Author Topic: quick question on rounding out the handle  (Read 5319 times)

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Offline Chad

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quick question on rounding out the handle
« on: September 19, 2014, 01:02:07 am »
Hi all, So I'm starting to put the finishing touches on my mollegabet and I have the back of the handle area pretty square, not rounded off at all. It isn't the most comfortable. I was curious if it is okay if I round it out just a bit??? Make it a bit more ergonomic. Thanks.

Just to clarify I am talking about the back of the bow, in the handle area.

Offline jeffp51

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2014, 01:11:13 am »
I am not the expert that many are here, but I would say yes.  See if others agree

mikekeswick

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2014, 03:10:14 am »
No problem as long as you leave say a 1/2 inch strip down the middle of untouched wood. Or you can glue on some leather/suede etc to the back and then round that over. Or a combo of the two!

Offline Pappy

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2014, 05:24:44 am »
No problem as long as it don't bend in that area. :)
  Pappy
Clarksville,Tennessee
TwinOaks Bowhunters
Life is Good

Offline Pat B

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2014, 08:56:03 am »
Please show us pics of what you are talking about.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2014, 09:27:22 am »
No problem as long as it don't bend in that area. :)
  Pappy

I agree. I round mine right off. Never had a failure doing so.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline Dances with squirrels

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2014, 10:06:23 am »
Yep, I round everything off. Nothing left square or uncomfortable.
Straight wood may make a better bow, but crooked wood makes a better bowyer

Offline Pat B

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2014, 10:27:36 am »
Here is how I round out the back of the handle. I use thick leather, cut a 4" rectangle and shape it...


...then I soak the leather in warm water to make it more flexible, add TB glue to the leather and back of the bow handle and put them together. Next I wrap with rubber bands until the glue sets(usually a few hours)...




...and here it is once the bands are off. After this I shape the leather so it transitions smoothly to the back of the handle.


Once it is all cleaned up I like to use hemp cordage for a handle wrap like this. You can see the filled out bulbous handle in this pics. It really fits the hand nicely...
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline lebhuntfish

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2014, 10:55:53 am »
Very nice Pat, that looks fairly easy too! Patrick
Once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout!

Missouri, where all the best wood is! Well maybe not the straightest!

Building a bow has been the most rewarding, peaceful, and frustrating things I have ever made with my own two hands!

Offline Pat B

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2014, 12:39:15 pm »
Very easy, Patrick! You can also use cork, thick rawhide or layers of thinner leather. I guess you could even use wood if the back is flat enough so you get good mating for the glue joint.
 If you have a shoe repair shop, saddle/tack shop or leather shop in your town they probably have these pre-cut shoe soles or thick skirt leather.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Online Eric Krewson

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2014, 02:34:08 pm »
I round all my handles on the back and belly. I make them perfectly round for the 4" handle section that will be covered with leather and fade out the round portion gradually into the ends of the fade. I make my fades a bit longer than most folk so this gives me a graceful transition.


Offline huisme

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #11 on: September 19, 2014, 02:37:10 pm »
I round the backs of my handles every time, sometimes leaving only a quarter inch of the surface of the back ring intact. Something else I do is leave an extra ring on the back of he handle so I can roun it completely and even do some forming. If all else fails, glue on some cork ;)
50#@26"
Black locust. Black locust everywhere.
Mollegabets all day long.
Might as well make them short, save some wood to keep warm.

Offline Chad

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #12 on: September 19, 2014, 07:30:03 pm »
wow great replies! Thanks everyone. I saw some very cool leather wrapping in the how-to's section I might be doing.

Offline lebhuntfish

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #13 on: September 19, 2014, 10:36:55 pm »
I wish I had info like this when I started to finish my first handles! Patrick
Once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout!

Missouri, where all the best wood is! Well maybe not the straightest!

Building a bow has been the most rewarding, peaceful, and frustrating things I have ever made with my own two hands!

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: quick question on rounding out the handle
« Reply #14 on: September 19, 2014, 11:05:23 pm »
I round the back off on bulbous handles.

I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left