Leather Grips

[kabob]

Well, I can tell you for sure that the Wilson replacement leather grips are thicker than the factory originals that come with the nCode and Pro Staff Tour 90s. I bought PS Tour 90s with synthetic grips off of eGhey and when I replaced them with leather, I noticed a difference between it and the original leather with my nCode 90.

 

[Flexxed]

I'll share my experiences with different grips since its very different from other posters. I've tried wilson, luxilon, babolat, prince, and gamma.

For me, the thickest was the gamma leather grip and the thinnest were the babolat and wilson grips. The luxilon and prince grips were very close to the babolat and wilson in thickness. The luxilon and gamma grips were the tackiest for me and also the only ones that didn't bleed. The babolat was the least tacky. I liked the babolat and luxilon because they were the only ones that I could make a nice smooth grip with (like NoBadMojo explains about the Volkl leather) and not feel contours. My favorite overall was the luxilon because it was thin and tacky. It felt good with or without an overgrip.

 

[ondray]

**** leather grips are excellent too.

 

[Duzza]

I have a Volkl leather sitting at home now...contemplating replacing the crappy synthetic of the used Prostaff I bought...

 

[OnyxZ28]

I'm a huge fan of the Head Calfskins that they used to put on the PC600s and Classic Mids. They were very thin, and had excellent feel. The newer batch of Calfksins from the new PC600s are much thicker, and I'm not a fan of the grooved wrapping they use on this batch.

 

[Ronaldo]

El Diablo, get a grip, preferably leather

 

[Steve Huff]

Larry, I'm surprised the Gamma leather weighed that much trimmed. A guy brought me a Dunlop MF 200 with a Gamma leather grip on it and it was really cheap feeling. I took it off and cleaned it for him. Still wasn't tacky, and felt thin. Back when ALL grips were leather, this one was the one that came on KMart rackets.

 

[Keifers]

Larry, I'm surprised the Gamma leather weighed that much trimmed. A guy brought me a Dunlop MF 200 with a Gamma leather grip on it and it was really cheap feeling. I took it off and cleaned it for him. Still wasn't tacky, and felt thin. Back when ALL grips were leather, this one was the one that came on KMart rackets.

Steve,
I'm very interested to know how you clean old leather grips and restore their tackiness. Would you mind sharing?

Thanks!

 

[Steve Huff]

You can use soap and water I've heard. I used leather cleaner. When I'm not wearing tennis shoes, I wear boots. I use leather cleaner and leather conditioner to keep them subtle and looking nice.

 

[PrestigeClassic]

I'm a huge fan of the Head Calfskins that they used to put on the PC600s and Classic Mids. They were very thin, and had excellent feel. The newer batch of Calfksins from the new PC600s are much thicker, and I'm not a fan of the grooved wrapping they use on this batch.

I haven't seen any of the latest batch of PC600's, but ever since the first Prestige Pro frames, Head has always wrapped the leather grips with such large grooves. Perhaps, Head made the latest grips thicker so they wouldn't anymore rip in half while wrapping...hah!

 

[psp2]

Steve,
I'm very interested to know how you clean old leather grips and restore their tackiness. Would you mind sharing?

Thanks!

Whatever you use, I highly suggest you don't use anything that is alkaline based (like some saddle soap). Alkali will break down the protein in leather and is not good for grips. I use Coach leather cleaner and works wonders for old dried out leather. I have resurrected many Fairways back to a nice and rich supple condition with the above cleaner and a good leather moisturizer.

 

[Keifers]

You can use soap and water I've heard. I used leather cleaner. When I'm not wearing tennis shoes, I wear boots. I use leather cleaner and leather conditioner to keep them subtle and looking nice.

Many thanks, Steve.

Whatever you use, I highly suggest you don't use anything that is alkaline based (like some saddle soap). Alkali will break down the protein in leather and is not good for grips. I use Coach leather cleaner and works wonders for old dried out leather. I have resurrected many Fairways back to a nice and rich supple condition with the above cleaner and a good leather moisturizer.

Thanks to you, too, psp2. Is the leather moisturizer you use also made by Coach?

 

[headhunter]

I just bought and installed leather grips on my Ncode 6-1 95's yesterday. They are amazing. Much more feel than the synthetic grips. I am very pleased. It also feels much better with an overgrip too. For those of you who are thinking about going leather. Do it. I love it.

I am thinking about going leather but i can't get it somewhere near my place...u know i'm from remote part of Borneo please help, anybody

 

[kenshireen]

Cleaning Leather Grips and My Fairways

Ok.. I have 3 fairways left.. But since I have harassed you guys enough let me tell you the best method to restore any quality leather grip.
Take a rag (do this outdoors) and dip in in MINERAL SPIRITS. Rub the grip thoroughly following the wrap around. This removes grime, dirt etc,

Leave the racket in a well ventiliated area until grip is dry. This should take less than one hour. Grip will be lightened

Take some castor oil and put in your hand.. grab the racket and thoroghly rub it into the grip. Take a clean cotton cloth and rub off the excess.
Let the racket sit for 24 hours.

Next day you should have a great feeling grip.

Now let me emphasize that this will only work with a quality leather grip.
The oil must permeate through the pores

Ken

 

[psp2]

Thanks to you, too, psp2. Is the leather moisturizer you use also made by Coach?

Yes. I do use the Coach conditioner. I've ran low on the stuff and bought some Lexol brand leather conditioner, and it works VERY well too.

As far as applying actual oils, I've used PURE neatsfoot oil in small amounts. Make sure you use the pure ones and not a "Neatsfoot compound" because it contains a mixture of neatsfoot oil and synthetic oils. Pure neatsfoot oil is made from animal fats and is considered the BEST way to replenish the natural oil in dried out leather.

 

[dirkgnuf]

Are the vantage replacement leather grips any good?

 

[Rafa's best friend]

Leather grips are great for getting that perfect feel, that is why 90% of the pros use it, but there is no vibration dampning so it can hurt your hand and arm. Also it will add more weight to the handle, making your racket more head-light which most people want anyway.