how far can i reshape a bear montana grip???

[high desert rambler]

i'm not a bowyer, but i have a shop full of tools and experience woodworking... i have a bear montana longbow and i'd really like to narrow and reshape the grip a bit...anybody have any advice on how much i can take off the stock grip and keep this thing structurally sound?

and am i correct in assuming that any reshaping should be done ONLY from the inside, given the one-piece continuous fiberglass backing?

she's 50@28" and i'm pulling a bit under 30"...

thank you!

[lad]

hi there -  Assuming you want to take away material.  Try tapeing a little build up on the lower end of the grip before cutting. It will help you to feel what the change would be like without taking away wood.  Once it is gone it is gone. I assume your looking to deepen area just below the shelf. Where the web of the hand sets.
whatever you do do it slow and shoot it. Very little change could make the difference you want.

[high desert rambler]

thanks - that's a good idea!  

yes, i'm most likely looking to cut that area in deeper as that seems like the only safe side from which to remove material... i've been spoiled by a couple of custom bows with nice, thin grips that fit my hand like a glove, but i still like my montana... it's just that it feels so "blocky" and uncomfortable in my hand now that the uncomfortable grip takes away from the pleasure of shooting it... i want to keep it, but realistically, unless i can reshape the grip to where it's comfortable, i'm not likely to wanna' pick it up and shoot it... but i don't wanna' sell it - was my first longbow and it shoots great...

[PEARL DRUMS]

You can reshape that grip all you want safely. Leave the back glass alone and have at it untilk it feels good. Try to keep it at least 1 1/4" deep though.