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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: snag on April 03, 2010, 05:08:00 PM

Title: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: snag on April 03, 2010, 05:08:00 PM
Have you ever received a bow and not been totally happy with the grip? So, you take out a rasp or file and do a little customizing of your own? I ask this because I have bought a few used bows back when I was trying to see what I liked. They just didn't feel right. Knowing now what I do I could of made a few of those bows shoot a lot better for me if I had just done a little work on them.  Of course you have to know what you want it to be before you start taking wood away...and even if that bow can be brought to where you want it to be. Some have such small grips or the design is such that taking wood away isn't an option.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: Blackhawk on April 03, 2010, 05:25:00 PM
I sure have.  :rolleyes:    I have purchased more than one used bow with gawd awful custom grips and found myself turning them on to someone else in short order.  :(   Taking a rasp/file to a nice used bow was just too risky for me to attempt.   :scared:
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: Orion on April 03, 2010, 05:26:00 PM
Though I understand the dilemma, altering the grip as it came from the builder would likely reduce the bow's resale value by quite a bit.  On the other hand, sometimes it can be done without changing the overall look and style and refinished so as few would notice.  I've seen some real hatchet jobs though.  Basically ruined the bow.  

I've shot a lot of different bows over the years, and found most grips fairly accommodating.  When I would find one I just couldn't live with, I would sell it rather than reshaped it.  But, to each his own.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 03, 2010, 05:50:00 PM
hah!  doing that right now to an ed neat longbow.  the handle was too square on the back side and it needed to get closer to centershot.  nothing a bit of rasping couldn't handle.  got some polyu drying on it now, another 6 coats or so to go, then i'll make a new lace grip.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/en1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/en2.jpg)
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: JimB on April 03, 2010, 06:17:00 PM
I've done it a lot.I've had custom makers do a grip like I wanted but I have purchased some used custom bows and that wasn't an option.I try to not do anything that will weaken the handle.That usually means leaving the throat area alone-the thinnest spot.I also try to not change the overall look.A few subtle changes will make it fit my hand better and usually doesn't detract for other people either.I just feel that noone can fine tune the fit without my hand being in the equation.I usually spend a lot of time with a bow first,making sure it really needs it and that I really intend to keep it a long time.I have a couple nice,cabinet maker's rasps and I'm not afraid to use them.You do need to have the ability to redo and blend the finish in that area or be able to do a quality refinish to the whole bow.For some people,a better option would be to send it back to the maker or one of the gents that do bow repair work.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: ottertails on April 03, 2010, 06:18:00 PM
I've taken a rasp and a dremel to a custom bow I ordered 20 yrs ago from a very famous bowyer....grip just wasn't right and it was just sitting on the rack eventually. I wasn't about to sell it so I reworked the grip and WOW...my shooting accuracy increased ten-fold with that bow.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: snag on April 03, 2010, 06:21:00 PM
NO Lon! The Blacktail's grip fits me perfectly.  But I made a bow and shot it for awhile and found out that I wanted the grip to be a little different. So I changed it. Since then I have thought of some bows that were highend bows that now I, if I still owned them, would take a file to and do some customizing for myself.

