How significant is grip design?

[Cato]

I don't recall this issue being discussed out here. Out of curiosity.

How important do you think it is?
What type grip do you prefer?
Do you shoot straight, medium, or low wrist?

[bowshooter74]

Id say depends how perticular you are, Then id say its pretty important in that certain grips for certain people may cause them to be more app to torque. my .02 :sbrug:

[the other DWS]

the grip is kind of one's highly personal interface with the bow.
I have some perfectly good bows that I don't shoot much at all--nothing wrong with them it just the don't feel "right" or at least "as right" as some of the others.
In a couple of cases I have bows that are lesser bows--performance wise at least, that I just love to shoot simply because they feel so much an extension of my body and will. In general the older Hoyt metal risers seem to fit me like a glove--the little PM TD hunter is as close to perfect as I can imagine--at least for my fat little hands. The odd little PSE Sentry riser feels almost as good. On the other hand--so to speak--my non-FITA "ultra-Kodiak" on a Bear riser, just doesn't feel nearly as good; neither does my Samik Miser---good bows that shoot just fine, but don't feel as "right".

[1bjd]

The grip is the connection with the bow and your hand. One that fits and can be shot torque free is one to never let out of your hands. I have a Hoyt #2 grip that has been on no less than 5 bows. It just fits right. Doesnt look any different than any other but sure feels Good. Earl had it together! :2cents: John

[thisbucks4u]

I used to think it was pretty important. Now I know it is. I get lots of flack about the "Playdo" i have on my homemade high wrist grip on the Protec, but its always from those who finish behind me. It helps to keep your arm outstretched and aligned, locates your hand in the exact same position every shot and if its a good one it helps retard torquing. Lots to ask out of a 2 bit piece of "playdo" isnt it?

[SubconsciousShooter]

In my opinion, it is vitally important that the pressure on the grip when the archer is at full draw be directed as close as possible to the throat of the grip on a recurve bow. Thus, whatever grip gets it that way for me is the one I`ll take.

[Cato]

By the way, so far, the Hoyt grips seem to be my favorite, as far as those from a mgr.

TB4U, what exactly did you do with playdo (to your grip that is)?

[jhinaz]

Grips and Tabs are the only things that connect you to the bow. IMO each of these are personal items and probably need at least a 'minor' amount of tweaking by some archers to get the most out of their bow. Yes, I agree that Earl Hoyt Jr.'s grip design is outstanding, but some archers even modify his grips by adding Tennis wrap, checkering, skateboard paper, etc.

I shoot with a Low Loesch-type-grip, which I made from a Medium Hoyt wood grip.

[Torsten]

The importance of a good grip I needed to learn the hard way:

My first hunting bow, a recurve, has a longbow straight grip. My hand never found the right spot immediately, the bow easily inclined itself to the left side (RH bow) and I was hit by the string tremendously on the lower arm, sometimes a wrist sized spot turned blue the other day. Yes I used a good arm guard.

My recent hunting recuve has a semi-pistol grip, feels like my glove. Even though it has higher poundage it might touch the lower arm a little when I use thick clothing. Never missed the arm guard.

My old bow will get a modified grip: the piece of a juniper stave is waiting here already for warmer weather in my workshop. I will make an overlay or fitting that allows the hand to find the right height and angle.

These problems always show up when you mail-order without trying first.

[bowshooter74]

hey thisbuck, whats this piece of playdo your talking about? if there is a way to customize your handle would you share please? :)

[thisbucks4u]

Heres the deal. The factory grip on my protec riser is suitable for low wrist compound shooting but for a recurve it leaves alot to be desired. Being that Loesche wants 90 bucks for a grip and I waited for three months for hoyt to send me their version (visually identical to the loesche, but 65 dollars cheaper) I decided to make my own.

Side note-If anyone that works for hoyt reads this, please address your shipping/sales department. You make great equipment, but YOU ARE LOOSING SALESdue to untimely delivery. I waited 7 months for an ultra tec that never did show up and bought a darton avalanche instead.

It was easy since the factory grip is a two piece.I just traced and cut and spliced then put a two part stick plumbers epoxy on it, got it close to the form of my hand then drew the bow back and held it for as long as iI could to sort of force it into the exact shape of my grip. After it dried i sanded it down and voila-Custom grip by mike.

Pictures are top left Factory two piece
Top right factory on bow
Bottom left-My version
Bottom right- My version on bow

[the other DWS]

there used to be, and probably still is, a kit available to do just that. 2-part bondo-type epoxy and a thin disposable rubber glove to wear while fitting you hand to it. did it to one of my early compounds--fit so well no one else could shoot it and had a heck of a time grinding it off. It also added a lot of weight

[thisbucks4u]

Yep its called "forma grip" or something like that. Ill take my $1.69 tube of plumbers epoxy thank you.

