To checker or not?

[Biathlonman]

I've been contemplating sending off a bow to Dave Windauer to have the grip checkered. I adore the bow the way it is and think the checkering may take it to that next level. Anybody ever had it done and then regretted it?

[Rusty Izatt]

I had Dave do the grip on my Blacktail and love it, no regrets here. Keeps your hand from slipping when sweating when its hot out and even when its cold and you have gloves on you get no slippage.

[nineworlds9]

I've owned two Schafers so far that had the checkered grip.  He does it flawlessly and its very nice for traction.  The most recent was the double carbon Tip I reviewed which was around 65# at my DL and it didnt bother my hand at all.  As an alternative consider Jim Neaves small stippling.  Also feels very nice.

That being said, if you adore the bow as-is, why change it? LOL.  I don't think you'll regret it, just trying to help make an informed decision.  Have you considered doing a beavertail grip instead?  Big Jim could hook you up with one.

[Biathlonman]

I've got a beaver tail (done a bunch), didn't like Jim's stippling, but have liked the checkered silvertips I've tried. You might be right, probably should just leave this new one alone.

[jacobsladder]

I just purchased a used rer with Dave's checkering. Made all the difference for me...love it.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

For looks it's great... I love it. But i don't like the feel of it biting into my hand at full draw at all....

btw... if your bow is slipping around from a sweaty hand, you aren't holding the dad burn thing right.

[YORNOC]

I definitely like checkering and believe it is just one more advantage for me.
 If it didn't cost so much I'd have every one of my bows done. But it is an art form, so its got a price to match. If you have never seen anyone do it, you need to check it out.

[buckracks7]

Checkering is worth it. I like it better than stippling, and you will get used to it. Dave does a great job, as do some others.

[Scott Barr]

Last month attended a two day clinic with Rod Jenkins.  He advises against checkering, or in my case, Morrison pine cones.  Hand should go naturally into the repeatable place when drawing into hand.  Checkering will get in the way of this.  Just saying...Everyine has their own preferences.  But I sure learned a lot from Rod.  Scott

[Manitoba Stickflinger]

With checkering I've found that I can use any material glove and still have consistency. Without, cotton or wool gloves don't stick to the grip the same as my bare hand or with leather.

[bigbadjon]

If you get checkering I would get it for the sides of the grip for looks and leave the throat alone. Traction is counter productive to accurate shooting because it doesn't allow the bow to slide into a natural pressure point.

[Izzy]

Id say its a must, not that its a must have but a must see!  

I have more guns than I dare count, some of them are fine guns and not one has checkering to compare to Daves work.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by bigbadjon:
If you get checkering I would get it for the sides of the grip for looks and leave the throat alone. Traction is counter productive to accurate shooting because it doesn't allow the bow to slide into a natural pressure point.

This is the perfect solution. best of both worlds...

[Biathlonman]

I think Manitoba stickflinger nailed it, I see the most advantage with gloves on.

[YORNOC]

Originally posted by Biathlonman:
I think Manitoba stickflinger nailed it, I see the most advantage with gloves on.

I agree.

[centaur]

Izzy,
That riser looks like it was made by Holland and Holland. Beautiful!

[Yellow Dog]

If it's a bow you already have and the grip fits you well it's a bonus. Some detractors say they don't like the way it "bites" into your hand. If it's biting into your hand it's not because of the checkering, it's a result of a grip that isn't just right for you. A quality checker job on the right grip only makes it better. JMHO.

[jacobsladder]

Yellow dog x 2

[Diamond Paul]

I never checkered my grips until I got a shop bow from Wes Wallace that had checkering.  He highly recommended it, although I never had chosen to have him do it on any of the other bows I ordered from him, basically because of what has been said about grips and accuracy above.  However, I like it, and have him do this on all of my bows now.  He checkers the palm swell, but not the throat area, which seems ideal to me.  It really pays off when using cotton gloves, which tend to make the grip slip around in the hand.  I don't have a problem with the checkering biting into my hand at all.

[stagetek]

I had Dave checker a RER I had. I really liked it. He does a great job.