me. Knowing what it takes to make them makes me pretty easy on the report cards.
I'm gonna go look at the Bell site a little closer.

[TucsonMTB]

Bawanna Super Thins Arrive!

Well, we had a couple of events here in the Tucson region today. First, we experienced our second 100 degree or warmer day of the year. Second, the faithful US Post Office delivered a First Class Package.



As you can see, not only was it sent First Class, but the contents are First Class as well. Yes, the "shipping protector" is a nice grip scale, already cut to rough shape. Mesquite I'm guessing. Bawanna thinks of everything!



Before you can say "Esmeralda also makes grips" three times, they were mounted on my Dan Wesson Classic Commander Bobtail (CBOB for short). It had been waiting patiently nearby, sans grips since yesterday. This picture of the left side illustrates Bawanna's remarkably elegant checkering and the unique support for the plunger tube, usually not possible with thin grips.



Here you can get an impression of how thin they are and how the plunger tube area is carefully kept at full standard grip thickness while the rest of the grip is carved away.



Here's the other side with matching checkering and a nice book end grain match. Notice how well the warm brown tones in the stabilized Box Elder wood complement the color of this natural horsehide, High Noon Speedy Spanky paddle holster. Is that cool or what!?

What you can't easily appreciate from just seeing these grips is how nice the mat finish is and the way wonderfully slender profile make them feel in the hand.

Notice the elegantly shaped and beautifully executed border around the checkered area. This is only possible with hand checkering and is a technique that first made me a fan of Esmeralda O'Sheehan, the queen of grip makers. She often did something similar back when she was completing her grips by hand.

Only someone who loves working with wood would be willing to include this kind of detail and aspire to this level of artistry. And, that would be our very own Bawanna!

I am absolutely delighted.

Thank you, Bawanna!

[Bawanna]

It is I who should thank you Tucson, such a glowing and interesting report, right up there with the original Old Lincoln report that started this report. Right from out of the box, what a nice touch. I had to get a hanky, I was in near tears.
I'm obviously quite biased but those look darn fine or perhaps its good outdoor lighting and good photography. Your gun is also a book end match to mine which I love immensely.
I'm tickled that your pleased, and I thank you for such a nice write up.

[jocko]

those grips tucson are just awesome. They look so so classy on that slow shooting 45, that maybe those grips might even speed up the round a tad.

I just kills me to have to compliment the "great one", for his head is so damn big now and I know it is not good for his health either to give him glowing remarks. so maybe I can temper that by saying the grips are just so so but your gun and that awesome holster make the grips look better than they are.


couse that would be a lie, so Have to stick with my statements.



THEY ARE AWESOME. We have a master loose on this forum and he should have his own cage to work out of on this forum..

BUT BUT THEY don't compare to the tit-y pink grips he redone for my J frame..

[jocko]

I thought esmeralda was super with 1911 thins, but I think the old great one is now tops.

[Bawanna]

Thanks for the kind words, Bawanna. I just call 'em how I see them.

By the way, today was an excellent day at the range. Very comfortable and the shape of the left grip provides a nice place for the thumb. Life is good!

Life is indeed good. Excellent day at the range would imply no cracks. I think the issues I had before were completely poorly stabilized wood and not my fitting. JohnH shot his 10mm with no report of cracks so I'm feeling pretty good.
Now if I can get the damn loading gate back in a 1894 I'm working on, they can be a royal pain. I can get a start on jimbar's Vaquero handles.
NIce day here, almost too warm to do stuff outside when your soft as me. I did pull a couple stumps this morning and that about done me in so back to the man cave.

Thanks for the nice words guys, remember I can that tire valve so when the head gets too swelled I just bleed a little off.

[Kahrson]

Oh lordy those are some beautiful grips Tuscon! Please please Bawanna figure out the K9 grip issue my Elite is just begging to be wearing some of your fine work!!

[bigmacque]

Wow, those are some nice looking grips. Great job Bwanna, and thanks for sharing them Tucson.

Yes Bwanna, much of the Bell wood is either treated or kiln dried, so it's ready for work. I've made some tables from a few large chunks of Bubinga, and several cutting boards, as well as a variety of kitchen tools -- wooden spoons, spatula's, stirrers and the like -- from several different species, at least one of which I've yet to identify. I'll post a pic and maybe you can take a guess too.

[recoilguy]

I have not frequented the site much lately, very busy time of the year and shoot USPSA so I go to the CZ site when I do have free time to chat about my SP-01.

Bawanna....dude you do such great work I might have to just buy a 1911 so I can sport some of that fine craftsmanship you put into your handles. It is like gun porn when I look at this thread. They just keep getting better all the time.

RCG

[Bawanna]

I have not frequented the site much lately, very busy time of the year and shoot USPSA so I go to the CZ site when I do have free time to chat about my SP-01.

Bawanna....dude you do such great work I might have to just buy a 1911 so I can sport some of that fine craftsmanship you put into your handles. It is like gun porn when I look at this thread. They just keep getting better all the time.

RCG

Thanks. Like everything else its an ongoing improvement process. I like making them and enjoy the critique and opinions I get right here. The absolute best part is getting them to people that appreciate them. The tire valve in my head keeps the swelled head at bay so I'm semi ok in that respect.
Some of the materials are new to me and "Better Stuff" as found by members here also. The wifes wondering why I get little packages all the time, it's people sending wood.
It's actually kind of a nice camoflage. Now when I get a package like my forth coming Silent Thunder holster I can just tell her, another piece of wood.
More work. Yee haw.

Incidently I've yet to find a CZ that I can borrow to build a set on. The quest continues. The wife just ain't buying the "I need one so I can make grips on it, it's not like I want to shoot it or play with it, or keep it with me all the time, it's just work" Not buying that at all....damn

[recoilguy]

Thanks Buddy.....I'd let you use mine but I am using it very regularily right now. When someone lends you theirs I will be you best CZ customer. No doubt!

Keep up the excellent work!

RCG