Recreating Leather Bulldog grips

[oddball]

6 inch version

 

[Myron]

From 1924 Johnson A model parts book. 25 cents a piece.These are a little under 5” long.

 

[wes holliday]

I am interested in buying a pair of leather grips in black.

 

[catfish]

I could use a few pairs

 

[Myron]

I am interested in buying a pair of leather grips in black.

Message me and I’ll give you the details Thanks

 

[Myron]

I could use a few pairs

Send me a personal message and we can discuss details Thanks

 

[Walters_Alex]

I'm in need of a set of leather bulldog reproduction grips!

 

[Two Wheeler]

With the time left I have before I go back to teaching I would like to attempt to try to make leather bulldog grips for myself. Can anyone here on the CABE offer any insight ( or hindsight) if you made a pair; how you accomplished it? I can source most of the material with the exception of the wood handle core. I can get the brass ferrules from Lee Valley hardware, I have access to lots of leather scraps ( although, I've never sewn leather before) I just am not sure about the wood core. I was thinking of using the wood clamp ends of an old Jorgensen wood clamp that I have and then use a forstner bit to hollow out the core to fit on the handlebars. It's the closest thing I can find to the shape of these old bulldog grips - ( see attached image). I have a fair amount of woodworking ability and knowledge - just nothing in the arena of wood turning / lathe work. I know from reading descriptions in old catalogs that the leather was sewn inside out and a groove was cut into the wood core for the "seam" to be housed in so that when you grabbed the grip it was smooth to the touch ( more or less). I believe the leather was then "cemented" or glued on. Can anyone share any tips, ideas, sources for the material you used, descriptions, measurements, etc. that may help me. This will definitely be an experiment. Back in the day, these were indeed made by hand - more or less, with the exception of stamping out the ferrule and turning the wood core on a lathe. So i figure it's possible to try and attempt it! Seeing how long The CABE has been in existence on the web, I have yet to see a tutorial or procedure on making these kind of items. Anyway, any help you can give would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Rather than ruin a good clamp I’d check into buying wooden file handles. I’m not sure if they would work but you might get lucky.

 

[Myron]

I'm in need of a set of leather bulldog reproduction grips!

They are $120 a pair which includes shipping in continental US. I’ll take personal check or No fees PayPal. Thanks for your interest!

 

[wes holliday]

Hello Myron/
Do you have a sales page,or web site ?
Thank you.
Wes