If you are considering trying your hand at grip making here is a link to some lumber you may want to try.
It is from old boxcars and looks like it would make some nice grips.
http://www.ecoseek.net/product/3060/Boxcar_Flooring (http://www.ecoseek.net/product/3060/Boxcar_Flooring)
That's pretty neat...that is dirt cheap for hard wood. If i had the time, the tools, and wood working skills exceeding a chimp (which i don't) i think I'd make a bunch of one piece p rod furniture to sell. Ralph does make super nice grips at a price no one is going to beat, but only in one style.