Why use a leather grip? And why not?

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[@alexdawson2749]

Its only one handed backhand players who expose the leather grip at the top cos they dont need the overgrip there. They just wrap the overgrip closer together to make it thicker and it doesn't make it all the way to the top. Its the one handed backhand gang sign 😂

[@b.lakeberg7456]

I enjoy using a leather grip for added weight, more feel, and the solid base it provides. Synthetic grips are too mushy and do not provide the solid feel that I like. I also use a thin over grip for increased tack and sweat absorption.

[@z1az285]

I love my volkl/Becker leather grips. They are heavy (32 grams) but I love the feel and the HL balance afterwards.

[@oliverdesouza5741]

Wilson Pro Overgrip Sensation is quite a useful grip being just 0.4mm, means it's a little more than half a grip thickness if you're in-between sizes. Also, most stock grips from the factory are slightly thinner than the replacement versions you may buy later. Probably because a machine wraps them a lot better than a human can; about 0.2mm difference there too. Becomes noticeable when you play regularly.

[@jerome_morrow]

Aren’t the base grips at the factory wrapped by hand, but machine-assisted with the racquet mounted on a spindle? Agree that they’re generally stretched under greater tension during wrapping, leading to a thinner feel.

[@oliverdesouza5741]

@@jerome_morrow Correct. Implied.

[@jerome_morrow]

@@oliverdesouza5741 I like to think I do a pretty decent hand wrap when replacing my basegrips though. Well enough to satisfy my OCD at any rate! 😅 Some of my friends won’t attempt replacing their basegrips out of anxieties over hashing it up.

[@oliverdesouza5741]

@@jerome_morrow Yeah I know, an unnatural level of satisfaction from doing something so simple properly!

[@WestCoastAce27]

Good info. Anyone remember gauze? Used that on top of a leather grip as a kid in the hot humid area I grew up in. Worked great for keeping my hand dry but would bunch up and didn’t last very long.

[@hybrid11theory75]

I only like leather when using a very soft/arm friendly string in the mains, multi/natural gut. This has enough comfort so a leather grip doesn't have to absorb much vibrations anymore. If you're playing full poly I wouldn't use leather since polys are already on the stiffer side and in combination with leather u will feel maximum vibration through your arm/shoulder/elbow... these days most synthetic grips offer enough feel, u can alway use a thinner overgrip or wrap it tighter to get more pronounced grip..

[@tonystredwick1]

I've been struggling for consistency on my one hand backhand and I think some of that is an inability to find the correct backhand grip, particularly when I am under pressure. To try and feel the bevels more clearly I have removed the original synthetic grip and now play with just an overgrip on the plastic handle. I only removed the original grip a few days ago but already I feel that I have better and more consistent contact with the bevel I am looking for. I haven't found the less padded grip to be any problem with comfort. Keeping my fingers crossed the removal of that original grip helps improves my consistency on the backhand side!

[@jakubjabonski9341]

I've recently started using leather grip with an overgrip and added 2 grams of lead tape at 12 to my Prince Textreme 100P and it improved the racket in every aspect.

[@jakubjabonski9341]

@Anand head leather grip

[@tophersuwita]

Do you get heavier balls as result?

[@bugraguner]

For those who is trying to decrease their grip size, you can use Wilson feather thin replacement grip. So it provides almost 1 size.

[@youngsuit]

ive never seen that. thanks!

[@movdqa]

I use leather because I've been using it since the 1970s and I don't like to change things. Leather also molds to your hand over time which might be a good thing or a bad thing because it also compresses somewhat. I use a Wilson Pro Overgrip over Head's Finest Calfskin. Grips are incredibly important which you learn when things aren't working. I also buy 50 or 100 packs of overgrips - I don't like running out of them in my bag.

[@gilmillan1909]

I suffer from elbow and wrist problems so I prefer to use the Wilson Grip Wilson Shock Shield to add weight in the handle, modifying the balance of the racket (more head light) and help mitigate vibrations. After this I use a Yonex Super Grap overgrip. I am very pleased so far

[@40rods]

+1 to shock shield + Super Grap, that's my current combo as well! I also like Wilson Pro + TF Pro Contact, but any of these 3 do the job well with that grip.

