Leather grip making questions

[bcstones]

I emailed Tandy Leather over the weekend asking about appropriate thickness/weight for making grips. They put me onto a YouTube site "The Hickory Hacker", where leather & grips were featured (of course, he uses Tandy leather. Has anyone watched this site? Has anyone used Tandy leathers? 

Oh, it's made Dec '21, so there is approx 19 minutes of talk prior to actually getting down to the leathers

 

Here's the site: 

 

okay, just found out he now has his own website:  https://www.hickoryhacker.com. I'll check it out after I finish the grip video.

 

Edited October 2, 2023 by bcstones

[hollabachgt]

I use a modified version of Ralph Livingston's method for hickory grips. Its a good straightforward way of doing it.

 

Prior to making my own grips I made other leather goods, so I was very familiar with Tandy leather. More often than not they are going to be the best place for you to source your leather. I moved away from deer tan years ago, primarily because I prefer suede out grips and the suede on the deer tan was not what I was looking for. I've been using their Suede Split leather for the past 6ish years with little complaint.

[bcstones]

20 minutes ago, hollabachgt said:

I use a modified version of Ralph Livingston's method for hickory grips. Its a good straightforward way of doing it.

 

Prior to making my own grips I made other leather goods, so I was very familiar with Tandy leather. More often than not they are going to be the best place for you to source your leather. I moved away from deer tan years ago, primarily because I prefer suede out grips and the suede on the deer tan was not what I was looking for. I've been using their Suede Split leather for the past 6ish years with little complaint.

Thaks...great site. 
I also have been working w/leathers for a few decades (less in the past few years tho)...I did find it interesting that the Hacker dude tended to use the deer hide for putters. Actually was wondering if sharkskin would be usable for grips...someday I might try

[cold_war_era_golfer]

I call Christian "the Hickory Hacker" a friend whom I've met IRL, bought clubs from, and golfed with.  

He knows what he's doing.  I would trust his information.

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

Here's question I've got and never been able to resolve.

 

How do you impregnate leather with the tackiness you used to get on old style leather wraps as standard, eg Kinghorn Tacky Grips from the 1920s/30s.

Clearly there was a process but it appears to have been lost in the mists of time.

[bcstones]

3 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

Here's question I've got and never been able to resolve.

 

How do you impregnate leather with the tackiness you used to get on old style leather wraps as standard, eg Kinghorn Tacky Grips from the 1920s/30s.

Clearly there was a process but it appears to have been lost in the mists of time.

not sure, but could it be simply that the shiny side was placed against the shaft?

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

1 hour ago, bcstones said:

not sure, but could it be simply that the shiny side was placed against the shaft?

No, I'm afaid that's not correct, at least as far as the multiple makers of original tacky grips were concerned. Best not to confuse tacky with rough side, different animals !

[bcstones]

12 minutes ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

No, I'm afaid that's not correct, at least as far as the multiple makers of original tacky grips were concerned. Best not to confuse tacky with rough side, different animals !

ok, no problem....could you explain what is meant by "original tacky grips"?

[AdamMH]

1 hour ago, bcstones said:

ok, no problem....could you explain what is meant by "original tacky grips"?

I don't know any of the leather grip makers of the past like Aspidistra likely does, but a more recent example might be Neumann with their "Tackified" treatment for leather used in grips and gloves.
 

[NRJyzr]

On 10/6/2023 at 4:17 AM, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

Here's question I've got and never been able to resolve.

 

How do you impregnate leather with the tackiness you used to get on old style leather wraps as standard, eg Kinghorn Tacky Grips from the 1920s/30s.

Clearly there was a process but it appears to have been lost in the mists of time.

 

There are two companies (maybe more) that are doing that now.  GripMaster in Australia, and Best Grips in USA.

 

[bcstones]

On 10/6/2023 at 8:14 AM, bcstones said:

How do you impregnate leather with the tackiness you used to get on old style leather wraps as standard, eg Kinghorn Tacky Grips from the 1920s/30s.

I contacted Tandy Leather again, using the quote above, & will let you know if they reply...

[AdamMH]

Two things: The finished texture of the raw leather and the type matter.
I'm on my second DIY sewn grip, the first one was done with a sample of 4oz thick calfskin. Using just heavy applications of leather conditioner I was able to get it to be quite tacky without being sticky. The second one is a putter grip done with a utility hide - it's not particularly tacky, but the surface isn't super smooth the way the calfskin sample I got was.

