Handles

[Justin Snyder]

I prefer no handle wrap most of the time. I did them all that way for years. I thought I was the only guy in the universe who liked them that way as all of the bows I saw were wrapped.

[gmc]

I've struggled a bit with this myself. I don't use leather anymore because I never thought that it was a good fit for a primitive bow but have done it a lot just because I reckon.

The particular design that I make nowadays requires a little build up behind the handle so I just wrap with linen.

I agree, doesn't  have to be there to be a primitive bow.   

[crooketarrow]

  I've made 3 bows where I checker the handleslike gun stocks. Because they also like the wood feel But did'nt want the slippery handle. I have use elk skin on most of my bows it thin under a 16 th use'lly. I perfer some sort of skin simply because wood is slippery and COLD to hunt with. I don't like corage with it gets wentvit stays wet or if it's cold enough it frezzes. But it dose have a good feel. But it's want some people want.

[Marc St Louis]

Sometimes it's a bit of a shame to cover up a nice looking wood handle but many of the bows I make are spliced and have a carved in arrow pass.  Just wouldn't look nice with no leather wrap.  I sometimes make straight handled bows without a handle wrap.

[adb]

I've done both, but most of my bows have a wrapped handle. I have to admit, the bow just looks better, and more finished with a handle wrap of some sort. However, some bows, like warbows, don't look right with a handle wrap. To each his own!