Leather Grips: Gamma vs. Babolat vs. Wilson

[snoflewis]

i haven't seen too many reviews of the differetn leather grips available on TW...so here it goes.

i play w/ bare leather grips and the leather grip on my redondos are just flat out terrible. they're incredibly slippery, smell bad, and even when broken in, they do not feel as tacky as other leather grips i've tried. I've tried wilson mainly, but i was wondering how the gamma and babolat leather grips compared to the wilson (mainly interested in the babolat)

 

[meh]

If you're playing with just leather, then you'll want the best. The Wilson and **** grips are the best on the market. Remember to take good care of them, too.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

I'm playing with the gamma right now. When it gets wet it gets sticky so it doesn't slip. It does have that leather smell which I always get a whiff of but at least it doesn't smell like ass though. So far so good.

 

[snoflewis]

I'm playing with the gamma right now. When it gets wet it gets sticky so it doesn't slip. It does have that leather smell which I always get a whiff of but at least it doesn't smell like ass though. So far so good.

lol...redondos smell so badly. when i tore the plastic off the racket i almost fainted )) not to mention my hands smell worse after playing

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

lol...redondos smell so badly. when i tore the plastic off the racket i almost fainted )) not to mention my hands smell worse after playing

Maybe they use the skin from the @nus to make their leather hahaha

I'm using it on the O3HT i bought you combined with the sppp hextreme. Feeling the bevels on that frame makes a huge difference.

 

[snoflewis]

Maybe they use the skin from the @nus to make their leather hahaha

I'm using it on the O3HT i bought you combined with the sppp hextreme. Feeling the bevels on that frame makes a huge difference.

i see....the 03ht was the fastest frame i got rid of

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

i see....the 03ht was the fastest frame i got rid of

One man's garbage is another man's treasure

 

[snoflewis]

One man's garbage is another man's treasure

i wouldnt call it garbage...just a piece of crap imo

 

[AndrewD]

snoflewis,

I haven't used an PK racquets with leather grips but they do sound a little bit like the Prince version you get on the POG mid and OS. Look nice to begin with, little bit of tac and then, after a day's play, the colour wears off and they become very slippery (although I wouldn't say the smell was bad). The only thing that I've found helps is rubbing them with a wire brush to score the leather (same as you do with leather soled shoes) and 'rough' the surface a touch.

Babolat leather grips I found a bit heavier and thicker than the Prince. They didn't seem to have any articial tac, just a traditional, firm leather feel. Also a bit wider than the Prince. If you use them and find they're getting a touch slippery you can wipe them down then run a piece of white chalk over the grip (it is basically talc) or use some talcum powder. Both methods dry the grip out quite nicely.

 

[psp2]

I don't like the Wilson leather grips. It just doesn't keep that supple feel too long. I have not used the Gamma nor the Babolat leather yet. I have mostly stuck to Fairways, but as we all know, supply is very limited. I do find Volkl leather grips to be fantastic. Very supple and keeps its tackiness a long time.

 

[M1KE]

I've only used Volkl and it's great!!!
I've had it for about 4 months and it's still in excellent condition. I know TW doesn't sell them anymore though. :sad:

 

[psp2]

I've only used Volkl and it's great!!!
I've had it for about 4 months and it's still in excellent condition. I know TW doesn't sell them anymore though. :sad:

..another Volkl leather grip fan!! I have a good supply of them right now. Not too many Volkl dealers are left that will carry them. Thank goodness that my local shop still had some left.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

will have to check out the vokl grip on my 2nd frame then.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

Sweet my local shop has it too. I'll compare it vs gamma

 

[psp2]

Sweet my local shop has it too. I'll compare it vs gamma

Yup, that's the one. BTW, leftover portion of the grip makes great power pads for natural gut stringjobs!!

 

[progman_2000]

A little off topic but I just bought a POS off of the 'bay and it has a Fairway leather grip on it - wow, very nice. I have always heard about them, can't wait to play with it

 

[rasajadad]

I have used the leather grips that come with the PK's, the Babolat, Volkl, as well as some old Prince take-offs. Here's my opinion:
Babo's feel good. A little thick. Don't last long. Very long in case you want to overwrap.
Volkl- Tackier than Babo. Shorter in length. Heavier than Babolat. Better quality leather.
Prince- Nice two tone appearance. Tackiest out of the pkg. No adhesive on the back so wrapping it requires 2-sided tape or adhesive. Thinner than either of the above.
PK- Lasted longer than the Babolat. Became tackless after a while.

