Holly stocks

[Trooper224]

Yesterday I received this set made of American Holly, from Wood Caliber. I've owned real ivory grips as well as most of the faux substitutes, and Holly is the closest I've seen to ivory. The grain is very tight and straight, closely resembling ivory. Being a natural material it has a nice warm feel, unlike most of the synthetics. It will also yellow over time. Very nice.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I also looked into holly as a grip substitute. I did make a spacer for my Schofield grips out of some thin holly.

 

[Gene L]

Holly was used back in the day to make keyholes because it contrasted to furniture hardwood and mainly I think it was wear resistant.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Well...live & learn! Really nice!

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

You did really well IMO.

Holly is an awesome wood. As a woodworker I can attest to that. It is both very hard and very durable. While it generally does not exhibit a lot of figure it has a really attractive luster to it. Normally it is not found in large pieces as the trees themselves do not grow to a large size. It is highly sought after by those that make high dollar pool sticks. Additionally due to it's hardness it is often used in high dollar wood carving gouges. Nice score!

 

[jc2721]

Holly does yellow nicely with age--these are French Holly on the Colt WWI Commemorative (Second Battle of the Marne) These guns were produced in 1967 to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the US's entry into the Great War:



The Royal Blue on this gun is the best I've ever seen.

 

[mikerjf]

I’ve made at least 4 sets from holly and love it. My 642 has high-horn holly magnas that are probably my best so far.

Holly is easy to work with other than needing a little care so far as burning. It’s the perfect material for getting the ivory vibe on the cheap.

 

[edwardyoung]

Here’s an Old Model Ruger I bought that came with Holly grips by CLC Grips. They’ve mellowed/yellowed nicely. The Ruger was originally a 357/9mm Convertible that Dave Clements converted to 44 Special/44-40.

 

[Narragansett]

Very nice OP. I am looking for a set for a Colt 1911.

These are holly on a M29

 

[randyp]

Culina American Holly on 586

Culina grips American Holly, purchased in early 2018. S&W 586 4". Creamy white originally, yellowed over 5 years of ownership.

 

[xray97]

Culina Holly less than a year old on M10-5.

 

[Trooper224]

Holly does yellow nicely with age--these are French Holly on the Colt WWI Commemorative (Second Battle of the Marne) These guns were produced in 1967 to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the US's entry into the Great War:



The Royal Blue on this gun is the best I've ever seen.

When I was young, the hometown WesternAuto had one of those on the gun counter, in a glass case. I lusted after it for most of my childhood. Beautiful pistol.

 

[BillBro]

Holly does yellow nicely with age--these are French Holly on the Colt WWI Commemorative (Second Battle of the Marne) These guns were produced in 1967 to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the US's entry into the Great War:



The Royal Blue on this gun is the best I've ever seen.

Agreed. An extraordinarily beautiful 1911.

 

[Onomea]

Those holly grips look very nice. I'm impressed.

I have a couple of elephant ivory grips on revolvers, and at one point had one of the better imitations, but sold it quickly as it seemed so inferior to the real thing.

I bet holly would carve very nicely. I wonder if any of the craftsmen who carved ivory grips have tried holly? Holly steer heads, for example...

 

[Bullet Bob]

Wood Caliber makes some great grips; well made, and they fit very well.

 

[xray97]

Those holly grips look very nice. I'm impressed.

I have a couple of elephant ivory grips on revolvers, and at one point had one of the better imitations, but sold it quickly as it seemed so inferior to the real thing.

I bet holly would carve very nicely. I wonder if any of the craftsmen who carved ivory grips have tried holly? Holly steer heads, for example...

I haven’t heard of any but wouldn’t that be cool?!

 

[Gamecock]

My question was "How does it age?"

Above posts say it ages well.

What's not to like? Looks like an excellent substitute for ivory.

Though I complain about the speciesism. Man has judged that it's not okay to kill elephants, but it's okay to kill hollies. Hollies are just as alive as elephants. Does anyone have ethically sourced holly grips (made from dead trees laying on the ground)?

 

[Imissedagain]

And Hannibal said to Clarice, " do you still hear the screaming of the Hollies."

 

[BARgunner]

That set on randyp's 586 are spectacular as well as the set on xray97's M10. I'll have to contact Culina about a set for one of my 27's.
I've got Holly on a couple of USFA Single Actions. They have held up well over the years and have a great feel to them.

 

[bill-in-texas]

Beautiful!
I really like the look of holly on those one-piece stocks on SAAs. ^^^
-Bill