[ithacaartist]

Original grips were checkered by hand, right? Considering the human factor, then each grip is unique, and no two could be the exactly same. I think "all the way to the edge" is a relative term, and original, hand-checkered grips might be better described as being done "very close to the edge", with some variation in just how close, due to their being hand done.

I've fiddled around with checkering for about a year, and if the pattern is complete in its depth literally all the way to it, the edge will look and feel serrated.

I think lots of the machine-checkered repro grips display more of the edge than originals due to the mechanized process. Most of the pattern will be more precise in spacing and depth than could ever be done by hand (well, they were done by a machine) however, the pattern tends to peter out sooner, leaving more of the edge than hand work. This is due to what's necessary to cut an even pattern. The lines should be straight, and the cutter needs to ride totally square to the surface to result in "diamonds" that are symmetrical. There's a Dremel-like system for use in hand checkering on which the cutting head swivels to accomplish this. Most machine checkering setups will do a flat surface just fine, but begin to leave distorted work as the surface departs from flat or goes over a curved edge.

The worst machine checkered grips I own are on a 90's Aimco-made stainless Luger. Their pattern quits at least 3/16" from the edge, at which point it is already heavily distorted by the portion of rounded material it does attempt to check. Interestingly, if viewed straight on from above, it looks regular; but if you examine it from the side, it's evident how distorted the diamonds are.

The cheesiest looking grips I own are original to the Erma KGP68A, which is a down-scaled, Luger look-alike, blowback system pistol. These grips are totally flat across their faces, and either curved smooth, or multiple-bordered edges, either of which was done by a shaper. The checkering pattern on these is precise, but it's only applied to the flat face--which requires only one angle of approach when being cut.

I've seen grips offered that are purported to be laser cut. This process is unfamiliar to me, but it just might be something that could capture the best of both worlds, yielding a pattern that is regular and complete.

As mentioned, my experience in this realm is pretty short and recent. I'm hoping the experts on the forum will back up my observations and conclusions--or perhaps shed more light on the subject. I do, however, know that Hugh Clark is a "Pele" of this artistic process and really knows what he's doing or talking about, and a bunch of others have experience in observing the myriad manifestations of original grips that far outstrips mine.