Replacing grip

[codger]

#7263

well I need to replace the leather grip on one of my bows it was in bad shape and started decmoposing in my hand so i rmeoved it. this is a longbow with the standard Schulz type riser.

I have not attempted anything like this I do relaize its not rocket science but hey I want it to look fisrt rate. What have you used to fasten the leather to the riser and any tips on cutting it to fit correctly. i have whats left of the old leather to use for a pattern.

[Greg Ragan]

#60046

codger wrote: well I need to replace the leather grip on one of my bows it was in bad shape and started decmoposing in my hand so i rmeoved it. this is a longbow with the standard Schulz type riser.

I have not attempted anything like this I do relaize its not rocket science but hey I want it to look fisrt rate. What have you used to fasten the leather to the riser and any tips on cutting it to fit correctly. i have whats left of the old leather to use for a pattern.

I used my old grip as a pattern and cut a peice of home tanned deer hide to match. I used barge cement on 3 sides leaving the back bare as I was going to stitch it. I moistened the hide a bit with a damp paper towel and stretched it a little but I am not sure this is really needed…I did it so once I stitched it I would have no slop once it shrumk back.

Mine turned out ok and I would try it again 🙂

Good luck with it. BTW I used deer sinew to stitch which is my it lok s alittle ragged…..I cut the ends off after a while and it looks clean now.

[codger]

#60153

Thanks for the rapid reply I need to try asnd hunt down barge cement locally? im pretty sure three rivers carries it but i hate wating. Ive got to make a trip to Tandy leathers and see if i can find some nice leather after work. I like the handle on your bow I tend to get the suede sweaty and then it looks nasty so im going to add smooth black leather if I can find a nice scrap at the shop.Ive had smooth black leather done on four of my bows when i had them built and it seems to hold up better for me but i do like the look of suede bettter.

my old sky longbow came with a black leather grip and it held up pretty well all these years.

[Greg Ragan]

#60159

I beleive Barge is just “rubber cement” but I could be wrong….

It was a tough choice for me to go suede side or smooth….

I started out my longbow journey with an old Sky Trophy longbow also!

I have heard of some folks finding leather at goodwill and alike in the form of black leather hats or handbags…..might want to hit the thrift shop locally?

[David Petersen]

#60472

Codger — there are better ways and more traditional ways, but for a fast cheap way that works, Kustom King sells a set including handle grip, shelf pad and riser pad with stick-on backs so all you have to do is slap ’em on. About $7 if I recall. But cutting a piece of leather and lacing it on is easy too, though it often loosens up with time and use. If you do that, be sure to soak it in water for a while and stretch it out before cutting to size and lacing tight. When it dries it will shrink for a tighter fit.

[Stephen Graf]

#61136

Barge cement is worth getting because it won’t ruin your bow finish. If you use regular rubber cement, the solvents will ruin your finish.

There is a really helpful video tutorial on the 3Rivers website that shows how to make a bow grip. I found it very helpful the first time I made a grip.

I ended up buying a deer hide from hidandfur website for $30 bucks. Now I have enough nice leather for a few decades worth of bows.

[Greg Ragan]

#61170

Steve Graf wrote: Barge cement is worth getting because it won’t ruin your bow finish. If you use regular rubber cement, the solvents will ruin your finish.

There is a really helpful video tutorial on the 3Rivers website that shows how to make a bow grip. I found it very helpful the first time I made a grip.

I ended up buying a deer hide from hidandfur website for $30 bucks. Now I have enough nice leather for a few decades worth of bows.

That is good to know about regular rubber cement! Thanks.

[codger]

#61263

imade a run by the lcoal tandy store yesterday i needed to get abew belt anywayand picked up some scrpa leather and brage cement. I had beautiful piec eof black thin leather in my archery tackle box i tried first i usualy use it to make caps for the bottom of my bows to protect them from bumping on the ground. well that piece didnt sit down nicely so i moved on to the piece i picked up at the store cut the first one too small being thicker leather than the originoal piece i used for my pattern it left a gap so I cut another and glued it on not bad at all looks almost like i knew what i was doing! ill try using the smaller one on my all wood longbow that has a smaller diameter riser now that i have an idea what im doing. That barge cement drys awfull fast it was about 95 degrees so it set up fast. Thanks for the help and input i really appreciate it. I’m thinking ill do my other Schulz bow next before i take pics to post.

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