Tennis Leather Grips..Why?

[iamtennisking]

I am a tournament player who has never changed the replacement grip of a racquet but uses wilson pro overgrips. I am considering switching to leather grips as the replacement grips and then putting wilson pro overgrips on, but I dont understand what it does, and what the benefits are. Can someone please explain? I know that there is a thread called "Why Leather Grips" or something like that, but I didnt really get proper information from that thread because there was a confusion in the thread with the person not knowing the difference between an overgrip or replacement grip but whatever. Also, what is the best leather grip? Is Wilson good? What is the best Tennis Warehouse private label leather grip..they have like four different kinds:???:
Thanks.

 

[wao]

I am a tournament player who has never changed the replacement grip of a racquet but uses wilson pro overgrips. I am considering switching to leather grips as the replacement grips and then putting wilson pro overgrips on, but I dont understand what it does, and what the benefits are. Can someone please explain? I know that there is a thread called "Why Leather Grips" or something like that, but I didnt really get proper information from that thread because there was a confusion in the thread with the person not knowing the difference between an overgrip or replacement grip but whatever. Also, what is the best leather grip? Is Wilson good? What is the best Tennis Warehouse private label leather grip..they have like four different kinds:???:
Thanks.

In my opinion Fairway is the best out there. Try and search as there are treads out there. TW does not carry them anylonger but you can still get them.

 

[iamtennisking]

oh ok thanks..what about my other questions

 

[GS]

I felt I got more accuracy with a leather and an overgrip, but that combo tended to hurt my wrist. With a cushion-grip and an overgrip, I can play pretty much pain-free, since the cushion has some shock absorption. If you're putting an overgrip over a leather, all the leathers out there will feel pretty much the same, except for some variances in thickness.
For starters, just try leather and an over on one of your sticks, and check it out.

 

[theace21]

If you are going to use over wraps, I don't see any reason to change to a leather grip.

 

[iamtennisking]

gs and the ace21, i apreciate your help but i need someone who knows what they were talking about, especially ace 21, obviously there is a point of the leather grip even though you put an overgrip on, otherwise i dont think it would be sold..is there anyone that knows about the leather grips that can help me out?
Thanks.

 

[GS]

Well, like I said, I just felt I had alittle more accuracy with a leather combo. Since my Prince cushion-grips aren't that thick, I can still feel the bevels almost as well as with a leather.
Ah, but then there's also a slight weight difference....

 

[timeisonmyside]

I use a leather grip with Yonex Super Grap over it.

Leather grips allow you to feel the bevels in the handle more (i.e. they feel sharper). It feels less spongy than some of the synthetic ones. It will also add a little extra weight to the handle.

Overall, it's basically personal preference in terms of feel. Try one yourself and see if you like it. My favorite is the Volkl leather grip. Right weight and thickness. Also, the color doesn't bleed onto my white overgrips.

 

[TennezSport]

Leather???

Iamtennisking,

Please remember where leather grips came from. They were popular when the racquets were made with wood. The combination of wood and leather made for a very comfortable racquet. However, todays racquets are anything but wood, much stiffer and do not absorb shock very well. Thus was the need for a better material to add comfort to the racquets. Some manufacturers will match the synthetic handle type to the stiffness of the specific racquet.

It's all about feel. Some people like a very high level of feel in the racquet to tell how they have hit the ball (this can lead to TE, if your strokes and not on). Others like a more muted feel, to keep that vibration away from their arm. The leather grip will give you a firmer response and there are a number of synthetics out there that will responses from soft to dead.

You stated that you are using and overgrip on your racquets, so for you I think it's all about feel. Additionally, some pros actuall change the shape of the handle for more feel or comfort. Firm or soft, pick your poison, good luck.

TennezSport

 

[iamtennisking]

tennezsport, you are right, it is all about feel for me, so would this be a wise choice?
Also, i find tennis grips to be round, but when you add a leather grip i found it to be a bit more square.. are there any leather grips that will keep the grip round rather than more squared shape? Also, I want a thin leather grip, what is the thinnest leather grip?
Thanks.

 

[bsandy]

You just get this solid consistent feel, with leather grips. I used to use the Babolat leather, but have just recently switched to the TW 25mm x 1300mm x 1.5mm (Wide and Thick).

I like them better than the Babolat, and I can't imagine anything better (unless you're just into telling everybody you're using fairway).

