Locator grip or traditional grip. Which one is your favorite?

longbow fanatic 1 · February 15, 2014, 07:47:00 PM

Hey longbow shooters,

Which grip do you like best? If you care to do so, I would like to see pictures of your favorite bow handles and hear why they are so special to you! Does your hand naturally hit the " right spot " or is it the shape and style of leather you like...?

February 15, 2014, 08:09:00 PM

No locator grips for me!

Here is a pic of the riser on my favorite go-to Sarrels Blueridge takedown longbow:

Bisch

longbow fanatic 1 · February 15, 2014, 08:41:00 PM

Awesome, Bisch!

lilbobby · February 15, 2014, 08:43:00 PM

My Bob Lee Ultimate with a M.H. grip.

Masham Man · February 15, 2014, 09:14:00 PM

Leon Stewart hands down!

Gdpolk · February 15, 2014, 09:25:00 PM

It depends on the bow.

My favorite grip is one that fits the natural curves of my relaxed hand and yet puts all the pressure right into the pad of my thumb at full draw while maintaining full contact with the hand throughout the shot cycle. At least that's how I know to best describe it. When a grip fits like that it gives me confidence that I know where the bow is due to the great fit and full contact, yet also gives me a very consistent grip on the bow where I can feel when my hand is off.

For me, the grip that does this best in my hand is on my Sarells Sierra which happens to not be a locator grip, but I've shot some locator grip bows that felt a lot better in the hand than a traditional grip.

Brock · February 15, 2014, 10:51:00 PM

I am sure someone else will post....but I have shot a few different grips on longbows that are considered somewhat traditional...

I prefer the shallow locator overall......dished and locator on my D bows....humped on selfbows. That is just my preference though....

Dished Grip- I used to think this was the TRADITIONAL grip but apparently is not. this is grip I see on most old D shaped style bows and what I have on my Noble Longbow. Narrow grip, dished in middle as is name...takes some time to build consistency if not familiar.

My Mohawk Sparrowhawk has a locator grip...they come in varying extremes from a slight depression at top of grip rather than center as in dished...to a more pronounced dip near top...but all are considered locator as they only give you a place to locate the web of hand at top of grip...not rest of hand placement. My Lee Robinson longbow has a less pronounced locator. Robertsond Stykbows does the locator and then calls the less pronounced one like my Lee Robinson a traditional styled.

Then you have the humped/bulbous grip built up grip that is like on my selfbows..

Here is a straight grip, Howard Hill style...I dont own one but a lot of HH bows have them..here is Redman by HH

The recurve or pistol grip is a highly stylized grip similar to that of a recurve and allows a HIGH wrist or MEDIUM wrist while shooting.
I think these are Stalkers by South Cox...much more pronounced locator grip that is more similar to recurve grip. They are supposed to be very comfortable and repeatable for shooting. Never shot one myself but everyone that has one loves it that I know... See these also in the hybrid longbow/recurve bows many times. Some bowyers designs allow use of both recurve and extreme reflex longbow limbs on same riser if a takedown.

All this being said...it comes down to personal preference. I prefer shallow locator grip first...then dished...with humped like on my Strunk right there with it. to me they are more traditional but in the end it is what YOU LIKE not me.

Fletcher · February 16, 2014, 12:35:00 PM

A shallow locator is my favorite. My early Robertsons have been the best.

**DONOTDELETE** · February 16, 2014, 01:58:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
No locator grips for me!

Here is a pic of the riser on my favorite go-to Sarrels Blueridge takedown longbow:

Bisch

Hey Bisch, That looks like a classic locator grip to me bro. Why don't you consider that a locator grip?

Sixby · February 16, 2014, 08:04:00 PM

Kirk,
Glad you asked that bro. Had me so mixed up I was walking in circles around my chair.

God bless, Steve

longbow fanatic 1 · February 16, 2014, 09:35:00 PM

Very informative, GD and Brock! Thanks!

Sam McMichael · February 17, 2014, 08:25:00 PM

I prefer either the straight or dish grips on my Hill bows mainly for the "more traditional" look. I have locator grips on a couple of my other longbows and feel good with them also. Just depends on the individual bow.

dnovo · February 17, 2014, 08:55:00 PM

I prefer the straight dished grip or a mild locator like the Mohawk above. I must like it, I have 4 of them.

Over&Under · February 17, 2014, 09:02:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Kirkll:

QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
No locator grips for me!

Here is a pic of the riser on my favorite go-to Sarrels Blueridge takedown longbow:

Bisch
Hey Bisch, That looks like a classic locator grip to me bro. Why don't you consider that a locator grip? [/b]

I was gonna ask the same thing...inquiring minds wanna know Bisch:)

Red Beastmaster · February 17, 2014, 09:25:00 PM

Slight locator as on Abbott longbows.

Blackhawk · February 18, 2014, 12:43:00 PM

I like the classic locator grip on Bisch's bow.

moththerlode · February 18, 2014, 09:39:00 PM

(I like the classic locator grip on Bisch's bow. [bigsmyl])

Nope, just strung backwards

Zradix · February 19, 2014, 09:45:00 AM

locator..locator..locator..locator..

tracker12 · February 19, 2014, 10:14:00 AM

Slight locator grip like on my RER.