[@ryanchow7601]

I would have also mentioned Yonex grips are significantly longer and therefore if you wrap it to the top for a one handy, visually it looks off. Traditional Wilson and traditional Head have shorter pallets

[@Fred_P]

Djokovic has an overgrip without overlap _under_ the other one, not on top of it. Gasquet only puts half an overgrip on because he's replacing it on every change over, so it goes quicker that way. The flare on his grip is not made out of overgrips, it's underneath the leather grip (or made out of more leather grip wrapped several times around).

[@jerome_morrow]

Thank you, completely correct! Jonas getting a bit confused with his facts in the video! 😁

[@rubenforlagetrhodos1987]

I use a RF97 size2 with a leather grip - No overgrip - use johnssons babypowder on the grip at at side shift - No blister - like the "directt" feel - i have plastecine in the grip so total weight is 374 grammes

[@Maiqel]

Yes that bit about the overlap sounded weird. Sometimes when you put little overlap, the edges come out of place while playing, I imagine with no overlap it would get pretty uncomfortable. About Gasquet's grip flare, I read somewhere it's actually a custom buttcap. Don't know his racket specs but if that was made of leather wraps it would be a good amount of weight i guess.

[@morganplummer3786]

Hi Jonas! Have you got any recommendations for some synthetic base grips that feels close to leather? I like to have a firm feel but don’t want to add too much weight. Thanks! Take care

[@igorzaborskyi4808]

Thanks for the video! Can we talk about different accessories that exist for tennis? I mean in the next videos:)

[@RobBlanzy]

I experimented with leather grips with an overgrip and never enjoyed the feel. Now I use the factory grip with my T40s and Tflights with 1 babolat overgrip. The base grip is a 3 and the extra seems to work well, nothing too thick with an overgrip. I am not sure how I never noticed the crazy butt cap on Gasquets racquet?? That beast must add quite a few grams of weight?

[@nathanielsnyder7396]

of course, wawrinka and gasquet use one-handed backhands-to great effect- so they don’t need to wrap any further up the handle, using the extra overgrip to help absorb more sweat. in fact, you’ll notice gasquet changes his overgrip on almost, if not every changeover

[@martinlee8907]

I occasionally play with graphite rackets from the early/mid 80`s & later- and the odd woodie with leather grips. I just treat them sporadically with Dubbin (a waxy/oily) conditioner which keeps the grip waterproof and softens it slightly. With sweaty hands in the summer just use some liquid chalk l(ike gymnasts/weightlifters etc do) to keep a good grip on the racket. Not a problem but it initially feels a little odd after being used to synthetic softer grips.

[@TheTamrielDrunkard]

I'm pretty sure I saw something where Gasquet or one of those half way grip guys said he only grips half way up because he doesn't use the top part of the grip. Just tear off the rest when you're half way up if you have one hand backhand since there's no need to go all the way up.

[@TimTheMusicMan]

Interesting grip tips.

[@raphaelkarpeles7447]

Great topic. I am using my ProKennex Black Ace Pro with the pre applied basic grip, around that one layer of MSV CyberWet over grip with a folded layer on the bottom. Maybe in the future I am going to try out a leather basic grip instead of the pre applied one.

[@realwinnertoughguy]

Thanks for the note. How do you like your Black Ace?

[@raphaelkarpeles7447]

I switched from a Head Radical (the Graphene XT version from 2015 I think) because I wanted something new and it is really great for me. Comfortable on the arm even with polyester strings, perfect amount of power for me and really precise if you hit correctly. It has a heavy swingweight, you need good footwork to benefit from the power and precision of the racket and it needs some time to get used to it but then it really is an awesome racket.

[@paulsteezo1772]

Back in the day....Butch Walts had the hockey stick knob at the base of his racquet!!!

[@40rods]

I gave it a shot on my TFight last month - undoubtedly found a better grip with it in terms of finding the bevels easier, but the lack of comfort (especially from the string vibrations) is prominent. I tried TW's private label grip, maybe some of the more premium options feel a little better? Switched back to a synthetic TF base grip and prefer it most in aspects.

