Is it just me or do some of the best bows out there have extremely small grips? I love the way the LaClaire Shrews, The Toelke Whips etc, etc. shoot... and I love the shape of the grips. But they seem awful small to me?
Does any one else feel like they should beef the sizes up... or am I out to lunch. Also... is there some advantage to these smaller grips that I am unaware of that helps performance...??
I would love to hear everyone's thoughts...
The small grip on the ACS was the reason I traded it off. I had a Toelke whip and agree the grip on it was on the small side as well. I have since went back to all recurves and shoot much better with greater consistency.
Personally, I think most people would be much more consistent with smaller grips. Take a look a the grips on Howard Hill's bows. Though they are deep from belly to back, they are extremely narrow compared to todays bows. In my mind that translates to reduced torque, particularly if you shoot a D bow with some 'heel' in your hold as you should. I could be all wet too.
I like small grips on a recurve because I have small hands.
One of the selling points to buying a Blacktail recurve is if you send a paper tracing of your bow hand with the order form, Norm will make the grip fit your hand size.
i love small grips. :) Most of the custom bowyers will build the grip to suit you as Night Wing stated above with the Blacktails.
Maybe I should quit buying used bows then... :) It seems that the last few bows I've owned all have these "tiny" grips. i can't believe how small the grip is on the Super Shrew I just purchased.
Love the way it shoots... but I would like it more if the grip were a bit larger... Just sayin'
If you look at tournament archers, dare I say it, who shoot compounds the grips are narrow. This is so the bow sits in the "pocket". I just bought a Whip and I find that it seats in the same place everytime. It is a very consistant grip. The other thing about the Whip is the flat area that the meaty part of your thumb rests on...good design.
As for a recurve it is in my humble opinion that the Blacktail's have a great recurve grip! The best. But you know these grips have come about because these bowyers are willing to listen to input from their customers. They have refined the design. There are some that I think just build a grip the same old way because that is the way they have always done it and they don't want to change. As well as there are those of us who have always chosen a certain bow or grip and don't want to change...if it is for the better. We can get in a rut. I didn't realize this about my shooting until I went into a clinic with an open mind. Boy, did I learn some things!
I prefer small grips. In fact, I just sold a brand new Bear TD Riser because the grip was too thick from face to back. The riser was very well made and I shot it fine. I just like to get my hand around the throat a bit more. The Supreme and the Mags (Bears)are the best of the TD models for my tastes.
I'm about average size 5'-11" and weigh 220 lbs. I use a Bigshot glove size XL and have to stretch it to break it in that said I prefer small grips as I am a mason contractor and for 40 years now all the tools I use have small grips , sledge hammers , shovels , trowels , hammers etc. Big grips feel very awkward to me . I think it's all what you get used to .
I shot a long time at a high level with the wheel bows and the first thing I would do when getting a bow from the sponsor was take the grip off. I want the pressure point to be on the life line and no where else. If you get a chance go to one of Rod's shooting clinics. I think you will then understand the whys of small grips.
Mike
Has anybody ever heard of these smaller grips on loongbows being a strength issue. I guess I am so used to the bigger grips an a few of the bows I have shot for years... that it kinda scares me too.
I look at the Shrew I just purchased used and I say to myself..."is that enough wood to keep this thing together?" But I haven;t heard a single negative thing about them, the Griffin, the centaur, or the Toelke. I guess it's just something I need to get used to. Most of the comments are in favor of the smaller grips...
Don't forget that grip will "fatten up" when you put gloves on.If you start with a fat grip it might feel that you can't get a good grip when you have the glove on.
One more thing,you could beef it up by adding a leather or rubber grip.
Yeah.. I forget that everyone doesn't live n Arizona and many of you guys wear gloves when hunting... It is 110 degrees where I live right now... it's brutal man! It's hard to believe these desert Mule Deer even live here!
Exactly Wingnut. :thumbsup:
I like a smaller grip myself,I feel it is harder to torque,personal preference.
A smaller grip that positions the hand perfectly every time is why I purchased a Hoots bow. I don't think there is another grip out there like it.
Toelke's recurves are somewhat fat...at least fatter than the whips. It settles into my hand nicely....I have medium sized hands.
QuoteOriginally posted by Cambow:
[QB] Has anybody ever heard of these smaller grips on loongbows being a strength issue. I guess I am so used to the bigger grips an a few of the bows I have shot for years... that it kinda scares me too.
Cambow,
Very good question because I also was concerned about the smaller grips not having much wood "But" I looked into a riser wood that had good strength and checked out a wood strength website to find the strength in woods...I went with Ziricote in my little Hoots recurve cause it had a good rateing in the strength and hardness compared to other woods but this depends on what websites you look it up in...I can't remember where I got that imfo but I'm sure you can look it up...Also Lee Hoots explained something to me about the "S' wave he can add on and a few other people have also explained this to me that some accents actually will make a riser much stronger in those little grips...It not only looks good but serves a purpose and using different wood combonations with an accent seperating can really make a bow stronger in the grip...John Maus from Lonewolf bows is also very knowledgeable as a bowyer and will explain in detail why he puts a lot of thought in every part of his bows...I have a lonewolf autumn storm and his risers are somewhat small as well...These guys have done there homework and we can rest well knowing most of these small grip bows are built to last many hunts...God Bless, Keefer's <")))><
The best grip I've come across is the #2 Bear grip in hard plastic. It was made for the Polar compound but fits the 76er riser perfectly.
Joe
Keefer,
I really appreciate your comment... Makes me rest a bit easier.
QuoteOriginally posted by JRY309:
I like a smaller grip myself,I feel it is harder to torque,personal preference.
I was thinking the same thing as I was reading through this thread. With less contact area in the hand, I think it helps me maintain consistency.
That reminds me of a teacher in high school... he had a saying, "
Inconsistency Violates Functionality". It stuck with me although I've never heard it from any other source since.
I love small grips and I have big hands. I never hold on to the bow, just let the the pressure of the pulling seat the riser in web of my hand. Maybe that's why I don't shoot recurves very often unless I hog off wood with my knife grinder...Doc
Cambow,
Just another thought to ease your mind...Most bowyers pay much attention to which way the grain runs when glueing up the riser and many won't go too far past center when cutting in the shelf...If you ever get to ordering a bow ask questions and what woods will be good for a small riser..Pay attention to the fadeouts as well...Ever notice a Toelke whips fadeouts? If I remember correctly they are about 17/22" from fadeout to fadeout but I could be wrong cause I traded my whip for a Fox takedown...Dan Toelke grips were small but felt just right to me with the thumb rest...The glues or epoxy bowyers use now is super strong and nearly every bowyer will put accents or two different woods or some sort of wave to help those little grips to be very strong...Now I hope you can rest tonight and find a bowyer to make you that dream bow when the time comes... Keefer's <")))><
Cambow.... take a crack at building your grip up with some leather wrap. Try it with no glue and maybe slightly dampened leather. If get it to where you like it, redo with Barge cement.
Personally I shoot a larger grip better and will build out a grip with rawhide lace.......
(http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt261/yelojello/DSC00129.jpg)
QuoteHas anybody ever heard of these smaller grips on longbows being a strength issue
I have a small hand for someone of my stature. I'm 6'1" and have a smaller hand than most. I like a bow that fits my hand. Too big a grip and the bow moves to much at the shot. My Abbott longbow has a smaller grip than most other "D" shaped longbows that I've shot and it does not affect it at all. Best shooting longbow I personally have ever shot!
Below is a pic of the handle and my hand. You can see it is not that large.
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/TradNut/101_0531.jpg)