"Chris, it was worth the wait. The grips fit perfectly and look terrific on the Blackhawk. Thanks for you patience and hard work."
Tom G. in Murrieta, CA.
NEWS: For the benefit of our customers and to ensure customer satisfaction, as of January, 2010, Chris will only be making fitted custom grips for customers that are willing to provide their grip frame for final fitting. This is due to tolerance variations in grip frames and includes Ruger and Colt single action grips.
The Grips
At Chisel and Plane Workshop we strive to produce the best looking and feeling handgun grips possible for the collector and cowboy single action shooter. We realize the importance of a good pair of grips. Single action grips need to feel good in the hand while shooting as well as be appealing to the eye. Each pair of grips are made by hand in our workshop by professional Cabinetmaker and Woodworker, D. Chris Whisler. The grips are made from an array of woods and materials including many types of exotic woods and Micarta for simulated ivory. Only properly dried wood that has been carefully selected for the making of grips is used. Some of the wood in our inventory has been stored in our heated shops for more than fifteen years. Each set of grip blanks are book matched and numbered. Hardware such as medallions, escutcheons (panel ferrules) and grip screws are new factory hardware. It is a labor intensive process to hand produce a set of single action grips. Chris takes great pride in his work and each set of grips are signed.
Fitted and Finished: Fitted means that the grips have been final fitted and are ready to be installed.
For the benefit of our customers and to ensure customer satisfaction, Chris will only final fit custom grips if the customer provides their grip frame for fitting.
This is due to tolerance variations in grip frames and includes Ruger and Colt single action grips. Grip kits are also available. Please see our Grip Kit page for more information.
The Perfect Fit: To insure a perfect fit of the new grips to your gun, it is best if you send your Ruger grip frame or Colt trigger guard and backstrap (not the entire gun) to us for fitting of the new grips. Please consider this option at time of order.
Oversized: Oversized means the grips are not final fitted to a grip frame. The grips will come with grip panel ferrules installed and grip screw.
Once you receive your oversized grips, please confirm that the grips are large enough to fit your grip frame. DO NOT alter the grips before first checking the fit. If they don't look like they will work for your gun send them back unaltered for a refund, see refund guarantee below.
Wood: Below is a list of exotic and domestic wood that we keep in stock.
American Black Walnut - Plain and figured
Claro Walnut - Plain and figured
Bolivian Rosewood
Cherry
Cocobolo
Lacewood
Maple - Plain, birdseye, curly and spalted
Purple Heart
Zebrawood
Ivory Micarta: We use paper based Micarta for the making of simulated ivory grips. Micarta has the look and feel of real ivory. The color we use is an off-white cream color that resembles lightly aged ivory.
Grip Thickness: Because each pair of grips are made by hand, custom thickness is possible.
For custom orders, two thickness choices are available:
- Gunfighter - These have a slimmer profile than original factory wood grips.
- Standard - Thickness of original factory wood grips.
Finish: Chris takes great care in the finishing of the grips. Finish is a very critical step in the making of a good pair of single action handgun grips. The finish not only effects the appearance but also the feel. When finished, our grips have a natural, satin smooth look and feel to them. We don't believe wood grips (or anything made from wood) should look or feel like it has been plastic coated. Only the best quality finishing supplies are used in the finishing process. At Chisel and Plane Workshop, we use oil-based Polyurethane varnish finish on our grip panels. Oil-based Polyurethane (also known as oil-modified) produces a tough finish that holds up well with use and handling. The finish is applied to the grip panels in multiple thin coats with fine sanding between coats. The end product is a pair of grips with a satin smooth look and feel. On some exotic woods that are enriched with natural oil, such as rosewood and cocobolo, the grips are highly polished and then waxed.
Beveled: Unless otherwise noted or specified in a custom order, all of our SA grip panels are beveled (angled) at the bottom. If you would prefer flat, please specify at time of order.
Custom Orders: Most of our grips are custom order. Please see our
Custom Order page for more information.
Ruger Grip Frames: Over the years Ruger has used different grip frames for their single actions. Below you will find information for some of the more popular Ruger grip frames that we make grips for. You can contact us if you need further assistance identifying your Ruger grip frame type.
Year Grip Frame Gun
1953 – 1962 XR3 Single Six, Flattop Blackhawks
1962 – 1973 XR3-RED Single Six, Super Single Six, Hawkeye, Old Army
1972 – Present XRN-3RED New Model Single Six, Super Single Six, Blackhawk, Vaquero
2004 – Present NEW XR3 “New” Vaquero, Anniversary Blackhawk Flattops
Colt SAA: Our Colt grips are 3rd generation profile and are easily fitted for 1st and 2nd generation and most Colt clone guns. Location holes are not drilled to allow for proper fitting to your grip frame.
Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are not happy with the fit or quality, return the grips in the same unaltered condition as received within ten (10) days and we will refund you the purchase price (less shipping charge) or make you a new set of grips, whichever you prefer. Grips must be received by Chisel and Plane Workshop no later than ten (10) days from date of original shipment. Please DO NOT alter the fit or finish if you intend to return them. Any alterations you make to the grips will void the refund. Refund does not apply for orders shipped outside of the United States, grips that have been fitted to customers grip frame, personalized custom grips, grips made from wood supplied by customer or grips that become lost or damaged during shipping.
Providing customers with high quality, custom order Ruger and Colt grip panels.
Chisel and Plane Workshop, 117 Running Bear Drive, Sardinia, Ohio USA 45171
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About Our Grips