This site is a collaboration, or transfer of knowledge between two generations of grip carvers, Tony Kojis of TK Grips and Eric Fleming of Heirloom Grips. It is the art of seamlessly fitting wood and horn to steel for which we share a passion.

Heirloom Grips

My story as a grip carver started in 2020 after the acquisition of a single action revolver in a heavy caliber. This particular revolver was overly abusive as a result of improper grip size and shape for my hand. I shot a call out to an associate, John Taffin, explained the issues I was having and inquired as to his knowledge of any local smiths able to custom fit single action grips. John suggested that I get ahold of a long time friend of his in town that had made many grips for him over the years. A brief call was made to Tony Kojis (TK Grips) in Boise and soon after I found myself in the presence of a true artisan and master grip carver. As a professional machinist of 29 years I know how to “make things”, but Being in this man’s shop and witnessing the quality and artistic nature of his style lit a fire in me. We chatted about machine tools and handloading and he took ahold of my revolver. “You should learn to make your own grips” he says. My first reaction was that he was kidding. He was not. By the time I departed his shop we had formed the beginning of a friendship and I was suddenly making my own single action grips. Since that day, due to the generous wealth of knowledge that has been bestowed upon me by my good friend Tony Kojis, I have made many.

TK Grips

Tony Kojis carved his first set of grips in 1963. From that point on he has honed his skillset while maintaining a career teaching Industrial Arts, selling Real Estate and raising a family. He has produced custom high end revolver grips for the likes of John Taffin, Don Wilkerson, R.J. Thomas and countless other collectors and enthusiasts. On top of that, Tony happens to be a walking encyclopedia of collectible firearms, particularly Colt single action revolvers. People come to the Nampa Idaho gun show from all around just to place their grandfather’s old Colt sixgun in Tony’s hands and listen to the history lesson that ensues. As a master grip carver Tony has unlocked the intricacies of the art that is molding wood and horn and as a mentor he is a bottomless well of knowledge. I am honored to receive this knowledge and continue this art form.