If you do much of this you quickly learn the need to prevent dust and vapors of any kind. I'd not like to die of this vocation-avocation. Some folks do a lot of measuring as they go along so they end up with just the right dimensions for their grip. The only time I do that is when I am trying to duplicate a previously done grip for a customer. The rest of the time I simply eye it and give it a squeeze or two.
Some days are probably fat grip days, some days skinny days.
It is, after all, an expression of my inner self. Well it's done and it looks pretty good. I've got her out of the lathe and have taken the tape off and am ready to decide whether I need a little filler for a pit or two here and there. Currently available cork is not very clear, though. Looks like we have a lot of holes that are a little bigger than I like.