Favorite wood grips - ALLERGIES - suggestions?

[Pointshoot]

Hi guys - - - I don't know if many of you have run into this or heard about it, I sure didnt. Recently I got a very irritating rash when wearing an N frame S&W that has Ahrends cocobolo grips. I often carry concealed wearing a polo shirt or t shirt, and the grips can contact my skin. (Its usually much too hot for me to wear a t-shirt under another shirt to block the skin.) - - - Did some research and found out that some people can become allergic to the oils in many types of wood. Cocobolo is well known to cause this in people. Once you become sensitive, you can get the same reaction from many other varities of wood, particularly tropical ones. I spoke with Kim Ahrends and he said they have had some workers forced to quit over the years because they developed such allergies. I've tried other grips (including Altamonts) and they just don't fit me as well as the Ahrends - those seem to be custom made for my hand. For me, they draw quick & easy and naturally point to where I want to shoot. Also, I like wood instead of rubber because they don't hang up on a shirt. They also look nice.
I wonder if any of you have experienced this ? What did you do ? Maybe a holster with a bodyshield ? I have several of the cocobolo Ahrends that work so well for me & would prefer not to sell them. Thanks, - - -

 

[kBob]

Had a friend that carried a Chief's Special with Cocobolo grips in an ankle holster that gave him boils where the grip touched his calf. He just had to make do with other grips.

-kBob

 

[CraigC]

You can always order the Ahrends grips in other woods like walnut and maple.

Although I have to say that, as a feller who worked outside in Florida for 15yrs, wearing a light undershirt is cooler than going without.

 

[45_auto]

Use the wooden grips you like as a mold and cast you some aluminum, polymer, or acrylic grips.

 

[rcmodel]

I might attempt to seal them with a urethane bar top finish like Deft or Min-wax.

In order for it to adhere & dry properly, wash them in lacquer thinner or acetone first to get all the natural oil & wax off the surface.

rc

 

[MikeJackmin]

Another option to seal them is shellac. Shellac is pretty forgiving stuff, non-toxic, and easy to apply and remove. It dissolves in alcohol and can be easily stripped with a little ammonia.

Get the surface as clean and oil-free as you can before applying it.

I personally like the feel of shellac on grips and stocks, it's just a tiny bit grippier than an oil finish, but it still feels but smooth and clean.

 

[Pointshoot]

Thanks guys for your suggestions (and keep them coming !) Some good ideas here.

It seems that once you become sensitive, other woods can cause the same problems. Here's some info on wood sensitivity:

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/


I'm looking into having a custom holster with a bodyshield made that would extend up to where the grip is. I was also thinking about maple or walnut (as suggested). But as you can tell from the info in the link above, some of those varieties can cause irritation too.

I did try some various acrylic imgregnated grips (high tech 'plywood') They actually look very nice and there is no problem with skin reactions since wood is plasticized. But the ones I found didnt fit my hand as well personally.

I'll probably order a set of walnut Ahrends and wait for the time they take to get here. (They are slammed with orders and the last time it took quite awhile.) If they don't work for me, I can always sell them.

Thanks again.

 

[CraigC]

Cocobolo is so oily, I don't think any finish will penetrate the wood.

 

[Pointshoot]

Yes Kim Ahrends said that because of the oils in cocobolo, you cant seal them from getting to the suface. I asked him about refinishing with an acrylic. Its the oils in many woods that can be a problem for some people.

 

[CraigC]

I don't know if you realize this or not, but you would probably have a severe reaction to inhaling the dust from cocobolo. It's poisonous to begin with but an allergy would probably cause some serious problems.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Jim Badger grips

 

[Texan Scott]

Buy the same grips in walnut. At least it's not cat hair or something impossible to remove without setting fire to the house.

 

[Pointshoot]

Yes, as a matter of fact I was just now looking at the wood offered by Ahrends and I'll go with walnut next time. I'm also going to have a holster with a body shield made so I can continue to use the numerous grips I already have.



