Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: straightarrow on January 11, 2011, 12:46:03 am
-
I have noticed some really really nice leather grips on here. My finish work is getting alot better but it seems i always struggle when it comes to the grip. I want to learn how to make the fancy grips that are top notch. Are there any books or internet sites? If anyone can help me out..please do
Thank You
Jon
-
well i dont know about books etc. but 2 bows ago i made a grip that i really like.
i used some deerskin and stitched it with sinew. used knox tween the wood and the leather i can post tomarro.
the method i use is to tape over the handle with masking tape smooth it out and take a razor blade sliting it up the middle belly side. now you can peel the tape off and you have a pattern for the leather. it works real sweet. i cut the leather just about 1/8 inch smaller then the pattern so it gets real tight and stitch it up like a shoe string with the sinew or artificial sinew would work fine.
thats my 2 cents
-
sorry the pic isnt big enough to see.
anyway thats what i like to do
-
I measure my leather dry about 1/2 less around the handle and use a rule and mark the edge every 1/8 inch with a ink pen about 1/8 in and do the same to the other side just the same so the marks match both sides and take a wire brad clamp it in a pair of Vise grips and lay the leather on a phone book and push and twist the nail and make holes at the marks when done wet the hide and lay it to the handle with the area your going to stitch centered down the back of the handle I use two needles and start a over hand stitch with the thread and even it up just keep doing the stitching with the stitching and pull it tight with out ripping the leather and just keep stitching and adjusting as you go when you get to the last stitch pull the string tight and overhand knot it the knot will be under the leather. I never glue mine down because as the leather dries it draws tight. mostly I like to use buckskin I made about ten years ago from my first nice buck
-
Nice tip from rwaterman, I shall have to try that.
Mytop tips:-
1. If you want a nice clean edge, skive it to a tapered edge, (the long thin blades of those snap off craft knives are good for this) fold the edge back over itself (rough side to rough side) by about 3/16" with some glue in there, put it on a nice flat surface with a heavy weight on it overnight. Next morning you'll have a beautiful edge.
2. If you want to punch nice small holes, grind a parallell point onto a masonry nail (or suitable hard steel) then gring the point off dead square. If you use this to punch the leather onto an oak block it will take out perfect tiny round holes sweet as you like (I've only done it on upholstery leather)
Del
-
I have feathered and glued over the edges with heavy leather. But I like the rustic look of a self bow and leave it raw it lays tight to the wood and the edge really takes in the walnut hull stain and looks nice on a rustic bow.
-
I cut the leather 1/8" to 1/4" small depending on the leather, then taper 1 1/2" or so from both ends to get a tight fit, then use a ice pick to punch holes for stitching, a hole punch if I use leather lace
-
Thank you for the advice guys. That is a great idea using the tape...waterman. I like the idea of the clean edge Del...Thats one of the areas I struggle...the other is making the pattern.
How bout any lacing techniques guys??
Jon
-
Jon,
I know my handle wraps are pretty plain, as you saw on your bow. But, here's what I use. The leather, punch and lacing came from Tandy leather. I love that punch, does 4 holes at once, well, 3 after the first group as you put the end punch in the last hole of the previous batch to make the alignment come out perfect. My lacing is always pretty basic, I love simplicity.
George
(http://72.64.80.21/gks-pictures/sinew-21.jpg)
-
Jon,
look up braided leather bowgrip in the how to section. Scott
-
Thank you George. The hole punch i use now is round. I can see how the punch you use would work much better with flat lace. Gonna make a trip to the craft store.
Oneeye....That grip is awesome...thats what I want to learn to to do. Thats a great tutorial.
Here's the link for anyone that wants to check it out...
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,19825.0.html
Jon
-
Here is a how to I did on making a leather grip with out stitching.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000052
-
Thank You Eric....That is also a great tutorial. Would this techinique work with buck skin or brain tan??
Jon
-
My lacing technique is to do the first half inch all wrong and then go back and start again... >:( ::)
Del
-
My lacing technique is to do the first half inch all wrong and then go back and start again... >:( ::)
Del
Hey you stole my concept! ;D ;D ;D
-
I can't remember If I have used any other leather to put handles on bows with this method other than what you see in the pictures. DCM gave me the leather, the best I have ever used, probably put it on 50 or more bows.
I have used buck skin in the past and remember it stretches pretty easily so my recommendation is to put it on tight but not over stretch it or your edges will look wrinkly.
-
There is a buildalong on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/leatherhandle.html
-
remember that leather stretches more one way than the other so check it and aline it with the least stretch going around the bow, their is also a good build-a-long on here for a tennis handle wrap that look's real comfy
-
Thank you Jawge and thank you Bubby. I have done a tennis racket type grip and it is real comfy.
Jon
-
Straightarrow, check out page 8 in How-to's racket handle grip by Timo, realy nice grip. Their are several other's their as well
-
There is a buildalong on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/leatherhandle.html
This helped me out on my first handle.
-
remember that leather stretches more one way than the other so check it and aline it with the least stretch going around the bow, their is also a good build-a-long on here for a tennis handle wrap that look's real comfy
Interesting that you say that, 'cos I line it up with the stretchy direction around the bow for a tighter fit on gurvy grips... mind I've never tried it the other way.
Hey, looking on the bright side, between us we must have got it right. ;D
Del
-
Del, the reason is as you sew it up if it keep's stretching you end up with a loose wrap, but I dont glue on my sewn on grips anymore after a guy wanted to go with just a bare handle so he could see the lams in the handle better, was a real bear to get all the leather and fuzz and glue off, jmho, just how I do it, more than one way to skin a cat, right
-
I use slightly watered down elmers on my grips. It makes it nice if you want to take the grip off because it cleans all the glue off with water.
That was a great build a long. That is a really nice wrap. I picked up a few lessons there. Heres the link for anyone else that wants to check it out
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,11781.0.html
Jon
-
Sure is a good looking grip you made there!