New wood Grips Color Mismatch - big deal or normal?
- Thread starter elano
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ColtPythonElite
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I have never had a set that far off on color match.
bannockburn
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elano
Yes they definitely look mismatched in terms of their color. I had an extra set of grips for an N frame S&W that were like that; one side the wood looked to be walnut, the other side appeared to be mahogany. If it were me I would send them back.
Yes they definitely look mismatched in terms of their color. I had an extra set of grips for an N frame S&W that were like that; one side the wood looked to be walnut, the other side appeared to be mahogany. If it were me I would send them back.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
No, in this case I would not be happy with them. Every set I have bought looked like a much closer match. Also, while not a big deal all grips like that are not necessarily Colt manufactured. Here is an example of a gun I messed up:
I hit the gun with a spray cleaner before removing the grips and stripped the clear coat. I went online and found the below grips. While they have the Colt little gold seal the grips are not Colt manufacture. I also paid about $30 or $35 for the grips.
Every set of grips I have ever bought were well matched. I think I got the above from Midway. Anyway, I would not be pleased with the grips you posted.
Ron
I hit the gun with a spray cleaner before removing the grips and stripped the clear coat. I went online and found the below grips. While they have the Colt little gold seal the grips are not Colt manufacture. I also paid about $30 or $35 for the grips.
Every set of grips I have ever bought were well matched. I think I got the above from Midway. Anyway, I would not be pleased with the grips you posted.
Ron
AR-15Nutt
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not normal!, for a 1911 or any other pistol/revolver.
danez71
Member
Assuming this is a recent issue....
.... I'd be disappointed and contact the seller.
I'm no tree expert but I am my own carpenter.
IMO, when looking at the grain of the wood, particularly in the diamond, it doesn't look like it's same tree or possibly a different species.
If I had to guess I would guess the one on the right looks to be walnut and the left is something else like maple.
.... I'd be disappointed and contact the seller.I'm no tree expert but I am my own carpenter.
IMO, when looking at the grain of the wood, particularly in the diamond, it doesn't look like it's same tree or possibly a different species.
If I had to guess I would guess the one on the right looks to be walnut and the left is something else like maple.
As they say, "Today anything goes." In the past what you have wouldn't likely be seen. I would either send them back for replacement, or strip the finish off the light one, stain it darker to match the other side, and refinish it.
But I would only go to the second option if the seller wouldn't make an exchange, and remember the outcome the next time I had to order anything.
But I would only go to the second option if the seller wouldn't make an exchange, and remember the outcome the next time I had to order anything.
bannockburn
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danez71
That's kind of what I was thinking too; two different species of wood with maybe even a different stain used on each grip.
That's kind of what I was thinking too; two different species of wood with maybe even a different stain used on each grip.
Sunray
Member
Gigantic pictures of grips made from two different woods. I think, the lighter colour might be birch, but that's just a WHAG. Could be maple.
Either way that isn't a set of grips. $32 is pricey for mismatched grips. Herrett wants $38.95 for a BNIB set in walnut.
Either way that isn't a set of grips. $32 is pricey for mismatched grips. Herrett wants $38.95 for a BNIB set in walnut.
Both are walnut. There is no reason to believe they didn't come from the same tree. In fact they could have been cut from the same board just a few inches apart.
There are no 2 pieces of wood exactly alike. That is just the nature of wood. If it bothers you that they don't match then pick out some that are closer.
I'm having trouble with photobucket at this time but have some photos of a china cabinet I built years ago from walnut. All the wood came from the same tree, many pieces cut from the same board and you can see greater differences than that.
I chose not to stain the wood and used only a clear coat. There are light and dark streaks in the wood, but it adds to the character to me. I could have stained the whole thing much darker and the differences wouldn't have been as apparent. But that isn't the look I wanted.
When Photobucket decides to cooperate I'll add the photos later.
There are no 2 pieces of wood exactly alike. That is just the nature of wood. If it bothers you that they don't match then pick out some that are closer.
I'm having trouble with photobucket at this time but have some photos of a china cabinet I built years ago from walnut. All the wood came from the same tree, many pieces cut from the same board and you can see greater differences than that.
