I have a Military & Police .38 // k frame. I don't care for the original grips - too skinny. I do like the fit and feel of my Uncle Mikes rubber grips & they are practical and utilitarian... But the black rubber clashes stylistically with a 1940s era classic. I don't have any ivory but do own some large 5 pt. bull elk antlers That I can chop up. I am sure I could buy some from a professional ... but I made my own turkey calls (slate & box) and they turned out well (and fooled 2 toms). I have a drill, Dremel tool, rasps & files, palm sander, saws and Home Depot etc. to work with.
Thanks - another garage shop tinkerer.
Clean Break

Give it a go and report back with the results.

__________________
Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

There was a thread about a year ago about a guy who made his own stag grips. I'll see whether I can find it and will get back to you.

Froggie

PS Having found and reread the aforementioned thread, I don't know how much good it will do you, but anyway, here it is for what it's worth;

stag grips

Maybe you can at least get some ideas out of it.

Froggie

Step 1: find antlers

That would put it out of reach for me, as we dont have Elk, Raindeer, Caribu, Stags here and dont know what the logistics would be of shipping antlers.

In an attempt to be useful rather than comical-- First some prep: make an accurate template or pattern of the frame of the gun where the grip has to fit. Flat sheet aluminum is good. Some sheet plastics would do. You will probably have to punch out the locating pin from the pistol frame to get access close enuf to the frame. Same applies when finally fitting grip to gun.

1. You need to select a surface area on the antler that will approximate the size of the finished grip, a bit bigger than minimum.

2. Next cut it out thick enough to flatten what will be the inside of the grip. Make it a little thicker than you think you will need.

3. Then start working it down from the inside, keeping it flat and getting the taper you will need.

4. Once satisfied your 'then made' blank is OK, use your above-mentioned template to carefully profile your grip. You fit your grip to your accurate template. If you try to use the gun you will eventually mark its finish. If finish on the gun doesn't matter, do as you want.

5. Repeated filings on your grip blank will get you to a fitted flat side that you can put against the gun. Some more off-gun fitting will be required for best fit. When you are satisfied with fit, clamp the grip to the frame and back drill thru the locating pin hole so the grip will fit the frame properly.

6. Assuming both grips are at this point you can locate and drill your screw hole. Copy the same kind of screw & screw adapters as on original grips.

7. Working off the gun, shape the outside of the grips to your satisfaction.

Notes: Having never made grips before, you will save yourself time and grief if you make at least one side grip of hardwood for the experience. It is good practice to do a fit-check before you get quite to what you think is right - it's hard to put back material you shouldn't have filed away. Accuracy in making your template is a most important first step - and be sure it doesn't get filed as you work. Make a new one if you need to.

Hope this helps.

If I may make a suggestion. Please wear some kind of face mask as breathing in all the dust from making your grips isn't good for you. Have seen some info regarding this but google is your friend. I have asbestosis and limited breathing capacity from breathing in the asbestos fibers among other things like fly ash (residue from burning coal) and other dusts. Frank

rhmc24: Thank you for the thorough and thought out answer. I wish I had a rusty, broken square butt K-frame to work off of as a template. Anyone want to donate one to me? I'd offer to take you salmon fishing in the Columbia River if you did. I was looking in the classifieds at grips shaped similarly to what I want.... wow, there's a lot of internal inletting I'll get to wrestle with.. worst case scenario, I'll create a mound of dust and burn up a few hours this summer when I have an extended vacation. I like the idea of making some hardwood grips as practice first. I happen to have some gorgeous walnut and some nicely figured myrtlewood I could practice first with. Since I plan to own more K-frames down the road, I'd like to have additional grips anyway and with my experience with wood and it's properties, it makes sense.

Frank46: I appreciate the warning about the dust. As I age, I realize the benefit of protecting what I have all the more; I am already a fan of hearing & eye protection, gloves and lifejackets. Thanks.
Clean Break

Watch out if you ever make grips out of cocobolo. I did a knife kit a long time back and started to get a reaction from the dust while sanding. I too have become a fan of hearing protection as I wear a hearing aid. Bought a spare set of ear muffs like those used for shooting and anytime I drive the tractor, chainsaw, or other noise maker they are on my head. Goggles when grinding, and gloves most anything else. Don't have a boat so no life jackets yet. Frank