Custom Wood Grips

[smoky]

I am thinking that I would like a set of wood grips for my Encore (Custom or aftermarket, not the factory walnut).  I would like something nice but usable for hunting.  Price is also a factor, as I would like to get the best deal for the money.  I know very little about grades of wood for firearms and/or putting the finish on them.  I have visited Boyds, VVCG, and Bullberry's sites and I have the following questions.

1. Will the lower quality wood grades (utility, etc) finish to a nice   appearance?

2.  How difficult is it to finish them yourself or should the extra money be spent for them to do it?

3.  Should I be looking at a certain style of grip (i.e. to tame recoil in the event I shoot a long rifle caliber as a pistol)?

4.  Who has the best deal going on these?

5. In your opinion what looks the best on a stainless frame?

The answers to these questions plus any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Smoky

[/quote]

[22hornet]

Hello well lets see for me I like the looks of the grey or black laminate on the S/S frames but that might be me I just like laminates.  But just to let it be known I got a custom Encore pistol and forend I went with High grade English Walnut with ebony tips and all I can say is its beautiful.  I would recommend them again to anyone in a heart beat.  Now that I got a S/S Contender though I plan on getting a grey or black laminate set up for it but I might try out Bullberry cause thats who made the barrel for it.  So many decisions.  Also I had them finish it because I am lazy.  You can see some of the Utility grade on Varmint Al's sight it looks good to me.  Not sure what the sight is.  Other than that good luck.  Its a rough decision.

Mike

[Ladobe]

Smoky -

1. Bullberry's utilty grade is well above anything you'd get in factory wood, but I think he is still doing the automatic one level upgrade for no extra charge thing.   I know it wouldn't take anymore than asking Fred to pick out a nice chunk of wood for your set to get it.

2. Depends on what kind of finish you want on your wood.   Fred's standard is a hard epoxy finish that will take a lot of abuse, but its fairly glossy (although you could knock it down easily with a little 5/0 steel wool).   His more expensive oil finish is hand rubbed.   Doing it yourself depends on your time and ability I guess.   The hand rubbed can be labor intensive if you do a lot of thin coats for the hardest, most durable finish (I go as many as 20 coats on my custom calls for example).   Only you can decide pard.

3. If you send Fred your hand size (a scan or photocopy that shows the edges/joints) he'll fit the grip to your hand for no extra charge.

4. Bullberry does all my custom wood (for a reason).  :wink:

5. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.   IMO, stainless looks best with the darker woods, or the darker laminates if you like them.   If you're going to eventually get into the bigger handcannons, you'll buy a set of Pachy's sooner or later too.

Just my $1 worth (inflation) - hope it helps.