beautiful work

beautiful....Is there a down side to checkering as opposed to a smooth handle? Do you guys use a glove on your grip hand?
Thanks

Mark

I have never shot a checkered grip on a bow. But I can tell you this, I had a smith chambered in .44 mag with checkered grips. When you shot hot loads from it your palm would turn to hamburger! My only concern on checkered grips is if you shoot everyday or a few times a week, you have another place for moisture to enter the bow's wood. Even in the case of a very fine lines per inch, the points of the checkering do wear and break off. Those schafer's are pretty bows.

running buck that is kinda what I was thinking, they all look absolutely beautiful.  But I think that would give me blisters like crazy!!!  But that is just me, I don't know what it is about my hands, I can get calisus at my finger joints(weight lifting), and on the tips of my fingers(guitar), but have never formed caluses on my palms or really anywhere else on my hands, so ever weekend or so when I use a shovel or rake I get some nice palm blisters!

Yes Keith, my first attempt at stippling a grip doesn't compare to these works of art. But if you don't try you won't improve and learn. Some are willing to take that first step and share it with others. Some just like to sit back and ridicule....    :rolleyes:

Guys if you have never tried the checkered grips , DO NOT DO IT , you will be hooked. I will never have a bow without the checkering after owning 3 Schafers with it . No blisters, calluses or other problems.


Jack

I agree Jack. The Blacktails I have are checkered. Norm does a great job of it. Sure makes the bow steady and sure in the hand. I have a set of checkering tools coming next week. Going to try my hand at that too. I will be practicing on a few 2X4's before trying it on a bow!

Interesting thread.  I had never even considered having a checkered grip. I was worried about such a grip leading to more torque during the shot. However, a recent Blacktail Elite VL purchase (one ordered by another leftie who changed his mind and I called at the exact right moment)had a checkered grip.  I talked to Norm about torque. He suggested I'd be less likely.  His checkering (older style - he does the stipple now) is more like fish scales (or snake (bit) scales and only on the thumb pad area.  I love the way it feels and it helps me seat the hand in exactlly the same place every shot. Torque wasn't caused. His checkering isn't like a gun's diamond checks.  Their aren't any sharp points to rub the hand or rub off -- they are more rounded.  I like it. I'm having a snakebit made now. I will opt for the same, old-style blacktail checkering.  I don't like the "randomness" of the stipple affect. I won't have any other of my bows retrofitted with this checkering -- at least I don't think I will. However, my mind has been changed on a couple of other things by reading posts on this site!

I much prefer a checkered grip over a non-checkered one, especially in warmer weather and with gloves.  I will see what Norm's stippling is like later this week when my Blacktail arrives.

Dave

I own checkered Silvertips dating back to 1984 and have had no problems with the tips of the checkering breaking of. there is of course a great deal of difference in the force generated by shooting a 44 mag. and a Bow. Dave does awesome work on the Silvertips.

I would strongly advise from getting Jim Neaves of Centaur to do your checkering. I have a bow on order there and if lots of ppl start making him do their grips, my bow will take longer to get here, and I will go    , proper ^^

Love the look and the feel of a checkered grip. I'm ruined now. All my bows will have it from now on. Very comfortable, positive grip.  

charlie could you send me a pic of that quiver so i can see how you use those rubber bands,are you using those to help keep your arrows in

Steve.... yes, I use rubber bands to help tighten the grip of my bowquiver. I'll try to get a pic but basically all I do is criss cross the bands in and out of the grippers.
They take up just enough space to make the fit a little snugger.

Just got the Black Widow and Bighorn back from Dave at Schafer Silvertip.  Check them out on Stickbow.  I don't know how to post pics here.  Or email me and I will send some pics.  I am getting ready to send my Robertson next week.  All my bows will have checkering.

I didn't know what I was missing till I got my Centaur that Jim stippled for me.

Pic of Keith's Widow.  Looks great!!!

This is not my bow nor do I know who checkered it but I like it so much I had to save the picture!