Leather wrap or rubber?

[epage_backwards_hat]

What does everyone prefer for wrap material on their longbow grips?
I currently have a stitched leather and not sure what I think of it yet… I’m honestly not used to having any grip material at all as my background is recurves. So it’s a bit new to me. I’ve heard people say leather gets a stink but idk.
There’s a part of me that wants to try a rubber like some inner tube. But no desire to use tennis wrap.
What’s everyone’s thought and experiences????

[LoneRanger]

I’m fond of beaver tail leather. It seems to have some water resistant characteristics as well as a grippy texture. I’ve had mine on my recurve for two years of steady shooting and hunting and there is no odor. Big Jim has a great video on You Tube showing how to install one.

[epage_backwards_hat]

They also look fantastic!

[cacciatore]

Beaver tail for sure

[LookMomNoSights]

Beaver

[achigan]

I have beaver tail on my Thunderchild and rubber on my BW PL. I rarely notice a difference. There is no stink to the TC grip.

[Maclean]

When I bought my Black Widow PL it had a rubber grip. Hated it and removed it. When I sent it to BW for a weight reduction/refinish I had them put a beavertail wrap on it. Wow, no comparison. I also have beavertail on my Javaman Elkheart. Highly recommended.

[Phillip Fields]

I don't use a wrap on my BW PL.

[Maclean]

I don't use a wrap on my BW PL.

If I had to choose between a bare handle and a rubber grip, it would be a bare handle, no doubt.

[Terry Green]

Being in the humid south, slick grips aren't really very friendly.

Leather.... works great. With all the sweat, no worries with stink that I've ever experienced.  I like the ruff side out for a more positive grip.  A nice shinny tanned side defeats the purpose.

Rubber, yes used it and is a very positive grip for sure.

Beaver tail is really nice, but expensive.

I have also used Bow Saddles.... if you don't always want your grip to get much bigger, the bow saddles are the answer.

https://www.3riversarchery.com/leather-bow-saddle-bow-grip.html

Then there is checkering.  This also works.  Some types of checkering work better than others.

It's all personal preference.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I have leather grip I want to put Beavertail grip on but I can't give any Pros or Cons because I shoot with a glove on so really doesn't affect my grip.

[GCook]

Beaver tail is good.  Elephant skin is really nice.

[David Mitchell]

Tennis racket grip wrap works great.

[Pine]

No need to put anything on the grip.
I personally like leather just because it looks good to me but I have a few bows that are just smooth finish grips.
I will add that a spiral wrap of suede leather is easy to do and it looks neat too.

[Mike Malvaini]

Being in the humid south, slick grips aren't really very friendly.

Leather.... works great. With all the sweat, no worries with stink that I've ever experienced.  I like the ruff side out for a more positive grip.  A nice shinny tanned side defeats the purpose.

Rubber, yes used it and is a very positive grip for sure.

Beaver tail is really nice, but expensive.

I have also used Bow Saddles.... if you don't always want your grip to get much bigger, the bow saddles are the answer.

https://www.3riversarchery.com/leather-bow-saddle-bow-grip.html

Then there is checkering.  This also works.  Some types of checkering work better than others.

It's all personal preference.

X2.  And, I whole heartedly believe grips of some kind are needed over smooth slick grips in humid climates.

[epage_backwards_hat]

I live in Missouri so humidity is certainly an old friend around here.

[GCook]

I'll use a black golf glove to get the same results on a slick grip.

[JR Chambers]

Tennis wrap for me or checkered grip. I use the tennis wrap to keep from slipping. I don't care about looks.

[M60gunner]

I was a fan of the rubber grip over the leather one that came on bow. That is until I moved to AZ. My hand turned black from the rubber in summer. So now I put that gauze tape over the leather. When it gets slick I change it out in a minute or less. I get the stuff at the feed store that’s used for wrapping horses legs. Cheaper than drug store stuff and wider.

[rastaman]

Beavertail on most of my bows.  My 2 Cari-Bow Peregrines beavertail grips have lasted a little over 15 years and have shot many, many arrows thru them.  I've hunted in the rain, cold, hot as Hades summers with them without a problem. YMMV