Tandy is liable to tell you the same thing, over-conditioned leather is tacky. Still, let us know what they reply...

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

What you say is correct and reflects pretty much what I have found over the last 20 years or so. I used a proprietory wax and oil concoction for many years, worked ok but smelled horrible. I also made my own replacement leather inserts for pre 1895 scarenecks, but that's another story.

 

But 'Tacky' grips are a thing, and involve a special preparation, maybe pine resin or something. 100 years ago grip companies were competing to make the best tacky grip. 'The Kinghorn Tacky Grip', 'Balmforths Tacky Grip', were embossed on every grip....I kept a couple but I can't find them, only a 'Kinghorn Accraplus', maybe a plethora of house moves have done for them

[AdamMH]

6 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

What you say is correct and reflects pretty much what I have found over the last 20 years or so. I used a proprietory wax and oil concoction for many years, worked ok but smelled horrible. I also made my own replacement leather inserts for pre 1895 scarenecks, but that's another story.

 

But 'Tacky' grips are a thing, and involve a special preparation, maybe pine resin or something. 100 years ago grip companies were competing to make the best tacky grip. 'The Kinghorn Tacky Grip', 'Balmforths Tacky Grip', were embossed on every grip....I kept a couple but I can't find them, only a 'Kinghorn Accraplus', maybe a plethora of house moves have done for them

 

Side note, EB Balmforth appear to making Fairway grips again. They have an eBay store.

Edited October 9, 2023 by AdamMH

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

5 hours ago, AdamMH said:

 

Side note, EB Balmforth appear to making Fairway grips again. They have an eBay store.

Thank you, I didn't know that. When I was running hickory events and trading playable hickories I got my grips from Balmforths at their Victorian and Dickensian premises in Leeds. They closed down having sold the site for redevelopment some time in the late '90's. I went a couple of times to Mark's house in North Yorkshire to pick up some supplies but then he retired completely.

[bcstones]

Just heard fro Tandy:

 

”Thank you for reaching back out to us. It looks like there are a few options to get the tacky grip on your clubs. One being the purchase of Golf Tac grip enhancer which is made for this purpose. Another way that I saw was using a hair spray, however in having dealt with hair spray this seems like my least favorable option as I feel like it would easily wear off. For an old-fashioned alternative would be to put a couple drops of castor oil on the leather, rub it in, let it sit over night. Now you've got a nice, tacky old-school leather grip.

With all of this if you are adding something to leather make sure you spot test before using it all over. “

 

Castor Oil! Bad memories from long past 😂

[AdamMH]

5 hours ago, bcstones said:

Just heard fro Tandy:

 

”Thank you for reaching back out to us. It looks like there are a few options to get the tacky grip on your clubs. One being the purchase of Golf Tac grip enhancer which is made for this purpose. Another way that I saw was using a hair spray, however in having dealt with hair spray this seems like my least favorable option as I feel like it would easily wear off. For an old-fashioned alternative would be to put a couple drops of castor oil on the leather, rub it in, let it sit over night. Now you've got a nice, tacky old-school leather grip.

 

With all of this if you are adding something to leather make sure you spot test before using it all over. “

 

Castor Oil! Bad memories from long past 😂

 

 

This makes sense! Many leather conditions have castor oil as part of their ingredients. I may have to see if I can find a bottle.

[bcstones]

5 hours ago, bcstones said:

Golf Tac grip enhancer

I checked this out...it's some kind of spray can that's available from Dick's & their Golf Galaxy stores...sure is not what was used in the '20s & '30s though 🥸

 

seems that Castor Oil is available....even "cold pressed & organic" 😂

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

11 hours ago, bcstones said:

I checked this out...it's some kind of spray can that's available from Dick's & their Golf Galaxy stores...sure is not what was used in the '20s & '30s though 🥸

 

seems that Castor Oil is available....even "cold pressed & organic" 😂

It is available. In larger quantities it is used to make Ricin.

[nitram]

19 hours ago, bcstones said:

Castor Oil! Bad memories from long past 😂

Yeah, me too.

[bcstones]

2 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

It is available. In larger quantities it is used to make Ricin.

actually it doesn't take a large amount....one castor bean is enough to kill a few people. It's a nasty thing, don't know why people grow it. Tho I did find a reference that someone tried to use it as a shield to keep deer out of the garden - the deer ate the leaves, left the pods & went on into the garden😂