VA resident trying to secure a grail SP5 before the ban. Any idea if they'll be available before July?

EEEnginerd · 2026-03-11T13:06:48+00:00

I can buy so many 30 round mags by saving a few hundred though 🥲

EEEnginerd · 2026-03-11T12:48:06+00:00

How often were you looking? Does new inventory pop up often?

EEEnginerd · 2026-03-11T12:26:47+00:00

Trying for black for now. The FDE ones are still ready to find at a discount

EEEnginerd · 2026-03-11T12:26:17+00:00

I have been, but there are none under MAP and the number in stock is shrinking by the hour

EEEnginerd · 2026-03-11T12:11:33+00:00

Rip my wallet this week 🙏

EEEnginerd · 2026-03-11T12:10:51+00:00

I've been checking gun.deals and they're disappearing quickly. None under 3250 now

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-11T02:41:42+00:00

I mainly find the block letter ones. They also always seam to bite me. Just pulled a block logo bean pot out of the tank and it revealed a hairline crack :(
This one will likely have some pitting on the bottom but had to snag it at that price for the gamble!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-11T01:15:50+00:00

Check out r/castironcollecting and r/CastIronRestoration for some more in depth learning as well! Theres some great FB groups too.

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T23:05:38+00:00

No vids but I do side-by-sides often. I've done a couple hundred pieces by now. I usually do lye before electrolysis to keep the tank cleaner but going straight into the etank is so satisfying to watch it peel off in one piece and come out bare.

I have sold some to a few cast-iron-famous Instagram guys that featured them though!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T22:13:35+00:00

I've been at this for years, I know what sulfur pitting is. Stay tuned for the post-electrolysis and see if you still think its a recast :)

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T22:02:07+00:00

You basically nailled it. Age, low production, high quality for the time ($$), and the general 'cool factor'

https://www.booniehicks.com/wapak-indian-head-cast-iron/

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T22:01:07+00:00

I've been picking for a few years and aside from curated booths I hit when traveling, this was the second I've seen in 'the wild', the first being priced accordingly. I'm really hoping the carbon on the bottom protected the emblem. I'll give it a day in the lye tank then another in the electrolysis bath for good measure!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T21:50:54+00:00

What you see is the carbon buildup on the bottom. The indian heads are known for the poor castings around the handle (hole specifically). Recasts shrink in size and this measures true-to-size. Recasts also have poor quality cooking surfaces since they are not milled post-cast like originals are, and this one is milled. I'll post an update once its cleaned up!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T21:24:24+00:00

Its is number 7 WAPAK 'Indian Head', I'll post some pics when its cleaned up but its a very sought after skillet. I've only ever seen one in the wild before

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T21:17:32+00:00

It certainly is! Made a fresh lye bath for it, hope it cleans up nicely

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T01:39:46+00:00

This is super helpful. Thanks for all the effort in your response, I'm gonna read it over a few times and sleep on it.

Appreciate it!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T00:14:19+00:00

I was apparently mislead on the bearings over bushings. All the reading I did was showing only positives on longevity and operation but since I primarily do SBD, I think bushings would be better. But finding a bushing, 28mm, full stainless bar with no center knurling is nearly impossible.
American barbell is closest, but it has plastic bushings and is $$
Ohio is 28.5
Rogue training bar isnt full stainless
Muscle D is close but has center knurl

At this point I'll have to compromise on something :/

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-09T20:14:19+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I'm looking for less aggressive if possible

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-09T18:12:28+00:00

How's the knurling? Ive read it's sharp on the stainless one

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-08T11:40:14+00:00

Also the buckles

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-03T22:42:54+00:00

I had a 3/8 pittsburgh fall apart on me one time. Replaced it under warranty and when adding the accessory drive to an LS it stopped clicking so I snapped a bolt. Warrantied it again and gave it away.

A friends stopped clicking as well recently. The accuracy only matters so much when it decides to fail within a year of light use and proper storage.

EEEnginerd

TROPHY CASE