[DAS]

That's cool TB4U,
You can add pigments to the epoxy too and get any color you want. I've got big jar of black pigment from Brownell's gunsmithing supply.

[Eaglearcher]

Over the years i have tried all types of grip and hand position.
I found that a high wrist grip gives a minimal transfer of torque from the hand to the bow, but the wrist tires easily and the grip becomes unstable. For the last five years or so i have shot with a low wrist and an open hand. I form a ring with my forefinger and thumb to catch the bow ( no bowslings allowed with longbow!). For those of you who shoot with a metal riser. When shooting a compound i always removed the handle and gripped directly onto the riser. I have found that the narrower the grip, the less torque gets transferred into the bow. Over the last couple of years it has become noticable that companies like Hoyt have started making their handles this way. Often with only a couple of thin wooden sideplates and the hand reating directly against the riser.

[thisbucks4u]

Over the last couple of years it has become noticable that companies like Hoyt have started making their handles this way. Often with only a couple of thin wooden sideplates and the hand reating directly against the riser.

Seriously shoot one for a couple months and come talk to me. :2cents:

[Cato]

Mike, what do you mean by that? "seriously, shoot one for a while and then talk to me"?

Does that mean you will like it? Or hate it? or what?

[Eaglearcher]

Mike.
I shot a Hoyt Aspen for five years and the first thing i did when i got it was to shave down the sideplates to get the grip as thin as possible. The only discomfort i ever had was in the winter when it was a bit cold on the hand.
Seriously, with a low grip hand position, open fingers and the weight of the bow evenly distributed acoss the palm of the hand at the base of the thumb i had no problems at all. (I managed to become European Champion shooting IFAA Bowhunter Limited style with it)
On another point. Does anyone think that the long Deflex riser of a Hoyt Aspen would make a good warf bow? I love messing about in my workshop and since turning trad i have an old one that isn't doing much any more.

[thisbucks4u]

I think that the Hoyt 2 piece slim plate grips make aweful nice compound bow grips. But, if you look at the Olympic riser line and even the Gamemaster you wont find anything that resembles them. For me it was hard to locate my hand in the exact same place every time, and the low wrist bugged the shizzle out of me, not to mention it retards draw length (more free speed).

[Eaglearcher]

Hey Mike me again.
Ive just read the thread again and i have to agree with you as far as the high wrist grip is concerned. The Hoyt was a b**ch to hold when i tried a high grip. I found it uncomfortable and tiring. The low grip was definatly better.

I see what you are saying about the extra draw gained by the high grip but as i shoot longbow with uncut shafts at a 31"draw, the last thing i need is extra length. Finding a bow that doesn't stack was hard enough as it was.

Shoot Straight, Shoot True

Eaglearcher

[thisbucks4u]

Lone Eagle.
Ive had my eyes out for a Hoyt Aspen for a while now. It has the same geometry as my 2001 Protec. Quite frankly I dont know how much better the "tec" risers are, but If the aspen is even close it will make you one bad ass bow. The pivoting limb pockets make it a snap to convert and allow you to go from compound to recurve in minutes. Let me know if your interested and I will weld you up some "pockets". I have a sub 30 inch draw but I get around 245 fps in 3d trim. same set up with a 31 inch draw nets you 260+. I have the limb angles tweaked a little shallow, but I wouldnt see where you couldnt comfortably get most arrows goin above 220 fps.

BTW- Anyone ever tell you your avatar looks like Freddy Mercury shootin a bow? (No insult intended) LMAO.

This post in no means is meant to steal any thunder from you "Minions". ROTFLMAO.

[Eaglearcher]

Mike

Thanks for the offer. If you could send me a sketch showing me how you make the limb pockets, i will get some made over here. It will save on the postage to the UK. Some photos of the PROTEC would probably help too.

Eaglearcher

PS Freddie Mercury eh!!!!
I suppose thats where BOWhemian Rhapsody came from is it??? :D

[thisbucks4u]

Why Yes, Yes it is. LOL.

Im in the middle of getting a new camera. So the Pictures will have to wait. But in the archives there is a thread devoted solely to the conversion.

[Eaglearcher]

Mike
I have just tried looking for the thread in the archives. I tried the words Warf, Protec and Hoyt in the search engine and still can't find it. :sbrug:
Could you let me know the name of the thread if you can remember it.

Thanks
Eaglearcher

[thisbucks4u]

Found it, but all the pictures are gone :mad:

Hers one of the profile:

[peter]

Just the grip is the differece between longbow & recurve, for example. The grip design will dictate your shooting style - + performance.