BTW- Didn't sniff any of them, so I can't help with that.

 

[Richie Rich]

i'm happy enough with the babolats. tried gamma a while ago and didn't like them - didn't wrap around the butt cap to well and they felt stiff.

 

[SFrazeur]

Can someone tell me which of the grips has the best bevels?

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

Which one is the thicket? Yes i'm too lazy to look at the stickied posts.

 

[blubber]

I tried Wilson, Babolat, and Volkl.

I thought the Volkl was the best quality- better leather, more supple. The Volkl definitely seemed heavier and thicker than Babolat. Wilson was on the thicker side but I didn't like it too much, although its not terrible. The Wilson seemed to be a cheaper leather, it also felt firmer than the others. I mostly use Babolat b/c it's pretty good quality and it's thin (after some stretching, wrapping and re-wrapping). With the Babolat the grip on my frame doesn't feel too big when using an overgrip.

 

[Tennis Man]

I like Babolat but if you are really serious about leather, try to find some Fairway grips, even used ones. They are awesome, solid-looking, soft, thick and smooth. I've just seen some used on fleabay go for like $5 a piece.

 

[federermcenroeagassi]

i use wilson because i like its firmness and tackiness is perfect for me, not too tacky, but tacky enough. i have a pk one and snoflewis is right, its horrible, and... indeed it does smell. i want to try a babolat one though

 

[snoflewis]

thanks for the updates...i think i will stick to babolats

 

[emo5]

i use wilson because i like its firmness and tackiness is perfect for me, not too tacky, but tacky enough. i have a pk one and snoflewis is right, its horrible, and... indeed it does smell. i want to try a babolat one though

Cant confirm it mate but I reckon the answer is most likely no.
Why? Racket manufacturers wanna spend the minimal amount on other parts of the racket (strings, grip etc..). Thats why the factory string you get is normal crap and not worth $1. Same with the grip, if the spend $3 on every leather grip with the racket, then after producing a million, thats 2 million less for them.

 

[Richie Rich]

Can someone tell me which of the grips has the best bevels?

i found them all ok. gamma seemed to be thickest if that matters but they all did good job of allowing you to feel the sharpness of the bevels

 

[jdeloach]

Take a look at Vantage leather grips. I just recently started using them, and like them(so far) better than the Wilson and Gammas.

 

[snoflewis]

i picked up 3 babolat leather grips today, put one on and they're great. way better than the PKs and they're not as smooth as the wilsons so they're pretty grippy even w/o breaking them in. only downside is the gold print on the grip tends to get on your hands leaving them nice and glittery

 

[rasajadad]

Can someone tell me which of the grips has the best bevels?

By the best bevels, do you mean you want the grip to end up smooth or with a ridge?

 

[SFrazeur]

By the best bevels, do you mean you want the grip to end up smooth or with a ridge?

It is sort of hard for me to explain, perhaps this attempt at an illustration will help.

As you know the grip is not flat but looks kin of like this:
...________
_/________\_

Well, I am looking for the leather grip with that has the most defined edges, in red:
...________
_/________\_
I do not know if what I am looking for even makes sense or is availible, but that you for your interest in my question.

 

[Amone]

I've used Gamma and Babolat. I used the Babolat longer before it started to get to me, so I'm gonna say Babolat's probably better. I didn't like the gold on the Babolat grip, though.

 

[mhstennis100]

What's a fairway grip? I have Babolat leather(under overgrip) and how do they compare?

 

[rasajadad]

Bevels

It is sort of hard for me to explain, perhaps this attempt at an illustration will help.

As you know the grip is not flat but looks kin of like this:
...________
_/________\_

Well, I am looking for the leather grip with that has the most defined edges, in red:
...________
_/________\_
I do not know if what I am looking for even makes sense or is availible, but that you for your interest in my question.

The Babolat produces a perfectly flat grip, so I would say they are NOT for you. I can't say which has the sharpest, though.

