New fancy walnut grips from Culina

[Steve357]

This is a Model 29-6 I got new 19 years ago. It's been a workhorse and has had 1000's of rounds put through it. I figured it was time for some new shoes. I supplied a pretty block of Claro walnut and John Culina machined a set of round to square butt "Cokes" for me. He left them unfinished so that I could do the final sanding and finishing. They fit and feel great!! So far I've put 5 coats of True-Oil on them. I kind of like the satin finish so I'm not sure if I'll put anymore coats on them or not.

 

[Iggy]

Finer than frog's hair.... I like them.

 

[kozmic]

Looks like you did your final sand with 10,000 grit toilet paper. Those things are smooooth! Well done and the fit great.

 

[JohnRippert]

Those are very, very nice.

 

[CoMF]

Very handsome and finely finished. LOVE the grain on those.

Now the big question: How does it shoot with those stocks?

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Those are very nice looking!

 

[shouldazagged]

Beautiful grain. That's the nicest walnut I've seen in a long time, and you finished it very well indeed.

 

[jimtr6]

Those are truly beautiful grips.

Looks like you did your final sand with 10,000 grit toilet paper. Those things are smooooth! Well done and the fit great.

You can find 100 grit toilet paper in most public rest rooms.

 

[Culina]

They came out nice, I like them. Did you have any trouble sanding through that super glue?

 

[Steve357]

They came out nice, I like them. Did you have any trouble sanding through that super glue?

No, not at all. I sanded the superglue with 220, then I followed your directions sanding the True Oil with 240 320 and 400 grit. I rubbed them with steel wool between coats to remove the milky haze. The final 2 coats were just True Oil hand rubbed and lightly rubbed with steel wool after it dried to smooth them out, then a coat of lemon Pledge to finish them off.

 

[Tom_R]

I am big fan of Kurac Grips/Stocks, as well as John And Jennifer Culina.

I have Kuracs on my 28-2, on my 629-1, and I have a very, very special set of roasted Birds Eye Maple targets for an undetermined N-Frame. I may put them on my Nickel 27-2 and be done with it, but I kind of want to put them on a blued gun. We will see what happens though.

Regarding the Stocks on your 29, first off I have to say, that is a mighty fine revolver, you obviously take good care of it. Those stocks look outstanding on that 29-6.

Normally I prefer medallions on stocks, but in this case, they would take away from what you have. The grain and color of the wood is simply outstanding.

You should be proud to carry and shoot that weapon. Very, very nice sir!

 

[bananaman]

Nothing adds more to a fine gun than beautiful grips! Wood is Good! Bob

 

[Batts]

Great choice in wood.

I have several revolvers and a 30-30 in black walnut.

I did a light 240 sanding, a scotchbrite and then a steel wool rubdown and just used medical clean mineral oil for a few days until they wouldn't take any more.

The finish is nearly flat and very warm and has just enough traction.

I don't go for the shiney but they will buff to a gloss if I change my mind.

Batts

 

[JCS&W]

Big fan of John's work. Top of the line workmanship! Congrats!!!

 

[80sgyrene]

Don't get me wrong.... those are beautiful grips. great wood, great grain , great fitting......but to me checkering always adds that little extra something.... to me, wood that nice deserves the extra mile.....great hand cut checkering........ just a personal opinion. I can picture that grain popping out of some fine cut lines.....

 

[j38]

Thanks for the post & pics. That is some of the finest wood I've seen in a long time. John's grips feel as good as they look - I know. Now I've got to find myself a tree like the one you tapped into.

Jerry

 

[theoneff]

Very nice, as a pipe smoker I would really enjoy Having a pipe made out of that walnut. As nice as I have seen in any brier pipe. Cheers

 

[ontargetagain]

I did a lot of woodworking in the past and many of my projects were motivated simply from finding a piece of nice wood with a beautiful grain to it...........You have found some nice harmony here as these truly look beautiful and not too garish at all. I really like your choice in finishing using a low lustre rather than a high gloss, seems to have more color and warmth like this.
I recently purchased a slightly used 625 JM and must say that the wood grips supplied are pretty boring in grain and character. I just so happen to have a wonderful chunk of walnut that might have to find its way to being some new grips and I too like the conversion to square from round.
Warmed teak oil can produce a nice hand rubbed finish on woods too.
Enjoy your 'refreshed' loyal shooter!
KW

 

[SuperMan]

..just stunning.