What type of leather for bow grip?

Gdpolk · December 29, 2013, 07:32:00 PM

Now that our hunting season is winding down, I'm looking at fine tuning some things with my bow and accessories.

I'd like to try a leather grip over my longbow to see if I get a better purchase on bow throughout the summer months.

I've tried a bike tube slipped over the grip trying to see what a ShurGrip might be like before and just didn't care for the rubber at all. I think I'd prefer the feel and definately prefer the look of some good leather of some sort.

What leather would make for the best grip material?

I have some very thin elk skin that matches the cocobolo in the riser really well already. I have also been considering a tanned beaver tail or maybe stingray.

The stingray would likely mimic a stippled grip due to the texture of it and would have a locator built in due to the spine on it.

The elk skin I have will stretch and conform to the handle well and have a nice, soft, supple feel.

I've never tried beaver tail but it looks like it would be an awesome grip texture.

What other leathers should I consider and what do you prefer?

Justin Vinci · December 29, 2013, 08:15:00 PM

Check out some beaver tail grips, they look very nice on bows

Justin Vinci · December 29, 2013, 08:16:00 PM

Whoops didn't see you mentioned beaver tail

Justin Vinci · December 29, 2013, 08:17:00 PM

Whoops didn't see you mentioned beaver tail

Pokerdaddy · December 29, 2013, 08:19:00 PM

I'm partial to beaver. Feels great in the hand.

damascusdave · December 29, 2013, 08:20:00 PM

I am not particularly good with that sort of work so I stick with some nice soft tanned deer hide I have and just stretch it and glue it on...I had a bow with beavertail and it is great...if I wanted it on another bow it would go to Abe Penner for that...I have a cowhide grip on my RER and I like that...and I have three 1960 Kodiaks with original cowhide and one with a nice cowhide done by the previous owner...I never realised until just now how many of my 15 bows have leather grips

DDave

slim_grim · December 29, 2013, 10:27:00 PM

I did a Hill bow recently that has a locator similar to the Sierra. I used vegetable tanned leather (I think it was 5-6 oz). It formed into the locator quite nicely and I was able to get it tight enough that no glue was required.

kencat · December 29, 2013, 10:39:00 PM

would you use this on your hunting bow looks like the sweat from summertime use would linger during hunting season especially if it was permanent with glue and al just askinl.

Fattony77 · December 30, 2013, 02:28:00 AM

I got a small piece of craft leather from the hobby store and some fake sinew to do mine for my longbow. It was simple, easy & required no glue. It does get kinda slick though, during the warmer seasons. Beaver tail is definitely the way I will go the next time I put something on a bow, though I will probably send it to Big Jim or Abe from Caribow to have it done professionally, cuz I hear it's kinda tricky to work with.

Gdpolk · December 30, 2013, 07:09:00 AM

Thanks for all the input. I threw on some left over elk skin just to try it out because I already have it from another project. I figure if I don't care for it then I can always take it off and try moving on to beaver tail or something else.

I've never done a bow grip before but think mine turned out fairly nice. It's laced with artificial sinew, which I already had and which matches my Kanati Dual Arc and custom back quiver. The jasper beads, the wife already had and helped me finish out the tails of the threads. I tried to cut it to compliment the curves in the grip, and think I did fairly good, not absolutely perfect but plenty close enough.

riverrat 2 · December 30, 2013, 09:15:00 AM

I went to a Goodwill store. I found a set of Motorcycle chaps. I paid I think $5.00 for them.
Nice thicker black leather,and a lot of it for different projects. rat'

Fritz · December 30, 2013, 09:30:00 AM

Just finished my first beaver tail grip. Love the way it feels in my hand.

Caughtandhobble · December 31, 2013, 02:43:00 PM

That looks awesome Brother!!!

damascusdave · December 31, 2013, 03:38:00 PM

I have a feeling you are done for quite a while...nice work

DDave

Slickhead · December 31, 2013, 04:05:00 PM

nice stitching!

Butch Speer · December 31, 2013, 05:05:00 PM

Very nice job on the grip! Elk is what I use too. Love the way it looks and feels plus it last a long time.

T-Bowhunter · December 31, 2013, 05:17:00 PM

Great Job on the Grip!

December 31, 2013, 06:26:00 PM

Look like you did a fine job!

Bisch

Gdpolk · December 31, 2013, 06:44:00 PM

I've tried it out and it seems to feel good enough for now. It's very different with the new grip, but I think I'll like it once the "new" wears off. It is warmer and softer to the touch on bitter cold afternoons. I suspect it'll be significantly better in rain and summer with heavy sweat. It's really hard for me to get a solid grip in the middle of an Arkansas summer from my sweat. In the past I've worn leather gloves, which helped but didn't completely remedy the slipping. Maybe this summer I can try leather grip and leather glove. I bet that'll work well.

Gdpolk · December 31, 2013, 06:46:00 PM

Thanks for the kind words. I am going to try to carve some whitetail antler beads sometime to tuck back in case I want to re-do the stitching with cross hatches all the way to the top.