leather handle bows

[Black Moshannon]

Here's some new hickory bows I made recently. 50# for the lighter handled one and 57# for the darker. They're the first I've put leather handles on. A week ago or so I was out hunting on a wet morning and was glad the bow I was using did not have a handle on it. I don't like the idea of leather and glue out in wet weather, so I think these will be the first and last bows I put handles on. Anyone have any thoughts on leather handles in wet weather?

The bow with the darker leather handle looks like its bending too much in the middle. It had a strong reflex/deflex profile when I was working on it. I was not happy with the tiller profile but it seems even enough and it has no string follow after maybe two hundred shots and many pulls to full draw.

[Black Moshannon]

More photos

[Black Moshannon]

The photos look distorted when I post them. The tiller does not really look quite like that....

[Stickhead]

I recommend using Imgur.  It’s free, you can upload your high-res pics there, then copy the link to your post.

[Black Moshannon]

Tried Imgur with these.

[Lumberman]

nice looking bows! love the handles

[bownarra]

If you put them on with a waterproof glue underneath and then wax them - they are never a problem. Also depends on what sort of leather you use. Ratan or just plain cord, wrapped around over glue are both excellent wet weather handles.

[Black Moshannon]

If you put them on with a waterproof glue underneath and then wax them - they are never a problem. Also depends on what sort of leather you use. Ratan or just plain cord, wrapped around over glue are both excellent wet weather handles.

What kind of wax would you recommend?

[George Tsoukalas]

I like leather handles. I don't think I ever made a bow without one. Just use a waterproof glue like Titebond 3.
Here is how I do it.
http://traditionalarchery101.com/leatherhandle.html

Jawge

[WhistlingBadger]

If you put them on with a waterproof glue underneath and then wax them - they are never a problem.

Same here.  I attach handles with TB3 and then grease it with Sno-seal or some homemade equivalent.  But around here, if it's raining hard enough to soak through my hand and ruin the handle wrap, I'm probably not going to be out trekking the backcountry with a self-bow, anyway.

[Jim Davis]

+1 on not hunting in the rain. You can get close to deer, but blood drops dissapear in a moderate shower.

[Yooper Bowyer]

Tracks show up in mud, just thinking...

I see you lived in Maine, what part?

[Black Moshannon]

I like leather handles. I don't think I ever made a bow without one. Just use a waterproof glue like Titebond 3.
Here is how I do it.
http://traditionalarchery101.com/leatherhandle.html

Jawge

Thanks for the link, great info. I'll be checking out more on the site.

[Dances with squirrels]

I've put leather on all my bows for 20 years, had them in the rain lots of times, and I don't seal the leather.... never had a problem. They still look great. I usually use deer leather, smooth side out. I use 3M spray adhesive and stitch down the front.

[Black Moshannon]

Looks like it was just paranoia on my part then. My handles are deer hide too