Trying a new way to finish handles

[Julian]

Went over a work in progress with my sloyd knife. I think once I sand the ridges and oil, this could look really nice, and its somewhat tactile.

What are your thoughts?

[osage outlaw]

I'm not a fan of it.  I like smooth lines on a selfbow.  Maybe if it was just in the actual grip it would look better.  That's just my opinion.  If you like the way it looks that's all that matters.   I would suggest making a better transition between limb and handle.  Your fades are pretty steep.

[Julian]

hmm, I'll work on it.

now you mention it I'm a tad worried about the fades. they are steep but I think it will be fine. it does taper into the working limb over a bit of a longer distance than you can see well here. Like its steep at the top but shallow at the bottom?

[Dances with squirrels]

I don't like it. I like em rounded and smooth as a baby's butt. If I'd find so much as a hint of a single tool or sanding mark on a bow when it's done, it'd drive me NUTS.

[George Tsoukalas]

Julian, there's lots of room for personal preference.
Watch that abrupt transition to the limb though.
Jawge

[Julian]

well I think I'll probably end up covering it in leather but in the mean time I'll try develop the idea a bit better.

I like the idea of having some kind of grippyness without changing the material

[Julian]

I'm a bit worried about my fades now so I'm going to take a better photo and start a new thread about it.

[PatM]

There is no need for a bow handle to have any grippiness.  Slick as a polished hammer handle is best.

[Dances with squirrels]

I find commercially tanned deer leather quite grippy.

[Julian]

For what its worth, here's a finished example of the kind of thing I was going for:

[Springbuck]

  I think it's cool.  I might not do it myself, but I like that you are.  Kind of a "staghorn" look like a knife handle.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I think that is a creative idea with a good finished look with a lot of possibilities if you use different stains.

[JWMALONE]

Julian, you have just reinvented checkering. I kinda like the look on certain handles, if ya like go with it.

[Aksel]

Hi Julian, I want to encourage you to try this handle style. Might turn out nice!

Even though glossy and shiny is pleasing to the eye (and dents and scratches can lead to a bow breaking), a part of me cant stand it too pretty,  replicating the look of fiber glass and plastic era bows with perfect surface. I feel similar about neat leather sewn on handles to be honest. Too much victorian era -robin hood romanticism for me:) Leather or suede soaks up moisture and transports it into the bow. I prefer it a bit rustic. I like to bring the character of the wood out with a nice finish and I tend to leave the grip bare, or wrap it in cord or simple strips of leather I can remove if wet.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Id like a snake or fish scale pattern. Something shallow, but able to be felt in the hand. I like my grips to have some "grab" to them. When you hunt with your bows you find yourself in a lot of scenarios. Gloves may be slippery from rain or snow or sweat. Or, maybe you dont have gloves on at all, just wet hands make a grip slide all over. I dont like that. I eliminate any chances of my equipment costing me. I want it to be my fault only when things dont go well in the field.