CraigC -- yes that's a very good point. Cocobolo grips aren't worth risking a major medical issue, thats for sure.

Also, as I understand it, - you can develop cross reactions to other woods once you become sensitive. Woods that were
no problem before can now cause a response. The whole thing is strange. I never had a problem with cocobolo or any
wood before, but Ive heard this isnt uncommon at all.

 

[Jaymo]

Cat hair IS impossible to remove without setting fire to the house.
The only things harder to remove are basset hound hair and squirrel hair

 

[savanahsdad]

good old varnish will seal them up

 

[hAkron]

I usually put a folded bandana in the waist band of my pants between the gun and my skin. You might try something like that.

 

[Texan Scott]

Darn it, I read that as "banana" TWICE.

 

[hAkron]

Darn it, I read that as "banana" TWICE.

hahahahaha

 

[beag_nut]

As a former furniture maker, I know well that many woods have properties which intrinsically cause allergic reactions in some people. And, curses, cocobolo is one of the worst. As a for-end treatment for a rifle stock, that's not a major issue. But for pistol grips, a definite no-no. The longer/more frequent someone is exposed to an allergic causative agent, the worse the reactions may become. Someday, you might never be able to even touch those grips. The only solution is to ditch those (rather pretty) grips, in favor of a neutral wood like maple. Tiger or birds-eye maple can be very pretty. Better to do it before a loved one needs to call an ambulance for you.

 

[Pointshoot]

beag_nut - - - thank you, that's a good point. Guess it'll be best to get rid of the cocobolo grips and order some in walnut and in maple. I do love the look of cocobolo and Kim Ahrends mentioned that its becoming increasingly difficult to source now. There's a lot of buyers out of China and they are buying it up like crazy.

 

[BCRider]

Look at woods for your grips that are commonly found as food utensils. Maple being a good one but many of the fruit and nut woods are options.

As mentioned cocobolo is one of the woods which is the most likely to cause allergic reactions. Another is Brazilian rosewood and TRUE south american mahogany. In fact it's wise to avoid ANY wood which has a reputation for having a waxy or oily makeup in your case since you are already sensitized by your issue with the cocobolo.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Maybe a holster with a bodyshield ? I have several of the cocobolo Ahrends that work so well for me & would prefer not to sell them. Thanks, - - -

I make all my concealment holsters that way -- I can't understand why almost no one else does, since if you wear under a shirt, the gun comes in contact with your body and that isn't good for the gun or your skin.

Start by lying the gun on a piece of paper and drawing a line all around the gun -- this becomes the back of the holster. Then trace the bottom part of the holster on another piece of paper. Cut out both tracings from leather and stitch them together.

I like to make "Reverst J Clips" from Kydex and attach then to the toe of the holster with Chicago screws. Working SnoSeal into the leather sweat-proofs it and prevents sweat and body oils seeping through and rusting the gun.

 

[Pointshoot]

BCRider -- yes, that's true. Ive learned that once you become sensitive, many types of wood can cause a reaction. Cocobolo is one of the worst for this.

Vern - - thank you for your ideas. A bodyshield looks like a something good to have in a leather holster whether youre sensitive to certain woods or not. I've been thinking about starting into leather work so I could make some knife sheaths. A pancake holster with the body shield sounds like a great project to do.

Ive got a pair of maple Ahrends grips on the way. Should be here before the weekend.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Vern - - thank you for your ideas. A bodyshield looks like a something good to have in a leather holster whether youre sensitive to certain woods or not. I've been thinking about starting into leather work so I could make some knife sheaths. A pancake holster with the body shield sounds like a great project to do.

Holsters like that are easy to make, and they conceal very well -- and they are comfortable. No gun butt digging into your love handles, no checkering abrading your skin.

 

[InkEd]

Fix #1: Wear an undershirt.

Fix #2: Open Carry.

Fix #3: Seal the grips with shellac or other sealant.

Fix #4: Have them made in walnut.

Fix #5: Buy a holster that covers your side.

Fix #6: Send me the grips and I'll swap them even for a Hogue monogrip.