. . . Bud

 

[iamtennisking]

i want it more round like a normal grip rather than a leather grip that makes the raquet seem more square-shaped..and i want it to be as thin as possible

 

[Ferrari1190]

I am a tournament player who has never changed the replacement grip of a racquet but uses wilson pro overgrips. I am considering switching to leather grips as the replacement grips and then putting wilson pro overgrips on, but I dont understand what it does, and what the benefits are. Can someone please explain? I know that there is a thread called "Why Leather Grips" or something like that, but I didnt really get proper information from that thread because there was a confusion in the thread with the person not knowing the difference between an overgrip or replacement grip but whatever. Also, what is the best leather grip? Is Wilson good? What is the best Tennis Warehouse private label leather grip..they have like four different kinds:???:
Thanks.

leather grips in general give you more feel, and the bevels are sharpers so it allows for accurate grip changes. it does however feel hard nd if u mis hit youll feel the effects more than u will if u had a syn grip. ive only used TW leather, i used the thinner and least wide one i think thats 1.3mm and 22mm. if u like a smaller grip feel and more pronounced bevel feel then go for that one. if u like the fuller feel then go for the thicker one. as far as width, unless you have an extra long racquet handle, the 22mm should be more than sufficient.

hope this helps

 

[cadfael_tex]

i want it more round like a normal grip rather than a leather grip that makes the raquet seem more square-shaped..and i want it to be as thin as possible

I'm exactly the opposite. Without the leather things just seem to round and I can't find the grip I want. That's why I finally decided I couldn't play Prince (among other reasons).

 

[[d]ragon]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=99726

 

[theace21]

gs and the ace21, i apreciate your help but i need someone who knows what they were talking about, especially ace 21, obviously there is a point of the leather grip even though you put an overgrip on, otherwise i dont think it would be sold..is there anyone that knows about the leather grips that can help me out?
Thanks.

I don't know anyone that uses a leather grip anymore. It used to be the only choice, now every company has their own replacement grips and over wraps. The do come in different thicknesses, you you want a more rounded feel. Even old school players have gone to the replacement grips or over wraps. The leather might be a little heavier, but seriously the average player is not going to notice an extra 1/2 ounce spread out over the lower part of the racket.

I still have a few leather grips collecting dust. Nobody ask for them - go to your favorite pro shop and ask them how many leather grips they have sold in the last month...

If you still must try - TW sells their own grip in different thicknesses.

 

[Klatu Verata Necktie]

In my opinion Fairway is the best out there.

I keep reading about Fairway grips being the best, but never about why they are the best. What makes Fairway grips more desirable than other brands? Do most Fairway users on this board use leather without an overgrip, or do they cover it with an overgrip?

 

[Pro Staff Pete]

A leather grip underneath an overgrip offers a great feeling - you're able to feel the edges of your grip which helps you using the right grip for the right swing.

At least it does for me

 

[TennezSport]

i want it more round like a normal grip rather than a leather grip that makes the raquet seem more square-shaped..and i want it to be as thin as possible

Problem here is you are asking for exact opposites. You say you want a more round grip, but that requires a thicker leather or synth grip to round off the bevels. However, you also say you want a thin grip, which will produce the square shaped grip you do not want.

A method to get around this is to have your handle custom fitted. However, once you do this there is no going back unless you have a racquet that supports interchangable pallets (handles). This is where you could have the edges of the handle shaved to dull the edges and then use a thin leather grip to give you the feel you desire. Again, this can be a costly proposition.

There are only a few leather grip makers left and they do not offer many selections. Fairway is one of the oldest and still uses alot of the methods to deliver that creamy soft lether grip. Hope this helps.

TennezSport

 

[Silent]

I use a leather grip for bevel definition and a tournagrip on top for sweat.

If theace21 can suggest something better for bevel definition, instead of saying leather sucks because.....it sucks, then I'm all ears.

 

[Kirko]

I am a tournament player who has never changed the replacement grip of a racquet but uses wilson pro overgrips. I am considering switching to leather grips as the replacement grips and then putting wilson pro overgrips on, but I dont understand what it does, and what the benefits are. Can someone please explain? I know that there is a thread called "Why Leather Grips" or something like that, but I didnt really get proper information from that thread because there was a confusion in the thread with the person not knowing the difference between an overgrip or replacement grip but whatever. Also, what is the best leather grip? Is Wilson good? What is the best Tennis Warehouse private label leather grip..they have like four different kinds:???:
Thanks.

I grew up using all leather and still with all the "experimenting with overgrips I go back to it and if I could only have the money I wasted on overgrips I could afford a "skid" of fairway grips. overgrips provide a "great feel" for only a brief moment compared to leather. the only real overgrip that is worth the money is gauze; you still have the feel of leather,but with a "traction-grip".