 

[hughsiss]

Take a look at Vantage leather grips. I just recently started using them, and like them(so far) better than the Wilson and Gammas.

Yeah, Vantage leather grips are the best and they are cheaper than wilson and babolat.

 

[Kirko]

hey progman >>>>

A little off topic but I just bought a POS off of the 'bay and it has a Fairway leather grip on it - wow, very nice. I have always heard about them, can't wait to play with it

I think that racket was one my brother sold on **** he has used the POG for something like 16 yrs. and like me always uses fairway. did the racket come from st. louis?

 

[progman_2000]

I think that racket was one my brother sold on **** he has used the POG for something like 16 yrs. and like me always uses fairway. did the racket come from st. louis?

I think so, yeah - the racquet itself was one of the newer "straight shaft" POGs - nice racquet, I like the fairway leather, slimmer profile than the stock Prince grip. Tell your brother thanks

 

[WhiteSox05CA]

So if I'm going to use an overgrip anyways, what would you guys suggest? I like a pretty firm feel of the handle. I don't need durability or tackiness in that case.

What about a grip from ****? Aren't they similar or better than the discontinured Fairway grips??

 

[michaellashan]

I loved the Luxilon leather grips. Solid piece of work. Unfortunately, I sold the racquet that I was using it on and I cannot find them anymore.

The Babolat grips were ok, but my favorite of all time has to be the Fairway grips. So I have to say that I like Fairway first and then the Luxilon. Does anyone know where I can buy some Luxilon leather grips?

Thanks

:grin:

 

[barry]

Which one is the thicket? Yes i'm too lazy to look at the stickied posts.

Gamma is the thickest! Fairway was the best. I switched to Gamma and they are easy to install with the tacky glue strip.

I only have 8 Fairway grips left, and they are difficult to find. Good news is no mad cow!

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

Gamma is the thickest! Fairway was the best. I switched to Gamma and they are easy to install with the tacky glue strip.

I only have 8 Fairway grips left, and they are difficult to find. Good news is no mad cow!

Is Gamma thicker than Volkl?

 

[WhiteSox05CA]

What's the lowdown with the **** leather grips? I've been in contact with Roman because I was thinking about ordering one from them. I hear they are similar to the Fairway Grips (now discontinued).

Does anyone use a **** grip??

 

[Nextman916]

Maybe they use the skin from the @nus to make their leather hahaha

I'm using it on the O3HT i bought you combined with the sppp hextreme. Feeling the bevels on that frame makes a huge difference.

Thats the only part of the cow they dont use....so this is wher it goes :-o

 

[barry]

Is Gamma thicker than Volkl?

Yes, it is the thickest of all the leather grips.

 

[La Bomba]

Head Calfskins, I have 7 remaining, are simply the best, they have the most beautiful feel and are very thin, they are also very tacky. A lot better than Wilson.

 

[kerplunker]

where did u get it?

 

[d wayne]

Jdeloach,
Does the Vantage leather grip have adhesive tape on the back? I have used Babolat & Gamma leather but am interested in trying the Vantage grip, but want to make sure it has the adhesive backing.

 

[rasajadad]

Thats the only part of the cow they dont use....so this is wher it goes :-o

Well actually, McDonald's uses this part of the cow. It's called the Big Mac.

 

[progman_2000]

I just picked up a used Prince Spectrum Comp (I'm stuck in the 80s) off of the 'bay for $10. It came to me with a Neumann replacement grip on it - anyone ever see these? Looks exactly like a Fairway, says "Made in the USA" on it - very nice. That baby came off immediately and is now on one of my other sticks

 

[WhiteSox05CA]

Anyone know where I can get a Fairway? If not, I'll just get a Babolat or Volkl.

Is this the good Volkl? http://www.tennis express.com/mmTENNIS/Images/241558.jpg

or

http://www.golf smith.com/products/244468?PHPSESSID=903f48494213fbe84fb84b3d47ae05ff

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

Anyone know where I can get a Fairway? If not, I'll just get a Babolat or Volkl.

Is this the good Volkl? http://www.tennis express.com/mmTENNIS/Images/241558.jpg

or

http://www.golf smith.com/products/244468?PHPSESSID=903f48494213fbe84fb84b3d47ae05ff

Those are the same grip