I am putting a new grip on one of my longbows and I remember reading here how to use a wide strip of leather and wrap the grip. It had rolled edges and was pretty cool looking...I would like to try this but can not find the topic in my searches of the site...Can anyone help? thanks, BLM
bow lover,
You might put this topic in the bowyer section for best results.
Good luck!
I have seen tennis racket handle wraps used on bow handles. I believe they are pretty cheap too. Pat
Thanks Watts...I have some deer hide I want to use...
Tutorial at the following link: http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000052
Thanks bender but I am talking about wrapping around the handle and the wrap is about 1" wide and spirals down the handle...
you have to grind and bevel the edges on a belt sander. it takes some practice to get it right and creates a heck of a mess. i use the preground leather tennis handle wraps.
For deer skin wrap handles I do not grind the edge, do an overlap of 1/8" instead. Take a 1 - 1 1/4" wide strip about 20" long and cut about a 3" angle across cut to start the wrap. I like to wrap up from the bottom of the grip counter clockwise looking from the top of the bow. This gives a nice angle at the finger area on the back of the bow and has the overlaps pointing down. Try a dry run but don't cut the top length yet, then apply Barge cement on both handle and leather. Wrap and then trim top end when you get to it. Either tuck the top point under or use a little super glue to keep it down. I use a built up leather arrow rest and cut my wrap to fit flush with the top edge of the rest.
The rolled top (and sometimes bottom) style us usually a one piece lap or stitched handle with the edges folded under to make the extra thickness.
Thanks Shaun, exactly what I was looking for...BLM
Dave Mims, who goes by DCM here, did this one. Perhaps he will tell how he did it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/hickorybow008-1.jpg)
That would be great! Hello Dave???? Thanks George...BLM
Dave told me last year at MOJam that he uses a belt sander to scarf the edges of thick (1/8"+) leather down to a fine edge, then wraps the handle - much like a tennis racket handle. I have tried it and it works well, but is some work to prep the wrap leather. It is pretty scary running your fingers that close to a belt sander with the narrow piece of leather.
Each to his own, but I could never understand the logic of putting a leather grip on a hunting bow. We go through a lot of trouble trying to remain scent free and then carry a sweaty bow grip into the woods, that over years smells like an old gym sock. Rubber grips are just as good and can be washed and sprayed to remove scent... just my opinion
I probably smell worse than any leather grip can. Some of us just work the wind and have no trouble getting close. We killed tons of deer before we got so anal about scent, or lack thereof. Just my opinion.