Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Badger on October 17, 2010, 08:55:06 pm
-
Wondering how many guys just leave the handle bare wood, I have always liked the feel of it better than a wrapped handle. Many say they look unfinished but I kind of prefer the look also. Of course I am not very good at the leather wraps anyway. Steve
-
Steve, I very rarely use leather handle wraps. Over the last couple of years I have used rattan or cordage wraps. These give me a better grip in all sorts of weather. I like the looks of a "naked" handle but with sweat or rain the bow can slip in my hand while shooting.
-
Pat, cordage wraps are my next favorite if I want a more finished look. I often use just unbleaced linen and coat with tb4. I think I will go to the hobby shop and check out more cordage for this. I am in the midst of finishing some bows that have been waiting years for sandpaper. Steve
-
ofr me it all depends on the styl of grip and the purpose of the bow
-
Steve, It depends on what kind of mood I'm in or the wood. And sometimes If I just want to try something different. I've got some Black Tip shark skin rawhided out right now I'm going to try. I think it will make a good grip, even when you getting sweaty hands or hunting in the rain. It feels like 200 grit sandpaper.
-
I've read the Asians use it as sandpaper- you have any extra you'd like to trade? I wished I'd kept some of the stingray I've caught over the years for the same purpose.
-
Naww, Jeff. I've only got two small pieces and I'm gonna use one and I promised Mechlasher the other. I'll take the whole hide next time my buddy catches one, then I'll have enough to give away. This was an experiment on tanning.
-
... I often use just unbleaced linen and coat with tb4. I think I will go to the hobby shop and check out more cordage for this. ...
The linen cordage can be dyed after application with wood or leather dye; I usually coat with boat varnish.
-
Sharks and rays are always comming up on the pier where I live, fisherman will usually just give them away. I need to go hang out on the pier some night and fish while I am at it.
-
Hi Folks, My favorite bows all have bare wood handles. You have to admit though that a well done handle wrap can add a lot to the look of a bow.
Ron
-
Bare wood for me by preference, but then I don't shoot in the rain if I can avoid it.
Del
-
badger, I never leave the handle bare. My preference is a nice leather sewed on handle. I'll do a cordage wrap if I want a more primitive look. Jawge
-
It's rare if I leave one uncovered,most of the time stitched leather. I did leave the backwards Osage bow i made a few months ago unwrapped so you could see the bark on the inside of the handle. :)
Pappy
-
The only bows I leave without a handle covering of some sort, are yew warbows.
-
Bare wood for me by preference, but then I don't shoot in the rain if I can avoid it.
Del
They say cats don't like water. now I know why ;D
Don't like a bare handle. Just like the look of a good finished wrap or cordage
-
I like a leather wrap when hunting on cold mornings, just seems to keep my fingers a bit warmer and gives the bow a more finished look. Scott
-
I wrap min with some sort of string.
-
I think all of my personal bows have bare handles. Most bows I make for others have laced leather.
-
Bare or some wrapping made from wood, only tried Birch bark so far in that category. Would love to try some more primitive wood wrapping, don't know how though..
-
I usually put a Hemp wrap on mine, but the last Black Walnut i finished i left bare just couldn't cover up that pretty wood (from white sapwood to heart wood) I figure i can always put a wrap on it if i want to.
-
Hi Steve,
I usually sew, or wrap a grip out of leather since I have tons of it and a commercial sewing machine, but the reality is I do prefer a bare wood grip with a little surf wax where the palm goes. The other reality is beauty sells, but the fastest ones I keep for myself with no wrapped grip or signature..kinda like the yellow one on the top of my site.. ;)
Rich
-
Usually do some kind of wrap, makes the leather glued-on shelves look better. Leather's a facorite, but jute's growing on me ;)
-
I am really liking a floppy rest and jute twine set in TB III for my handle wraps lately although my last bow I left bare wood. :)
-
I use hemp cord from Walmart for handle wraps. I set it in Massey finish. I used to use TB glue to set the wraps but in the rain or with sweaty hands the wrap always got tacky. With the Massey finish I don't have that problem.
-
How about stippling a grip for those who like bare wood? I did this with a recurve I built and I really like it.
-
Could one of those members using hemp/jute/cordage add a pic of their handles in this fashion?
I'm trying to determine what would be best for my bow right now, too. Had been thinking leather, but would like to see some examples. ;)
Thanks!
-
I always cover my handles with some sort of material and always feel guilty after doing it. ::)
-
This has been my favorite handle wrap so far. Thanks again Tim!
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,11781.0.html
-
Thanks for the older post from Tim. That was about how I had planned to do mine, but now I know, with a lot more confidence, how to go about it.
-
Here is my favourite style of handle wrap; leather lace.
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
I have used Rattan wrap, leather laced, leather wrap, cordage winds, an left it bare. The wrap is like a pictue frame. It only enhances the work of art. And matching the frame to the painting is the way I decide. You wouldn't frame a victorian scene painting with a rustic rough hewn frame and you wouldn't frame a rustic outddor scene with a gold gilded fancy frame. Match the hatch is sound way to decide. After all, our bow creations are a work of art. About bare handles, sometimes a work of art can stand alone.
In other words, bare or covered, it is the artistic expression of the bowyer.
-
I like a glued glove leather arrowplate and sewn glove leather handle coated lightly with paste wax. I am going to try just a arrowplate alone though.
-
Frank,
Is the alternating black a brown a dye job?
-
Nate,
it's a lighter and a darker striüe layed next to each other.