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How to shop for stag grips
I
think even non-gun people know stag grips in their mind’s
eye. Yet they are
very much a niche product and hard to shop for. Here’s the important
points.
What they are: handgun grips made of
antler.
What kind of antler: Elk, Red Deer, or
Sambar.
What should they cost: Market rates for
artisan made Elk single action grips have been in the $155 -
$225 range. If
you are being quoted a price higher than that, make certain
the quote is for Red Deer or Sambar. Sambar in particular is
exotic / imported and commands a higher
price. That’s
fine. But there is a danger of the seller blurring the
distinction if
you are being asked to pay say $275 for elk grips.
Is there a difference?: Sambar was the stag
material of choice for many decades. Among the advanced
connoisseurs I think most will still say Sambar is superior
because it’s a denser, harder antler.
I
don’t actually think that’s true, and can provide a compelling
but long and somewhat technical explanation. In any event it’s
irrelevant now.
These day’s Sambar grips with true eye appeal are not
obtainable at “reasonable” prices.
I
cut rock hard panels from Elk and do so in such a way that
satisfies that eye for a truly western looking
grip.
Why doesn’t anyone have anything
in stock?: There’s very few mass
market grip retailers left, and stag grips can’t be mass
produced. They
have to be hand cut, fit and finished by an
artisan.
Handmaking custom grips is closely aligned and similar
to the gunsmithing business. There’s a consistent
clientele for commissioned work among relatively few
providers. The
work is labor intensive to the point that it’s rare to work
ahead for the production of inventory.
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