I chose not to stain the wood and used only a clear coat. There are light and dark streaks in the wood, but it adds to the character to me. I could have stained the whole thing much darker and the differences wouldn't have been as apparent. But that isn't the look I wanted.
When Photobucket decides to cooperate I'll add the photos later.
Years ago S&W would take a thick block of wood, saw it through the middle to make 2 slabs, and then make each slab into a right and left stock panel. The color usually matched and the grain, as seen from the butt, did too.
Of course this sort of attention to detail is long gone, except possibly some very expensive custom stock makers. :banghead:
Of course this sort of attention to detail is long gone, except possibly some very expensive custom stock makers. :banghead:
Yup. Those were the days. Craftsmanship. I don't think that those are actual Colt grips. They look like "gun show specials" to me. The "checkering" looks stamped - not cut. If they charged $32 for those - you've been had. If you want nice grips for the money - look at Kim Ahrends.
danez71
Member
Jmr40
I agree about how much difference there can be in the same tree...branch... and even milled board.
I recently built a large redwood table for the patio. The red/blonde streaking in some of the individual boards is very dramatic.
Looking at your pics, the graining is similar. I wouldn't suspect different species or trees looking at your pics.
The graining is so different on the grips it would have to of been cut from 2 different planes/axis if it came from the same piece of wood. (Imo)
I'm thinking birch is as good a guess as maple. Maple tends to be whiter than birch and I could see that color coming from birch easier than maple.... again... just based on my own diy carpentry experience
Eta: Nice work on the cabinet. Better than I.
I agree about how much difference there can be in the same tree...branch... and even milled board.
I recently built a large redwood table for the patio. The red/blonde streaking in some of the individual boards is very dramatic.
Looking at your pics, the graining is similar. I wouldn't suspect different species or trees looking at your pics.
The graining is so different on the grips it would have to of been cut from 2 different planes/axis if it came from the same piece of wood. (Imo)
I'm thinking birch is as good a guess as maple. Maple tends to be whiter than birch and I could see that color coming from birch easier than maple.... again... just based on my own diy carpentry experience
Eta: Nice work on the cabinet. Better than I.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
While I totally agree with jmr40 as to the wood, as I mentioned earlier, if they were my grips they would be going back. Barring a return for some reason I would get out the stain and do some refinishing. A small difference I could live with but looking at the pictures that is a pretty stark contrast.Thanks yall! I contacted the company I bought from. I'm totally okay with character but this seemed more like alternate personalities
@jmr40, nice hutch, real nice. My dad was great at wood and making beautiful furniture, heck, I could not make a box let alone furniture.
Ron
Those are nice grips! To me it looked like mine were two different types of wood though i understand how wood has different colors. I was pretty obsessed with woodshop and furniture building in high school and have some projects where wood is different.
Anyway the company emailed me back and said they will check their warehouse tomorrow for a matching set and get back to me hopefully they will.
Anyway the company emailed me back and said they will check their warehouse tomorrow for a matching set and get back to me
hopefully they will.jerkface11
Member
I like the light one better.
Bula
Member
Not good. Looks like two different species of wood. One mahogany and the other, maybe walnut? I'd raise stink.
sappyg
Member
Clearly two different species IMO. Hard to tell which but the panel on the left looks looks like a sapelle mahogany and the the panel on the right looks like oak.
I'm curious what wood was advertised if any.
Edit... Walnut.... Meh. I don't think so..
I'm curious what wood was advertised if any.
Edit... Walnut.... Meh. I don't think so..
HoosierQ
Member
I would have to say that's probably from two different pieces of wood. If not that, it seems that little effort was made to match.
You have to expects some variation but I agree, that's too far off if you are making a pretty gun. FWIW, those will be on opposite sides of the gun and once you put them on, you'll never see them side by side again.
You have to expects some variation but I agree, that's too far off if you are making a pretty gun. FWIW, those will be on opposite sides of the gun and once you put them on, you'll never see them side by side again.
ZWCoffindaffer
Member
I sell custom wood trim and doors for a living. It is COMPLETELY normal for walnut itself to have runs that go from bleach white to almost black. However, with it being such a small amount used in making the grips for a gun, I find it a little disappointing they couldnt cull out the light piece and use a darker one to match. Most people think dark/rich brown when they think walnut.
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