[@seansullivan5037]

Different Leather Grip brands have slightly different properties. The TW ones tend to be a touch thinner and harder - which can be good if you're looking to have the feel of the bevels. Head Leather Grips are thicker, but still hard - good bevel feel, won't break in much, but tough on the hand. The Fairway ones tend to be both thicker and softer - so they start off a bit bigger than the natural grip size, but once they break in, they compact to the right size while giving great bevel feel and are a little less rough on the hands. Out of the bunch I've tried, the Fairways are my favorite (when they are available)

[@georgebred]

Genuinely, your hands get used to the leather after about a week or two, then you realise how much more feel off of the racket you are getting, and that bevel action! OOoffttt! I would stick with it for a bit, us tennis players are sensitive and will experiment to no end but if it doesn't feel right straight away we abandon, leather is for sure worth being patient with. Jus my two cents

[@time410s]

Nice. I just made my own video about grip customization and I focus on a method I use that I never see talked about. That's funny yours came out one day later. Say hi on my channel! I've been a leather guy for a long time but might consider synthetic leather again.

[@deemahdee]

Recommendations for synthetic grips?? I love my leather but a bit slippery

[@DrCaits]

I felt drawn to leather - but have only found one that was put on my racket. (I didn't like the colour - brown with a yellow racket) - and wondered if in the old days there would have been little holes in the leather to 'breathe'?

[@joselitoaquino3207]

I am using a 4 3/8 grip.. leather grip and two artengo absorbent grip

[@MrBolaextra]

One question, do you think that a leather grip can contribute to tennis elbow or golfers elbow due to higher vibtrations transmited to the arm, in comparison to a synthetic grip? Or it doesn't make any difference? Obviously I'm talking about using leather grip with an overgrip.

[@johnxu4941]

Leather grip and wilson pro over grip. I am really a feel based. I buy multiple leather with the width and thickness and also measures the weight of the leather to get it as consistent as possible between all three of rackets. Especially I play with one handed backhand, use the ProStaff butt cap on my Blades, so the feel very important for me. I like know exactly where my hand is at so I am confident in my shot

[@kennypunsu9713]

Hi, how do you find the Pro Staff button cap better than Blades? What’s the difference?

[@johnxu4941]

Most Wilson rackets these days use more modern-style butt caps now. Only RF 97 still has the old ProStaff butt cap. The new butt cap is more round while the old ProStaff butt cap is more edged. @@kennypunsu9713

[@benjaminlim1997]

What are the differences between the Wilson blade and clash grips? Thanks

[@stepness1245]

From my own experience, one other perk is that the overgrip does not come into contact with your wet clothes on your follow through. It tends to stay way drier that way, and if you’re using only one hand on your racket, you really don’t need to wrap the grip all the way up the shaft. It blew my mind when I realised that I could get 2 rackets done with one overgrip. That’s amazing too.

[@solyomandras]

I used leather grip about 10 years ago on my Head Liquidmetal Instinct Tour XL. A few days ago I decided to go for one on my Yonex Ezone 100 (300 g, 2020 model). I went for the Tecnifibre leather grip, because it is very light and only moderately influences the balance, static weight, and sw of the racket. I am quite curious how it plays.

[@conraywest]

Sweet racquet!

[@brucezidane]

I recently became a huge fan of Yonex tennis racquets and leather grips. But I’m having a hard time finding the grip size with this set up. Does anyone knows if Yonex grips are bigger, and if a leather grip increases or decreases also the size? Thanks a lot.

[@mongarcia01]

Woo woo K90!

[@allainangcao28]

Gasquet's door knob overgrip is probably meant to keep his grip on the racquet when he does a one-handed backhand. I have a hunch that he used to yeet his racquet into the stratosphere when he uses a one-handed backhand.

[@fsilber330]

The leather grip does tend to cause blisters. Jack Kramer had blister problems until he got advice from Don Budge who told him that the idea of leather grips was to imitate golf clubs and charge more, and that it was much better to just buy a larger grip size and remove the leather grip so you're you're holding on to bare wood. Forty-four years ago I tried that -- and Kramer was right, the bare wood _was_ kinder to my hands. And the grip wasn't slippery, either. Sadly, rackets with wooden handles just aren't available anymore these days.

