Question about installing leather grips

[rufusbgood]

It is very rare that I am asked to install a leather grip these days but recently I had a request for a couple leather grips from a player who was wanting to boost the weight of his handles. The heaviest grips I could offer him were some old Neumann Luxury Leathers. It mostly worked out fine but I was not pleased with the way things went the first few inches of wrapping. Going over the buttcap I found myself with either a bulge or a wrinkled area. Anybody here got a sure fire method for installing leather grips that ensures a clean transition going over the butt cap?

[tennytive]

I'm not familiar with the grips mentioned, but the grips I've used all have the starting end cut off at an angle about 2 inches from the end. This helps to eliminate the bulge you refer to as the grip is not doubled over itself on the first wrap around.

I sometimes get the wrinkle, but if I repull with more tension and wrap tightly it goes away.

[rufusbgood]

I'm not really sure what it is about some leather grips that causes the job occasionally to be a struggle. I guess that's what I was hoping someone could clarify. I don't know if it's caused by the grip's thickness, the handle shape, the handle size, the grip's width, the choice of starting bevel, the size or shape of the buttcap, what? I have become really spoiled by the synthetic grips. They are pretty much hassle free.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by rufusbgood

I'm not really sure what it is about some leather grips that causes the job occasionally to be a struggle. I guess that's what I was hoping someone could clarify. I don't know if it's caused by the grip's thickness, the handle shape, the handle size, the grip's width, the choice of starting bevel, the size or shape of the buttcap, what? I have become really spoiled by the synthetic grips. They are pretty much hassle free.

Sometimes it takes me a few attempts to get it just right but pulling tight definitely is part of the equation.

[DeShaun]

I think if can warm the leather somehow it will become more pliable. Some people even claim to have soaked it in water before wrapping.

[jedd]

omg. used so many leather grips and had no problems at all...

[rufusbgood]

Originally Posted by jedd

omg. used so many leather grips and had no problems at all...

Tell me more.

About how many have you installed? What brands? Ever install a Neumann? What bevel do you start on? Do you use staples? Double faced tape?

More info please.

[coachrick]

Installed hundreds during the '70s and '80s. Some were difficult, others were easy-peasy. If the starting 'tail' is just too thick, you could try scraping(burnishing?) the backside so the overlap is not so pronounced. Pulling like crazy will stretch the part of the grip that needs to conform to the larger circumference. You can't completely eliminate the 'bump' that results from the overlap; but it can be minimized by these techniques. Plenty of use held/hold the racket one way to use or avoid the bump feel-wise.

Probably installed 98% of the leather grips without any adhesive. Staple in the butt-cap, pull tight while wrapping, staple at the top and Bob's your uncle! I'll admit that some well-placed carpet tape came in handy on plastic handles like the Wilson T-series and Head Competition models.

Careful installing too many leather grips if you have tennis elbow issues. It's a world of difference from synthetic grips in the amount of pull required.

[tennytive]

Originally Posted by rufusbgood

Tell me more.

About how many have you installed? What brands? Ever install a Neumann? What bevel do you start on? Do you use staples? Double faced tape?

More info please.

I never use staples. The grips I use all have double stick tape at the starting end. The brands I remember are Prince, Gamma, TW, and Head.

Picture the racket held vertically (The W for a Wilson facing E) and start on the bevel at 11 o'clock. My hand never touches this portion when I grip the racket, so I arbitrarily chose this location. Others may have a different choice.

I usually re-wrap the grip 2 to 3 times to "pre stretch" the leather and get the tightest wrap around that I can. I keep the overlapping to a minimum for the thinnest layer, as I then put an overgrip on top of the leather. When I'm finished, the grip is usually one size bigger. 4 1/2 > 4 5/8.

Practice and you'll be an expert in short order.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by tennytive

I never use staples. The grips I use all have double stick tape at the starting end. The brands I remember are Prince, Gamma, TW, and Head.

Picture the racket held vertically (The W for a Wilson facing E) and start on the bevel at 11 o'clock. My hand never touches this portion when I grip the racket, so I arbitrarily chose this location. Others may have a different choice.

I usually re-wrap the grip 2 to 3 times to "pre stretch" the leather and get the tightest wrap around that I can. I keep the overlapping to a minimum for the thinnest layer, as I then put an overgrip on top of the leather. When I'm finished, the grip is usually one size bigger. 4 1/2 > 4 5/8.

Practice and you'll be an expert in short order.

I never use staples either.

[rufusbgood]

Well coachrick seems to be the only one here who can recall a leather grip being difficult. I began stringing in the late 80's so he and I have experience with grips that date back a ways. Just so y'all understand, before the synthetics took over I probably installed about 150-200 leather grips, so I'm not exactly a novice at this. But here's what I'd like to do. I have one Neumann Luxury Leather left. I pulled it hard enough that the staples tore the tip a bit. Since both tennytive and mikeler don't use staples anyway that really shouldn't matter. I am offering to send this last grip at my expense to whichever of you two would like to accept the challenge of installing it and reporting back how much fun it was. Here's your grip:

[KoaUka]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I never use staples either.

Me neither. Just out of curiousity, does anyone remove the staple from the original (manufacturer's) grip. I never bothered, but looking at the TW learning center made me question it.

[Big_Dangerous]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I never use staples either.

Stapling really works best though. I remember when I wrapped my fairways, initially I tried to use double sided tape, but I found that it didn't work that well. Since I figured I would be using the grips for a long time, it made sense to fire up the staple gun. Plus, it's not like you can't unwrap the leather to remove or add lead tape. The only thing you can't do very easily after stapling is to remove the leather grip entirely, but leather is supposed to last as long as you have your frame.

[zapvor]

yea with the little bulge you just have to pull it tighter

[zapvor]

yea its a practice kind of thing. my first one was bad. now, its all good

[zapvor]

it looks like the adhesive backing is off already?

[rufusbgood]

Originally Posted by zapvor

it looks like the adhesive backing is off already?

Thanks for the laugh.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by rufusbgood

Thanks for the laugh.

?? i dont understand your post lol

[rufusbgood]

Originally Posted by zapvor

?? i dont understand your post lol

Your post made me laugh. It's not every day I get to start my morning by busting out laughing. So I offered my thanks.


Ok. Now, in anticipation of your next question here's the thing. Replacement grips haven't always had adhesive backing. Believe it or not, there was a time that no grips, not even synthetic grips had adhesive backing. The grip in the picture is older than you. The company that made the grip has been out of business longer than you've been breathing.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by rufusbgood

Your post made me laugh. It's not every day I get to start my morning by busting out laughing. So I offered my thanks.


Ok. Now, in anticipation of your next question here's the thing. Replacement grips haven't always had adhesive backing. Believe it or not, there was a time that no grips, not even synthetic grips had adhesive backing. The grip in the picture is older than you. The company that made the grip has been out of business longer than you've been breathing.

oh ok. well i am glad me being young and missing out on the old days without adhesive made you laugh.