Poly Ivory ???

[Griff]

Can one checker the faux ivory grips? Do standard stock checkering tools work. I just picked a set of panels for my 1911... and, well... they just seem "plain"!

[Griff]

And... Cabelas has D&H aluminum 30-rnd AR mags in their stores for $14.99, even tho' the KC store's shelf tag said $19.99, when the clerk scanned 'em, they were $14.99!

[Pete44ru]

Can one checker the faux ivory grips? Do standard stock checkering tools work. I just picked a set of panels for my 1911... and, well... they just seem "plain"!

AFAIK, yes - and/or scrimshaw them, add inlays, etc, too............

IMO an electric sheckering tool might melt the material from the friction/heat.





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[stretch]

Yes, you can.

Try an inconspicuous spot first, though.

"Synthetic" ivory varies considerably in composition, some is more "chippy"
and fragile, some is softer, some harder, and so forth. As has been alluded to,
some melts more readily. Most of the stuff I've used takes a nice polish with
600 grit wet 'n dry, then tripoli, and finally jeweler's rouge. Traditional checkering
tools should work okay, but they may load up quickly. Again, depends on the
plastic.

In a previous life as a maker and restorer of historic flutes and recorders I
had the opportunity to work to work with ivory. Man, you can see why elephants
were hunted for it. Easy to work with, beautiful, sturdy, and it finishes
beautifully. Did I mention how beautiful it is?

-Stretch

[Griff]

Can one checker the faux ivory grips? Do standard stock checkering tools work. I just picked a set of panels for my 1911... and, well... they just seem "plain"!

AFAIK, yes - and/or scrimshaw them, add inlays, etc, too............
IMO an electric sheckering tool might melt the material from the friction/heat.
.

Yeah, I was just going to try with a hand checkering set of files. Nothing fancy, hopefully I won't ruin 'em!

[Mescalero]

Good or bad, lets see the results.

[Griff]

Good or bad, lets see the results.

Keep your expectations low.

[rjohns94]

I second the request to show us the results. I would have ordered them with checkering as I know I would bugger them up! I have a Gunscrafter Commander on its way and I'm looking for some some nice panels to dress I up. I will wait to see how yours go.

[El Chivo]

Yes, you can.

Try an inconspicuous spot first, though.

"Synthetic" ivory varies considerably in composition, some is more "chippy"
and fragile, some is softer, some harder, and so forth. As has been alluded to,
some melts more readily. Most of the stuff I've used takes a nice polish with
600 grit wet 'n dry, then tripoli, and finally jeweler's rouge. Traditional checkering
tools should work okay, but they may load up quickly. Again, depends on the
plastic.

In a previous life as a maker and restorer of historic flutes and recorders I
had the opportunity to work to work with ivory. Man, you can see why elephants
were hunted for it. Easy to work with, beautiful, sturdy, and it finishes
beautifully. Did I mention how beautiful it is?

-Stretch

I did my first banjo when you could still get real ivory, so I did a couple of small inlays. Just the position dots but I still look at them every now and then for appreciation.

That stuff stinks when you cut it, though.

[Griff]

Well, to set a point of reference, this is what I hope to have them look like when done... if I'd have seen these first, I'd have ordered them, instead of doing my own! And if you don't want to tackle them yourself, the ones pictured below are from Boone Trading Company.