2019 Bow Trade - Sign up closed

[jeffp51]

I have a bit of a dilemma, and I am hoping to get some opinions--maybe my victim will even chime in with personal preferences:

My trade bow has a laminated handle area, and as I have put the finish on, I have been really happy with the way the grain has popped.  It looks really nice, in my opinion--hence my dilemma.  My own personal preferences for a bow are to have a arrow rest and a leather grip--I just like the feel and the consistency with that setup.  But it almost feels like a shame to cover this handle up.  So I have a few options:

1. Leave the grip bare, as a shoot-off-the-hand bow.
2. Add a full leather grip, strike plate and shelf (using a small wedge of leather under the grip)
3.  Leather grip with a floppy rest--in such a way that it could be removed if the new owner prefers the bare bow.  If you soak the grip in water before it's sewn on, it shrinks tight and doesn't require glue to stay in place.

What would you do?
 

[stuckinthemud]

IF it was coming my way, then I reckon it'd be a real shame to cover that up

[Deerhunter21]

+1 dont cover it. Its too pretty. I think hed like that more than a leather grip

[sleek]

That's too pretty to cover. That would be like putting clothes on Aphrodite.

[silent sniper]

I guess I will be the odd man out, I would still cover it and add an arrow shelf if that's your goal.

A leather grip only takes up a few inches of the grip and the beautiful wood still looks great on the fades. I think the contrast of leather against the wood will make for an even nicer looking bow. 

That's just my .02!
-Taylor.

[M2A]

I would not cover over that work. Pretty grain, perfect looking glue lines.....I would burn a line or 3 in for a guide for arrow placement but no shelf. That's what i'd do. Regardless it will be nice.
Mike       

[Stickhead]

I’d leave it naked and beautiful.  Anybody receiving that bow is capable of adding a wrap and/or shelf if they prefer.

[Bayou Ben]

I would be in the same dilemma as you Jeff.  It's a beautiful lamination that you wouldn't want to cover but then again I believe these builds should be in your own style not necessarily what you think your victim would want.   
I'm leaning more towards sniper's view.  A leather wrap doesn't cover it all and adds another level of contrast.   Plus I would be more inclined to pick up and shoot a bow with a comfortable grip.  One with a beautiful handle and not so comfortable grip would probably sit more. 

[hoosierf]

 Nekid is my vote. Just might want to put in an arrow pass to protect that beauty.

[Deerhunter21]

now that I think about it, the leather could be cool if it dosn't cover up the whole handle! maybe put a pattern on the leather!!!!! that would look awesome and amp up the coolness!!!!!

[jeffp51]

if I did a handle, it would be similar to this one, maybe a little more minimalistic. . .

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,66281.0.html

[Bayou Ben]

Finished the tiller.

Sneak peak of the finish work....

[Swampman]

Ben, that bow looks great!  Tiller looks great. Nice job with that wavy piece of wood.

[burchett.donald]

  Ben,
         Looks awesome buddy...That tiller is money, nice an even and completely balanced...That's what I call a bendy...
                                                                                                                                                                                   Don

[PaSteve]

Beautiful bow Ben. I really like that one.