Reduce grip size

[markgoldin]

I am getting a new racquet (Prokennix Type S). It is 4 5/8, but the seller is saying that it feels more like 4 1/2 which is my normal grip. Will I be able to reduce the size a bit without screwing up the stick?

Thanks

 

[pNoyr3D]

I had the same problem, except it didn't feel like 4 1/2 which I am also. I bought a 4 5/8 stick from a seller here on TW and there was a significant difference in the size. It took me a while to figure out what to do. I was thinking of sanding it down but, never really thought of how big the grip would be if I took off the replacement grip. When I took off the replacement grip, I was really surprised that the size of the grip lessened, to around 4 1/2. I just put 2 overgrips on my stick and it feels great, doesn't feel as good as with a replacement grip but, it feels great.

 

[Braithy]

I am a carpenter and I want to take one of my Babolats down from a 4 1/2 to a 4 3/8, but I want the exact dimensions before I start chopping.

 

[stapletonj]

Braith - a micrometer is probably your best bet. Prince resi thin grips, at about $5 are also a good option.

 

[Braithy]

Braith - a micrometer is probably your best bet. Prince resi thin grips, at about $5 are also a good option.

Yes. I use a dial calliper, I am looking to get the handle just right and then just put the Babolat grip on it I haven’t been using overgrips. I don’t need the stickiness that lot’ of people like.

 

[jm1980]

I am a carpenter and I want to take one of my Babolats down from a 4 1/2 to a 4 3/8, but I want the exact dimensions before I start chopping.

There usually is some small variance between different brands and even different racquets within the same brand.

There is a thread with some user-contributed measurements of the bare grips (L3 = 4 3/8, L4 = 4 1/2). Specifically, Babolats seem to measure:

Great idea; let's put some numbers up. Here's what I have, collected over the years:

Babolat (averaged over quite a few racquets- PC/PS/PD of different model years):
#2 - 31.3 x 27.40 mm
#3 - 32.3 x 28.30 mm
#4 - 33.5 x 29.20 mm
note: Babolat pallets seem to stay true to size and consistent between different models and model years

How exactly do you plan on doing this? Do you have a milling machine?
I tried doing this by hand once, and it didn't come out great. But I'm not a carpenter so YMMV

 

[esgee48]

Tourna makes replacement grips in 1.25 and 1.5mm thickness. I would try those before doing anything else.

 

[stapletonj]

There usually is some small variance between different brands and even different racquets within the same brand.

There is a thread with some user-contributed measurements of the bare grips (L3 = 4 3/8, L4 = 4 1/2). Specifically, Babolats seem to measure:



How exactly do you plan on doing this? Do you have a milling machine?
I tried doing this by hand once, and it didn't come out great. But I'm not a carpenter so YMMV

same here.

 

[treo]

I like 4" grips and many times I have reduced down 4 3/8 grips by using Goodwill racquets and cutting off the handle to make a octagon tube to fit over the shaved down handle. I have even used squash racquets that are smaller than 4".

 

[happyandbob]

I had the same problem, except it didn't feel like 4 1/2 which I am also. I bought a 4 5/8 stick from a seller here on TW and there was a significant difference in the size. It took me a while to figure out what to do. I was thinking of sanding it down but, never really thought of how big the grip would be if I took off the replacement grip. When I took off the replacement grip, I was really surprised that the size of the grip lessened, to around 4 1/2. I just put 2 overgrips on my stick and it feels great, doesn't feel as good as with a replacement grip but, it feels great.

A friend got tennis elbow from doing this. He normally uses a 4-3/8 but found a 4-1/2 for almost free. He played with two overgrips to get it to the right size but it made the racquet vibrations much harsher. Just be careful.

 

[Braithy]

There usually is some small variance between different brands and even different racquets within the same brand.

There is a thread with some user-contributed measurements of the bare grips (L3 = 4 3/8, L4 = 4 1/2). Specifically, Babolats seem to measure:



How exactly do you plan on doing this? Do you have a milling machine?
I tried doing this by hand once, and it didn't come out great. But I'm not a carpenter so YMMV

I am the milling machine. I will use a block plane and sandpaper glued to plywood Like a font emery board?

 

[jm1980]

I am the milling machine. I will use a block plane and sandpaper glued to plywood Like a font emery board?

That probably will work better than what I did.

I just tried to sand it down with a sanding block. The problem with that idea was that I struggled to keep even pressure on the block. I also sort of lost track of how much I had sanded down on each side.

 

[Braithy]

I am the milling machine. I will use a block plane and sandpaper glued to plywood Like a font emery board?

That probably will work better than what I did.

I just tried to sand it down with a sanding block. The problem with that idea was that I struggled to keep even pressure on the block. I also sort of lost track of how much I had sanded down on each side.

If I knew how to post photos, I could show the process. It may be good. It may be ordinary, but it will smaller. My main aim will be to keep the edges of the bevels sharp.

 

[fritzhimself]

I have done this many times.
Here are a few photos of a project I did for a nice forum colleague.
He wanted to downsize from a 4 handle to a 2 1/2 handle.
It is important that you sand every surface exactly flat. The end cap should remain on top.
That's why I made the step with polyester putty.

Yonex-4 hosted at ImgBB

Image Yonex-4 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

Yonex-2-5 hosted at ImgBB

Image Yonex-2-5 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

Yonex-2-5-1 hosted at ImgBB

Image Yonex-2-5-1 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[fritzhimself]

Here are some other measurements of handles that I have sketched.

Babolat-measurments hosted at ImgBB

Image Babolat-measurments hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

Gripsize-L3 hosted at ImgBB

Image Gripsize-L3 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[Braithy]

Thanks. That was very helpful. I did al the cutting with my small, sharp block plane. It looks pretty good. Was much easier with the target dimensions.

 

[Braithy]

Thanks. That was very helpful. I did al the cutting with my small, sharp block plane. It looks pretty good. Was much easier with the target dimensions.

One question: Why did the handle have “sticky tape” on it? Should I replace it before I reinstall the grip? Thanks.

 

[am1899]

One question: Why did the handle have “sticky tape” on it? Should I replace it before I reinstall the grip? Thanks.

Likely double sided tape - one end sticks to the handle the other end sticks to the base grip. Not completely necessary if your base grip has a fairly sticky backing. If you’re putting a leather base grip on, depending on the brand, you might have more of a need for the double sided tape.

 

[fritzhimself]

If you remove the old grip tape to reduce the size of the grip, I would also fit a new grip tape first.
If the old grip tape still looks good, I would fit this ultra-thin double-sided adhesive tape to the back of the old grip tape.

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BR9Y4SBN/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?pf_rd_p=6ffc9ff7-fa31-49da-8594-196e74bcf61e&pf_rd_r=KNMB5P22W3PEDS3ZNAVQ&pd_rd_wg=pIeHd&pd_rd_w=8SgSW&content-id=amzn1.sym.6ffc9ff7-fa31-49da-8594-196e74bcf61e&pd_rd_r=2c282838-92a2-4b69-8e8b-85c0b7eab3bf&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1