Rob, sounds like you are bringing up to today's standards. I think of the older bows that had flat shelves that would benefit from radiusing them.  I know that some will think this is just not right...taking a "vintage" bow and going after it with a file.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 03, 2010, 06:34:00 PM
this ed neat longbow is quite interesting.  ed made it a year or so ago and it's the only one he backed with glass (over ipe for the back), the riser and belly lams are osage, but no glass on the belly.  at 45# this bow is purty darned fast with 10gpp+ 465gr arrows and that surprised me.  it was waaay off centershot so i called up ed and asked if changing the arrow plate, shelf and grip front end would be an ok thing to do, got his blessings.  this is gonna be one fun longbow paired up with cane arrows.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: JC on April 03, 2010, 09:19:00 PM
Rasp, dremel, sandpaper...used them all....Bob Morrison said I even used a hammer on one to get the grip where I wanted it before I sent it back to him for refinishing. Course, he was exaggerating a mite    :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: lpcjon2 on April 03, 2010, 09:53:00 PM
This ain't good, you guys make me want to try it.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: JC on April 03, 2010, 09:56:00 PM
It doesn't matter how expensive/custom it is...it's just a piece of wood until you get the grip right...THEN it's a bow. The first one is tough to get your courage up. It get's easier about the 10th or so.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: kbetts on April 03, 2010, 10:05:00 PM
.....and when you can afford your mistakes. LOL
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: JC on April 03, 2010, 10:24:00 PM
It was the fear of "ruining" one that put me off for a long time; sold a few good bows that I was too scared of modifying the grip. Then I realized that if I go slow you're not doing anything the bowyer wouldn't be doing. Not many serious mistakes to be made shaping the grip...just don't use the dremel for the first one    :D
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: lpcjon2 on April 03, 2010, 10:29:00 PM
I have modified every gun I own.But I still fear screwing up a bow.One day I will take the plunge.Good on you guys for having the ca hones' for making it fit.   :clapper:
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 04, 2010, 06:43:00 AM
'if it don't fit, you must FIX IT, or sell it'   :D
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: Builder on April 04, 2010, 07:25:00 AM
I have wanted to, never went that far.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: d. ward on April 04, 2010, 07:59:00 AM
I've customized just about every bow I've ever owned bd   (http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/bowdocsarchery/001-8.jpg)
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: frassettor on April 04, 2010, 08:53:00 AM
Boy you guys have alot more guts then I do. Its a neat idea to do your own customizing, its the knowledge I lack! Good for you guys  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 04, 2010, 09:10:00 AM
ain't no big deal - a small flat/oval rasp, abrasive cloth and papers from 60 through 600 or 1200 grit, lots of elbow grease.  it's important to go through all the different file and grit stages, in order to eliminate any toothing or abrasive marks.  

sometimes it's good to stain or flame the raw wood before applying a finish, to bring out the grain.  

i usually seal the wood with a wiped on coat of quality thin cya, or do a 'massey finish' (epoxy thinned with acetone), then the final clear coats which are usually min wax wipe on gloss polyu.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: acadian archer on April 04, 2010, 11:22:00 AM
if it's doesn't fit then is it really custom?? isn't taht part of why people buy "custom" bows. Like someone on here said if it doesn't fit it ain't a bow.


if you're buying a bow to hunt with get/fix a rip that works otherwise it's just a pretty stick.

won't most bowyers/companies custom fit the grip if you ask??
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: snag on April 04, 2010, 12:00:00 PM
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/bow9002.jpg)

This is a bow I built for myself. I started thinking about stippling...well this is my first attempt...not perfect, but it sure sits in the hand a lot better. I will sand it down a bit and spray some finish on it Monday.

I agree Rob....if it doesn't fit you then customize or sell it!
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: Hopewell Tom on April 04, 2010, 12:04:00 PM
'if it don't fit, you must FIX IT, or sell it'

That's so true, because where's the fun in poor fit. But the fear is pretty real. I'm interested that you also got to peeling away on the shelf. After Charlie Lamb showed us Fred Bears grip, I got looking at mine and eyeing the rasp and that lead(before the rasp) to discovering that My grip of the bow was wrong. But this discussion is encouraging me to do some more removal on my grip. I did a small bit before and was very pleased with the new feel. I didn't do too well at the refinish though. A total refinish this time I think after more grip work. I think going slowly and keep checking on feel is important.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: snag on April 04, 2010, 12:08:00 PM
Good for you Tom. I just keep thinking during the process.."you can take more off, just can't put it back on!"
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: Oregon Okie on April 04, 2010, 12:17:00 PM
You know my answer.. but I wouldn't do it to a high end bow that I wanted to resell. I have one that I added material to the handle then reshaped it but I had reduced the resale value by shutting the tip in a pickup door doing some minor damage already    :banghead:   Still shoots great but I wouldn't sell it after a move like that so I made it fit. Also radiused and move the "locator" on an old ben pearson. Oh yeah, I totally reworked the grip on the one i made too after I shot it for a while but don't know if that counts.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: ron w on April 04, 2010, 05:36:00 PM
I have thrown them on a beltsander, cut thumb rests off on my bandsaw, put a rasp to a grip, thinned tips and a host of other things to get a bow the way I wanted it.When it's right you'll know it.
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: d. ward on April 06, 2010, 08:33:00 AM
a true custom grip could only be fitted while the user is there in person being sized for the grip...my custom grip may or may not be your custom grip.
The best tool I've found for custom grip work is a spindel sander home depot 99.00 bd
Title: Re: Customizing a custom bow??????????
Post by: on April 06, 2010, 06:54:00 PM
i love my angle grinder- its fast...  :D