shaping leather grip - help?

[suttoman]

In one of my past threads I mentioned I needed to shape a leather grip to beef up the handle on my Turkey Bow. It is an awesome bow and a keeper but as it is the handle does not fit me well.  It is too thin around the throat of the grip.  

Soembody kindly wrote and gave some quick instructions on how to do it (which I now can't find).  They also pointed me toward the how/to section on here.  I looked in there and there is a couple of tutorials on leather but one is for a thin leather grip.

I have bought a thick piece so I can beef up the grip.  I need to know how to wet it and shape it to my handle.  The grip on my Turkey Creek is not standard - more of a high wrist - so it needs to be moulded to that shape.  Not an easy task I have found.

I don't care if I can't do the fancy leather stitching - contact glue (if it can be taken off at a later stage), will be fine.

Could somebody who has experience and knows this process be able to give me instructions on what to do.  I can't find anybody where I am in Australia who knows what to do, and my T/C aint much good to me the way it is.  It would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers - Sutto

[BRITTMAN]

A quick fix that works really good is to use tennis racket rap . It looks like leather and will not mess up the finish of your bow . Using the tennis racket rap you can shape the gip like you want it by rapping more or less in the areas you want.

Mike

[suttoman]

Wow - never thought of that Mike.  I am sure the sports shops sell that over here.  If I draw a blank on the leather instructions I will try that!!

Sutto

[suttoman]

Wow - never thought of that Mike.  I am sure the sports shops sell that over here.  If I draw a blank on the leather instructions I will try that!!

Sutto

[killinstuff]

I didn't like the fake tennes racket wrap I found so I built up the handle with wood filler, sanded it and wrapped it in very thin leather lace (1mm) I got from a craft store. Someone had said the wood filler would break apart but it hasn't yet after a couple thousand arrows so I'm not worried about that and the bow fits me perfect. Glad I did it.

[Steve Nuckels]

You could try some of the very thick leather and glue it where you want with Barge cement when dry use a sharp razor knife and rough shape then use a fine file or dremel tool with sanding drum for final detail shaping then use a thin leather for your finish grip!

[suttoman]

Steve - that is a good suggestion.  A bit like one of the tutorials on here relating to using Barge cement - after it is hard you can shape it like wood.  These are good suggestions and that is something that I can do.

Sutto

[suttoman]

Steve - that is a good suggestion.  A bit like one of the tutorials on here relating to using Barge cement - after it is hard you can shape it like wood.  These are good suggestions and that is something that I can do.

Sutto

[Jeremy]

Get the leather good and wet and form it around the grip.  Don't worry about getting it perfectly the way you want it to sit, just overlap everything above and below where you want the wrap.  After it dries, cut it to shape and glue it on with contact cement.  Trying to cut it to shape before wet forming it is a real headache    
You should be able to get up to 8oz leather to form around the high wrist easily enough, and that would really bulk up the grip.

[suttoman]

Thanks Jeremy - I have done this now and it was easier than I thought (I used warm water).  It conformed perfectly to the shape of the grip.  I have wrapped it with rubber-bands until the morning - when it will be dry and I can glue.

One question though - can you explain the 'contact cement'?  We have that in Auss (where you apply to both surfaces and allow to dry before pressing together).  However this glue dries very hard and firm - if I ever want to pull the leather off, will it ruin the beautiful finish on my bow???

Sutto

[Jeremy]

The cement I use is normal Weldwood contact cement.  Put it on both parts and let it dry for 10 minutes.
I normally just use a little in the saddle on the back, but putting it all over shouldn't hurt the bow at all.  I've removed a few of the grips I've done before... the leather gets torn to he** but the glue that's left on the riser I can rub off with my thumb.  To date, I haven't destroyed a finish.  2-ton epoxy, polyurethane and even TruOil seem to hold up ok to removing the grip.  I'd imagine the Thunderbird or whatever is on the TC is more durable than anything I'd put on.
Have you found your 'perfect' bow yet Sutto?  Shipping all these new ones down to you can't be good for your wallet!!  

[Steve Nuckels]

Suttoman, I wish your Toelke Whip was a higher poundage, I'd grabb it!

The leather method I described works well, I use it on selfbows, you can taper and shape to your likeing and if you change your mind it's possable to remove it without damage to your bow finish.  Good luck and enjoy what remains of your summer! We are wanting the warm weather back here in the northern latitudes!

Steve AKA - Tillerboy