Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: David Long on December 16, 2008, 01:53:41 pm
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Morning folks. I've been making one-piece rawhide handle wraps for my bows for a few years now and I thought I'd share with you my methods and why I like these. They are very simple to make and IMHO extremely functional and attractive. Measure up the circumference of your bow at the handle, decide how long you want the wrap to be, then cut that rectangle out of rawhide presoaked in water so it's nice and flexible and stretched out. Leave a section of rawhide attached at one corner of the rectangle, and out of this cut a 12'' long lace maybe 1/8" wide or so. Cut the rectangle neatly, but for the lace don't worry about how perfect it is as defects don't show once the sewing is completed. When you are finished cutting you should have a rectangle with a tail hanging off one corner. Now punch holes along the two edges you'll sew and lace it on with your preferred type of stitching. Since the lace is attached to the handle piece there is no need for knots or other methods of getting started. At the opposite end of the stitching leave a 3/4" tail, and tuck this up under the handle on the off side of the bow so it's sure not to get in the way of a rest or the knuckle. Let the rawhide dry (a day or two depending) and it will shrink tight onto the bow, holding the tag end of the lacing fast in place. When it is completely dry wax it up with furniture stuff or even parafin. You now have a handle that FEELS good (at least to me), absorbs perspiration, stays on forever, and resists all but the most horrifically wet conditions. I make them out of the previous seasons animals and it feels good to do that and I don't have to spend a huge amount of time processing the hides. When you dye the rawhide (RIT works great, that's what I used on the dark ones in the photo) you come away with handle that looks like fine Italian leather. If you prefer the look of rawhide, skip this. A few tips: elk rawhide or something thick works a little better. If you use deer use the thicker areas of a hide. Cut the rectangle slightly larger (say 1/8") than you want the finished handle to compensate for shrinkage. I have not seen these types of handles around, but I am certain I am not the first one to make them. Dave
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COOL 8)
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Thanks for sharing David, great idear :)
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Nice,and great looking bows too....
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If a person was unable to attain elk rawhide could you make the rectangle piece twice as long and wrap it twice? Would the pieces adhere to each other? what about a squirrel hide? Sorry so many questions, ive never used rawhide other than for chew toys.
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no life :-\
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redwasp I'm sure you could use any rawhide, it's just that I prefer the thick stuff. There are many possibilities I'd love to see the artistic tyoes here explore and that was my main reason for posting this. Leave some hair on? Even a tail perhaps? Could you make them out of a deer hide leg case skinned so no stitching required? Lay off them chew toys man :) say 'em for Fido!
Mitchman, you're absolutely right. No life I agree. Dave
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Very cool David. Thank you for sharing!
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Very nice. Thanks. :) :) :) Jawge
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Those look very nice,may have to give it a try.Thanks. :)
Pappy
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That's a good idea, I'll have to try that-great looking handles. I would never have guessed that the black ones were dyed rawhide.
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Could you do this with leather too? Kinda like they do wet molded holsters.
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Sure Hickoryswitch nothing wrong with leather. Tanning elk hide is (for me at least) a really tough job and I've found raw hide works great for this. The dyed stuff looks almost exactly like leather. Dave
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I dont see why not...I do Knife Sheaths the same way with Leather.......oops.....David already rang in!!!
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Thats a great idea. Thanks for sharing it. I like the look and think I will give it a try.
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David, How does the rawhide handle hold up to moisture from your hand. I know that rawhide handle wraps are traditional and I have thought about trying it but wondered about the effects of moisture. Pat
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Pat I hunted all this season in NW Montana (generally wet for the west, think of it as Seattle Lite) with no problem. But that is one reason I wax them. Several long days in drizzle they held up fine. As far as perspiration, I walk and climb around a lot again had no problem. They seem to absorb quite a bit of moisture without any obvious negative effects. I've never had one loosen up. Feels better than leather to me because it's more solid. Some folks might not like this. Only potential problem might be they are loud, but strike plate of other material can take care of that. Dave