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Author Topic: quick question on rounding out the handle  (Read 5853 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.
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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
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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!
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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
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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.
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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 »
Quote from: Pappy on September 19, 2014, 05:24:44 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.
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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.
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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...
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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
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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.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline 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.

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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 ;)
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Black locust. Black locust everywhere.
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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.
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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
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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.

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