[@user-tj6im8kn9l]

Doesn't Gasquet only wrap it halfway because he plays with a single-handed backhand and therefore doesn't use the top half of the handle? I also think it saves a bit of time as he frequently changes it during a match.

[@bomberoflamenco]

thanks! head has 3 different shapes?

[@thomasr2469]

I've been playing leather grip for a very long time. The only reason was sweat in the hand which could make the grip very poor in hot conditions. For people struggling with that, raw leather grip is amazing 👌

[@benjackson9980]

I also burned through over grips much more quickly with a leather grip. Sometimes I would wear a hole through the over grip after just 20 practice serves

[@40rods]

This is a good point I forgot to mention when trying a leather grip. Particularly trying to use something like Wilson Sensation, a leather grip ripped through it WAY faster than a synth grip.

[@benjackson9980]

Yeah and the callouses you develop on hands from leather grip act like sand paper on the og

[@jefferytorrisi]

Yevgeny Kafelnikov also did the odd grip at the bottom

[@thomaschippendale5503]

I don’t buy leather products, can anyone recommend a synthetic alternative that serves a similar purpose? (added weight, maybe feel) thanks!

[@mysticvetenks]

I just bought a RF97 and have no idea what the base grip is - leather or something else? Historically, i would just take off the base grip off my brand new racket and put in a new replacement grip but i am startjng tk thjink weather i should be using the base grip or put an over grip instead. I would be interested to know what Wilson pro staff base grip material

[@elkabras]

Leather grip to head light balance the lead tape in the head and a minimal Gasquet "pifostio" 🤣🤣is a must have for my Hotmelt 300G's

[@4th3birdz]

I thought Gasquet had that big flare at the end because he holds the racquet so far down, with his pinky hanging off. And you think he plays with a continental grip? But he generates so much spin and shape. Wouldn't that require a semi-western, or more extreme grip?

[@dustyroot4708]

No, his forehand is a pretty weak eastern grip. He really exaggerates trying to come around the outside of the ball. It’s the side that gets picked on, and it’s not a technique you would want to copy. He definitely gets more leverage with the flare.

[@lucasoscar]

i have small hands and dont sweat so only a base leather grip is amazing for me

[@jiggidy14]

Exposure of leather is because the overlapping for Stan is much more than most so when it gets to the end, there’s not enough to wrap all the way.

[@bradbixel9816]

I am sticking to my Dunlop CX 200 plus (wish these were easier to find! I only have one and my back-ups right now are the regular length model and a Prestige Tour) with a Prince calfskin leather grip, Tournagrip or Yonex Supergrap overgip. 343g stung w/Solinco Confidential @ 48lbs. It's the longest I've stuck to one racket/string set-up for quite some time. Maybe ever. Now what to do with the two dozen sticks in the garage? eBay here I come LOL!

[@dustyroot4708]

What grip size? I have two for sale brand new #4 grip.

[@tommyd7371]

Great racket. Best I've used. I stocked up on them when I saw they were selling it, and bought some extra grommets...

[@bradbixel9816]

@@dustyroot4708 I use #3 grip

[@chewkenghong]

Badminton legend Lin Dan also wrap only half of his racket. for him, it ensures that he is always holding the lower part of the grip for more power. this ensured he only have 1 possible position to hold the racket, at the lowest part of the grip. those tennis pros doing this might be doing the same.

[@otogigamer]

They put it half way cause they suck at wrapping especially Gasquet with those tourna grips they never reach the top

[@jameshaldeman9181]

I use just a leather grip. Overgrips just feel off to me. Only downside is I occasionally get blood blisters on my right hand. Otherwise, I love it

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Blood blisters, that´s why I left leather overgrips 20 years ago (and never going back). Less injuries = better and longer court experience.

[@raytrace2014]

Whenever I buy a new racquet, I try to use the stock, synthetic grip. But after a while I give in and put a leather grip (with overgrip) on it. I can always feel the bevels more easily with a leather base grip. Re cracked skin and blisters in the winter, don't use normal soap and avoid alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Dermol 500 is a great soap replacement as it's an emollient, too. You can wash your hands and moisturise them at the same time. Regular soap tends to dry the skin out too much IMO.

[@goldencalf5144]

Quite right, liquid soap is gentler on the skin.

