Any recommendations for a source I could send some grip blanks to for stabilization.

The knifemakers use a lot of stabilized wood. I saw a message about K&G doing this work.

http://www.kandgstabilizing.com/

I have a black cherry burl that my departed friend and mentor, Ray Crowfeather, and I cut from a fence line about fifteen years ago. We sealed it with Elmers glue to slow the checking and I put it in the loft of the shed. I have been saving cash when I could squeeze it and am about to embark on my first custom Blackhawk conversion and want the cherry for stocks to honor my friend. I think it will be awesome. Hope to cut it down to blocks this weeked. The wood is super dense with fiery red and black swirls. I made stocks before from dogwood that I thought turned out well but over time the corners lifted a bit.

Took the first step today and called around to order a Bowen rear sight. This is going to be tougher than I thought! At least I got on the waiting list.