A new set of Culina Grips - Something Different, Lignum Vitae

[sceva]

Hi all;

I have another set of Culina grips on the way and I'd like to share. They are a little different from the Walnuts, maples and other woods.
K Square Targets in Lignum Vitae, a wood so heavy and dense it sinks in water; also one of the hardest woods known.

Jennifer e-mails a photo of the blanks and I had to get them. Don'y know whet they will go on yet though.

Here is a photo of the blanks



and one of the finished product Jennifer sent yesterday. Got a good deal because of the small knot but I like the character it adds.



Will post more photos when received

 

[jimmyj]

That wood made the best night sticks / batons ever.
A wood worker friend of mine made me a pair of grips for a Webley Mk IV
back in the 1950s. The grips were awesome.

 

[sceva]

Here are some photos

The grain in this wood is interlocking resulting in the alternating angles. I like the swirls and color on these.

 

[sceva]

Added better photos


enjoy

 

[Grip_Maker's_Wife]

Great pictures Paul. They show the interesting grain patterns the wood has which remind me of a herringbone pattern one sees in a suit. This set also had iridescence which I hadn't seen in the wood before. Pretty neat! Thank you for sharing your pictures. I hope you find a nice K or L frame to put them on.

If anyone is curious about the wood and wants to do a little reading, it is interesting to read about on Wikipedia. The wood was used for anything from police batons to submarine bearings. it is self-lubricating and has a waxy feel. It also has the most divine floral scent. We don't take orders for this wood. We lucked into a few pieces over the years but it is not easy to find.

 

[sceva]

Just bringing to the top because I like looking at these.

The grain and coloration is very unique with this wood and these grips. I feel lucky to have them considering how few sets John makes with Lignum Vitae and considering that importation of Lignum Vitae in various variations is nor controlled by CITES who knows if there will be more. I like to just get them out and look at them.
They currently reside in a Glass fronted curio case with some of my other special things and keepsakes. However; I will be using them on my K-22 for when I want Targets on it instead of the Culina Magna's that reside on it mostly.

 

[sceva]

Thought I would try them on my K-22

The K-22 is also shown with it's every day grips, Culina fiddleback Claro Magna's