Just curious why his line of grips sell for so much new or used.They are beautiful no doubt ,but after market non original to any gun.Is the quality that good to justify the price,or are they just taking advantage of the crazy current market for Smith wood.Other than checkering I can't tell any real difference between his and Kurac's.
What makes Keith Brown stocks the price of a coffee table?
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Both John and Keith do great work. Keith puts a LOT of time in his grips and his are quite historically accurate. I don't own any, but I would buy his grips before I spent the dollars that a nice set of Cokes command.....
I understand why a collector would want correct grips on his gun.But would a collector opt for a set of his cokes over factory originals?How would that affect the value vs original cokes.and lastly do you suppose customers are buying them to get new perfection out of a set.Sorry to hit you with so many questions LOL just trying to educate myself a little more.
The cost of the poplar panel, paint, and frame weren't that much on the Mona Lisa. It's the quality of the labor that adds value! 
Check out his web page or even better,his stocks in person.Higher quality wood and checking than cokes or Ropers.
Keith takes beautiful "old stuff" and believe it or not "improves" on it, both with his own from fresh or a re do.........top notch, quality, and lots of time and effort...maybe you can afford to pay someone like that "by the hour"
sipowicz
Member
If you purchase the optional set of tiny wood legs, you can actually use his grips as a small coffee table.
gregintenn
Member
I'd rather make a coffee table.
Let's say you wanted to save money by trying to make your own stocks similar to what Keith Brown makes. OK...first go out and buy all the same equipment he has. Then, research everything about learning how to do the job. Then, spend thousands of hours practicing your new woodworking craft. If you ever get to the point where you could duplicate what he does, how much would you have invested (time, equipment, and materials) at that point?
That's why Keith's grips cost what they do....because they're worth it.
That's why Keith's grips cost what they do....because they're worth it.
From his websight; Keith Brown Grips - Home
Making each set of grips by hand allows me complete control over all aspects of construction. I use no copying equipment. Each set is internally routed, shaped, and finished by hand. One of the most time consuming aspects is the hand checkering cut one line at a time. This makes for slow progress but results in a truly handmade grip.
I used to make custom furniture and I'd get comments from people telling me how they can get the same thing from Walmart for a lot less.
And now that I do leatherwork, people tell me how they can get a "genuine leather" belt from the Dollar General for $10.
There's a huge difference between something mass produced in a factory using material from the lowest bidder and something custom hand crafted by an artisan from individually hand selected materials of the highest quality.
Making each set of grips by hand allows me complete control over all aspects of construction. I use no copying equipment. Each set is internally routed, shaped, and finished by hand. One of the most time consuming aspects is the hand checkering cut one line at a time. This makes for slow progress but results in a truly handmade grip.
I used to make custom furniture and I'd get comments from people telling me how they can get the same thing from Walmart for a lot less.
And now that I do leatherwork, people tell me how they can get a "genuine leather" belt from the Dollar General for $10.
There's a huge difference between something mass produced in a factory using material from the lowest bidder and something custom hand crafted by an artisan from individually hand selected materials of the highest quality.
I don't own any wood that's been shaped by Keith or John. The cost is not really the deterrent, though. Their breath-taking artistry would be wasted on my rag-tag assemblage of old Smith & Wesson shooters. I would, however, cherish the opportunity to hold and aim a revolver that is adorned by their stocks. Just once. They are simply beautiful.
smokey04
Member
In real estate they say,"location, location. location ".Here I would offer," craftsmanship, quality, craftsmanship,quality, craftsmanship,and QUALITY. A Chevrolet will get you where you want to go but a Cadillac in the driveway makes your neighbors take a second look and wonder! Nick
I have to honestly say I doubt a collector who is looking for the perfect factory example would opt for either KB or Kurac grips. There are many collectors and accumulators (more my classification) that would get a set of Keiths grips for a special gun that was deserving of fine wood. In my case, I would love to put a set of his nicely figured Presentation grips on my dads 38/44, to honor both his memory and the gun. I know that many members here have put his grips on very valuable guns that they would do justice to (RegMags (mostly I've seen his PreWar Magnas go on these), modified RegMags that now have little collector value (please refer to Keith44Spl and some of his fine .44s), and even a few very nicely engraved guns.
As far as value, I don't know about anyone else but I would pay a premium for a gun with a set of Keiths grips on it. I really can't say what motivations folks have for buying them, other than what I have already outlined. I do know that he does fine work for sure.
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I have a set of Keith's Ropers on display in my bookcase in my living room.
I gave away the gun I originally bought the grips for, and have yet to decide which gun to put them on next. In the meantime, I just admire their beauty and craftsmanship.
I gave away the gun I originally bought the grips for, and have yet to decide which gun to put them on next. In the meantime, I just admire their beauty and craftsmanship.
The Reason Keith's Work Is So Valuable
Keith is not only a master at his craft he is also an artists. What differentiates his work from "Original" factory stocks is that Keith's are much better than the originals plus he uses more exotic woods and his checkering is "Perfection", period. Oh Yea, in addition to all the above he is a perfectionist. Your guns will be extremely pleased to wear his masterpieces.
Keith is not only a master at his craft he is also an artists. What differentiates his work from "Original" factory stocks is that Keith's are much better than the originals plus he uses more exotic woods and his checkering is "Perfection", period. Oh Yea, in addition to all the above he is a perfectionist. Your guns will be extremely pleased to wear his masterpieces.
TheHobbyist
SWCA Member
I remember when I first started collecting antiques, an 'ole timer told me: You can always tell quality.
If you have a discerning taste, you will always notice the craftsmanship.
If you have a discerning taste, you will always notice the craftsmanship.
williamlayton
Member
I don't know---I tried, alas, it did not work out.
Blessings
Blessings
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Quality of workmanship, high grade wood used, precision of fit & finish, reputation over time, demand for his product and aesthetics.
He prices them as to what the Market is willing to pay - just like any other high end commodity.
He is manufacturing a product that is practically impossible for average people to duplicate.
He prices them as to what the Market is willing to pay - just like any other high end commodity.
He is manufacturing a product that is practically impossible for average people to duplicate.
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rbert0005
Member
Where else can you get something like these?
Bob
Bob
