bow grip ideas

[Zach Mikita]

looking for unique ideas for a grip i have a self bow (osage) that i made this winter and would like to fit it with a grip that is durable and comfy

[tim roberts]

A leather wrap is always good?

[TheFatboy]

I've got ray skin on my new bow. The grip is great.

[Robertfishes]

I had a BW with beaver tail, it was nice..leather is always an excellent choice, the ray sounds cool too and very exotic..

[snakewood3]

I've used mostly leather, including exotics like Alligator and Beaver tail. They are nice but hold moisture and can get slippery when wet. For a selfbow it is hard to beat a hemp string wrap. Coat with thinned TB2 let dry then shellac, will not hold moisture and gives a very positive grip.

 
 

[TheFatboy]

Stingray skins cost a bit, but they are definetely worth it, if you ask me. The grip is decent, and then - of course - it's waterproof!  

[fish n chicks]

I'm not as good with the leather, snake, and stingray as some of the folks on TG, so I tend to shape my riser to the grips I like. I hve made a few bows, so I am far from the number of a lot of these guys too. My attitude may change when I wrap some more.

But in the meantime, here are the 3 grips I've gone with.

My first bow, I copied from my bear k-mag. Keep in mind this bow pulls 25# at 28" for my fiance. I agree with the general response from the gang that too much material may be missing from the riser for a higher poundage bow, but that could be rectified with a smaller sight window.

 

 

 


My second bow I made the attempt to wrap a simple pyramid style handle, like from 4est's tutorial. Truth is, I really don't like it. I don't think it's very ergonomic, refined, or well done for my liking. It works, don't get me wrong, I just don't like it.I tried keeping it short and sweet so as not to hide the yellowheart, and I will not do this grip again:

 

 

 

[fish n chicks]

I recently almost finished my 3rd bow for my son. But it's not on the built n broke list for oh 10. I mocked the grip from something I saw that said perfect bow grip (for me anyway) so I mocked it off this senior citizens walker handle. You won't see a lower limb cause I cut it off, and not this is my fire poker till it burns down.

 

 

 

 

 


Hope these grip ideas give you an idea on what YOU want YOUR grip to be like. I am going to be making a trip to a local art store to get those model hands that are movable. I intend on getting a youth size, and a right hand so I can make bows for the young and the... wierd. Good luck to ya!