Opinions would be nice...

So, eventually I will have my Kimber Solo Stainless. I have a general idea of the engraving that I want done, and also have someone who will do it. Here it is:

Kimber Solo Stainless
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...r/th_edit3.jpg

with aluminum grips
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...r/th_edit2.jpg

and these daisies all over.
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...er/th_edit.jpg

My question is, what should I have to tie the flowers together? Also how dense should the design be? I would prefer high density, but would a more sporadic design look better?

Thanks in advance.

something kinda like banner ribbons if done right should be able to take up unused space and look pretty cool.

or some form of waves, kinda like the borders on a dollar bill. but id suggest looking at tattoo designs, since its essentially a tattoo for your gun

Looking for something kind of cartoony.

:smt104 Really? That's it? No advice from Mr. Bear or Steve??? Disappointed.

daisies and smilies :smt001

Thanks. :smt017 Hmmm... Smilies...

or perhaps a smurfette or a powderpuff girl

or the pink panther

You must think you're soooo funny. Smart ass. :)

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Originally Posted by Holly

Looking for something kind of cartoony.

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Originally Posted by Holly

:smt104 Really? That's it? No advice from Mr. Bear or Steve??? Disappointed.

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Originally Posted by Holly

You must think you're soooo funny. Smart ass. :)

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you asked about cartoony..... you asked for my comments specifically AND i gave you PINK AND CARTOONY

and i DO think i am sooo funny

Good point. :)

Cartoon-like... but, not cartoons. Thank you for your opinions. I DO appreciate them, even when you're a Smart Ass.

bulldozer3

I would worry more about it going bang. Mine has been back to Kimber twice.

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Originally Posted by jdunn41

I would worry more about it going bang. Mine has been back to Kimber twice.

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Trust me, I am VERY worried about that. I'm tired of it. This is my wishful thinking.

No one has any more pretty ideas? I shoulda known better than to ask a bunch of men. :smt100

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Originally Posted by jdunn41

I would worry more about it going bang. Mine has been back to Kimber twice.

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Ditto. Mine was the biggest POS I've ever owned...

As far as the engraving, it's personal taste. Probably why you're not getting many opinions...

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Originally Posted by jdunn41

I would worry more about it going bang. Mine has been back to Kimber twice.

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My Pro Crimson Carry II and my Ultra Covert II always go boom. The latter pictured in my avatar is my ccw.

your 1911 kimber may go boom which is a copy of a pistol that is over 100 years old, but kimber can't make a new pistol that goes boom...

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Originally Posted by ponzer04

your 1911 kimber may go boom which is a copy of a pistol that is over 100 years old, but kimber can't make a new pistol that goes boom...

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Not interested in anything but the 1911 from Kimber.....just one of many copies made by multiple manufacturers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Holly

So, eventually I will have my Kimber Solo Stainless. I have a general idea of the engraving that I want done, and also have someone who will do it...My question is, what should I have to tie the flowers together? Also how dense should the design be? I would prefer high density, but would a more sporadic design look better?...

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OK, Holly, I went to art school, for all the good it did me, so I am uniquely qualified to answer your original question.

I have repeatedly thought about fancying-up my daily carry piece. It has pleasing proportions and a nice shape.
I have considered engraving in the gun's stainless steel, since we have a pretty good gun engraver, right here on this island.
I have given thought to fancy grips, after seeing samples of Handmade Grips's gorgeous scrolled inlay work. (They're in Turkey.)
And every time I think carefully and hard about the idea, I say to myself, "No. This is a working gun. It rides in my pocket. It will get banged up. If I have it made into something fancy, I will end up leaving it in our pistol safe, instead of carrying it. That would be an insult to the gun, and a foolish risk to Jean and me."

Well, I met my fantasies half-way: I bought some dyed, layered, impregnated wood as used to make fancy knife handles, and I used it to have simple, pretty, inexpensive, almost indestructible new grips made for it. If I remember correctly, that cost all of about $40.00, including the wood and its shipping, and the gunsmith's labor.

So, now to your question.
I suggest that the flowers be connected by simple, leafy vine work, in a fairly sparse pattern, around the grips' perimeters, with emphasis on places where the line changes direction or rounds a curve. The background might be lightly stippled, but only behind the vines and flowers, not in an overall pattern.
I, personally, do not like checkered grip panels. I find that smooth grip panels, and deeply stippled or checkered front- and backstraps, give me better control over the pistol, and make it easier to reach the magazine catch for reloads.
Get a full-size drawing of the proposed work, and live with it for at least a week. Make changes, if you want to. Then make a copy of that drawing and your changes, and send it in for the artisan to use as a pattern, while you keep the original. That will help you achieve full satisfaction.

I hope you like it.

Thank you so much. You have been truly helpful. I am no longer getting my Solo, however I still would like to use this idea in the future on another gun.

Thanks again, Steve.

Why are you not getting the Solo?

Kimber won't actually release the pistol. After a year of waiting on the stainless, I decided that if it ever wound up in my hands I would no longer have the love for it that I once did. I was tired of waiting and tired of not being able to actually speak to anyone representing Kimber. They wouldn't even give the dealer I was purchasing from any solid information. I was just tired of it all.