Leather Grip Build Along

[albertakid]

Okay for all you guys that are needing a leather grip here goes.

This first pic is everything you are gonna need to make the grip including
bow, scrap leather,wax string(artificial sinew,dental floss), something to cut the leather ie.scissors,contact cement I prefer the spray adhesive for grips, but didn't have any barge will work as well, something sharp to poke holes in the leather a needle or fork etc.. and last but not least a seamstress tape(look in your wifes sewing drawer!!)
 


Now once you have all your stuff you need to measure the length of the grip I usually go between 4.5 and 5 inches
 

Then you will need to make a measurement at the top of the grip

 
cont....

[albertakid]

then again at the bottom of the grip
 

Now armed with your new measurements measure out a square that is longer on the bottom than the top like this
 


Once you have this done it will need to be cut out and marked for stiching I like to make my marks about 1/4-1/8 inch apart and make sure there are an even amont on both sides the holes are marked in blue for demonstration pruposes.

 
cont...

[albertakid]

Now that you have the leather marked take your sharp instument(no not your tongue) and punch holes through the leather on your marks.

 
Now you are ready to dry fit the grip to the bow

 
I like to leave about an 1/8 -1/4 gap between the edges that will close up as you sew making the grip a tight fit..don't be afraid to screw up leather is not that hard to come by and you want a tight fit.
 

cont..

[albertakid]

Now that you have dry fit the grip make and have made sure it is the right size apply contact cement to both the grip and bow and wait for it to get tacky(I left this out in the pics as I don't want this grip on my bow) once they are tacky apply the grip leather to the bow and work it around the handle.
 


Now you are ready to begin sewing up the grip start like you are lacing your shoes and criss cross your string material like this
 

Leave the string loose as it is easier to tighten once you reach the bottom

 
cont..

[beachbowhunter]

Geez Jordan, I thought you were going to rely on your carpentry skills to make a new cocobolo grip for your DAS  :D  

This will be fun. Cool looking little longbow you got there.

[albertakid]

Now that you have it laced up slowly tighten the lacing bringing the pieces of leather together in a tight fit pull hard, but be careful not to break your lacing material!!

 

Your finished grip seam should look something like this and you can finish it off by tying a simple overhand knot in you lacing and then trimming the ends
Leaving you with a finished grip that will stay put and look great.
 

Well i hope you enjoyed this it was kinda fun to make and keeps me from having to do it for you!!!

Jordan

[vermonster13]

Nice job Jordan.

[albertakid]

Norbert,

I got more than one bow and bag of tricks!!

Jordan

[Frenchymanny]

Nice!

What bow is this fellow Canuck?

F-Manny

[beachbowhunter]

Ok Jordan, get the router and belt sander warmed up!

(my knife handle is almost done, needs more shaping and slimming down for the bracer)

[albertakid]

Bring it on!!

Jordan

[Cutty47]

Great job, Jordan!  Thanks for sharing...

You bustin' knocks with that B&J yet?  I expect you to be competing in the longbow class, you know...

[Precurve]

Anyone have similar instructions for doing the old Bear styled grips without the stitching?

[BillW]

Dave, I am not sure but it looks to me like they probably cut those over sized and then on a belt sander tapered the inside fold so they would lay flat with no hump. If I was going to try to replace one of those grips, I would try this technique.

Bill