Bow Health - Part 2 of 3 - Inspecting the Bow Grip.
Lizard Skins, Leather Grips, and Loose Windings.
As students get settled into the new school year and rental season dies down, now is a good time to take a good look at your bow and get any needed maintenance done. Give your bow a thorough examination from the tip to the frog using these guidelines to help you identify some common problems and make the best decision for you and your bow.
Check the winding and the grip.
The winding and the grip come in many different combinations and add weight to the bow and to protect the stick from your thumb and fingers. If a wire or thread winding is coming loose, it is important to have it taken care of sooner rather than later. This can be remedied by securely re-attaching the loose end, saving you from the much more costly repair of having to replace the entire winding. It is important to have windings reattached as soon as possible if they come loose. If they are loose and sliding up and down the stick, both the winding and your fingers can cause irreversible wear and damage to the stick of the bow.
The most common issues with grips are intense wear or small sections coming loose and starting to peel. If it is starting to peel, you can usually have it glued down to prevent it from spreading. It is best to have someone trained in bow repair to do it as any glue that touches the stick can cause trouble later. If the grip has peeled a lot, it is better to have it replaced. Most grips are made of animal leather, but plastic and lizard skin are both used as well. If you notice you are wearing through grips frequently, it could be that your sweat is interacting corrosively with the material and it may be worth investing in a lizard skin grip.
This is Part 2 of a three part series on inspecting your bow for repair issues. Stay tuned for more!