Installed a new bow grip...first time!

[duck'n]

I have been wanting to try installing a leather bow grip for a long time now but for some reason was intimidated by the process.  Well I shot a bow with a beaver tail grip and decided I had to have one on my bow so I researched as much info as I could find and ordered the stuff.  Everything came in last week and this weekend I got to work.  I learned a lot and made some mistakes but in all, I couldn't be happier.  Since my Velcro was a bit worn I took some leftovers and made a new rest and strike plate.  Don at Eagles Flight made me a sweet quiver that I can't wait to see on there..it has dark brown leather side panels and a black beaver tail middle section.  Here are a few pics of the grip.

 

 

 

 

[Marc B.]

Looks good. Beaver tail grips are the best I've used.

[highlow]

Looks like a professional job to me. I might give it a try.

[Reaper TN]

Darn nice job!    

Awesome job!

Bisch

[Redux]

Looks fantastic!!!!

[Steve Jr]

That looks great! The first one that I did looks exactly like it. It was a fun experience and I have done a couple more since.    

[Matty]

Nice that looks real classy!

[Shadowhnter]

Where do you get the beavertail grip from?

[Dave Nash]

I'm liking it.

[Tater]

Nice work..

[duck'n]

Thanks everyone!

Shadowhntr, I ordered the beaver tail from Big Jim's (TG sponsor) but I found at least one other source when I was researching how to install.

[MCNSC]

You did good!!

[zepnut]

Nice work

[Alexander Traditional]

Real nice job! I've been wanting to try it myself. I was thinking about using a paper or cloth template to get started,and make sure i've got it pretty close before I cut the leather. How did you do such a good job of getting everything so precise?

[duck'n]

Alexander Traditional, I found a tutorial online...I could probably go find it again and email it to you.  Basically you soak the beaver tail in warm water to soften it then wrap it around the grip section and secure it with plastic wrap (wrap plastic around the grip section beforehand to protect during the wetforming process).  Let it sit for a couple of hours then remove everything and let it dry overnight.  The leather will be basically molded at that point.  I then took a SHARP pair of scissors and started trimming a little at a time until it followed the contours I wanted and I had an even seam down the belly side.  Next I pressed both seam sides together and clamped with clothes pins to hold in place and did my best to evenly space holes through both sides with a leather punch.  Then I applied a thin layer of barge cement to the rough side of the grip and wrapped it around the bow setting it in place.  Last step was to stitch up the seam with artificial sinew...curved needles helped a ton.  I would be happy to discuss it in more detail if you wish.  Good luck!

[Ken Sorg]

Was the beavertail somewhat soft and pliable or stiff? Bought some from the big auction site that turned out to be a huge let down. They had pretty good sized holes and thickness varied drastically.

[fling]

Wow duck'n great job. I also tried to do one the tail was very poor quality. it came out OK. can I ask where you got your tail from. looks way nicer than the one i got.

[duck'n]

I got the tail from Big Jim's...it was a very nice piece of leather.  It was definitely thicker at the top and tapered in thickness towards the bottom or end of the tail.  Before I soaked it, I moved it around, wrapped it, and figured out how it would work best.  I doubt I could get more than one grip of it but it left me a bunch of scraps to make rests, strike plates, etc.  There were some holes in the thinner parts at the tip of the tail but the main part was in great shape.  I highly recommend Big Jim's, he shipped it fast and it worked out great.

[Stump73]

Great work!