[Edward Tinker]

In my opinion, many times the grips, which are held by the hand and if the gun was wiped down by oil, would preserve the grips straps but darken the grips. Further, sometimes they just get grimy.

I many times have left the grips alone, for the above reasons as my friends above state, however, I have bought many sets or that are on lugers that simply were nasty. I have used from light dish soap to using paint remover when they were coated by varnish.

I have used Murpheys Oil many, many times. It is designed as a 'wood' soap for floors, counters, etc. It cleans without bleaching the grips. After cleaning several times using a old toothbrush, let them dry (sometimes overnight, sometimes a couple of days), then I put on some boiled lindseed oil on them, dabbing off the grips then letting them dry.

Again, to me it depends on how nasty they are. Wood that is stained by time will still look old, and not that shiny new like if you have them re-checkered - which is okay with me, provided they are so far gone or for a shooter. Again, all personal choice IMHO.

Ed