[@youngsuit]

it's annoying when some of the racquets that should be designed to come with a leather grip like the PT 2.0 are sold with a synthetic, the balance feels off in my opinion

[@luckcab]

Really missing the old head rectangular grip. Used to play with the MG extreme mp so I'm used to that style and it's tough for me to play with the new head rackets!

[@Hurry19671]

@Luckas Cabral: Why dont you just change the grips? (tk82s 》 tk82)

[@luckcab]

@@Hurry19671 its more like I don't know or have access to a customizer lolol and honestly the rounder grips do make me hit with more spin even though my game style tend to be pretty flat so it's more of a comfort than function thing

[@Hurry19671]

@@luckcab I must agree! the different grips have their pros and cons. I have grown up with the classic rectangle grips, I prefer them. (flat shots more my gamestyle too.) I must say it is a question of habit. any change in the setup.is irritating. Now I tryout a 41/2 inch grip instead of 4 5/8.I think that might be working out. I still can try different basegrips and overgrips, (I will wrap my overgrips thicker. than on my 4 5/8 grip.this I am sure.but finally a even thinner grip might do the better job!? Finally life is always about changing something. haha P.S. Why not do it yourself? hjust order the tk82 grips and change it!

[@luckcab]

@@Hurry19671 what I've done instead is fold my overgrip in half around the buttcap to make a bigger bump at the bottom and it's really helped!

[@goldencalf5144]

@@luckcab I recently changed the pallet on my Head racquet recently, it's not that hard. Although, I went the other way, replacing the rectangular TK82 with the more square TK82S on a Prestige. You need a heat gun (blow dryer might work), staple gun, a knife, some thin double sided tape and a replacement pallet and grip. You might be able to do without a staple gun and just glue the buttcap to the pallet. You can purchase the pallet from Head and I think the code is TK82 for the rectangular one. There are videos on KZbin on how to do it.

[@Darthozzan13]

Main problem for me is I get so nervuos applying it since I really don't want to feel uneven application in my base grip :(

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Practice makes master.

[@sylvainbauge]

I tried playing with a leather grip but it was too harsh on my hand, even with an overgrip. Old man needs synthetic now!

[@bowsershark]

Gasquet has a aluminum baseball bat grip at the end of his racquet.

[@anacap007]

I think some leather peeks out from the overgrip due to time constraints during the changeovers. No need to do the whole handle when just bottom part that fits just one hand is enough. Seems too coincidental that only the 1HBH players do this. If you have a 2-hander, you'd need to cover the entire handle.

[@seansullivan5037]

Yeah, the 1HBH players have no need to do any more of the handle than where they grip it so some of them just don't bother.

[@sarcezio]

It probably changes balance. Less overgrip = less weight on handle -> a more head heavy balance. I have always thought it to be one of the main reasons

[@bushmenaa]

make a video about how to put 2 overgrips

[@seansullivan5037]

First, you want to make sure that with 2 overgrips you'll still have the right size handle as each one will add about 1/2 a size to the grip. Ex. - If you have a size 3, you'll be holding a size 4 after 2 overgrips. One way to mitgate that is to rewrap the base grip VERY tightly - that will effectively reduce the size of the base grip by maybe 1/4 size. Then use a "thin" non-tacky overgrip (like Babolat VS Original) and wrap it tightly with no overlap. This essentially becomes the new base grip and you won't have to change this layer when rewrapping. Then wrap the overgrip of your choice on top of that. You'll end up with a much more padded overgrip, ending up only about 1/2 size larger than the base handle. The main reason for doing this is if you have a leather base grip and 1 overgrip is still too rough on your hands. If you have a synthetic base grip, using 2 overgrips on that will feel pretty mushy and give you much less feel for the bevels to find your grips quickly under duress.

[@juannaury6048]

Im playing with a head leather grip and a wilson overgrip and my backhand improved a lot, i tried tourna overgrips and i didnt like it, here in argentina is very difficult to acquire a good leather grip hopefully i managed to buy one abroad.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Tourna overgrips are the worst. I gave up leather grips 20 years ago (no more blisters and more fun play). Babolat overgrips are the best.

[@hcho8164]

Leather is more resistant to uv light damage. I think someone destroyed my overgrip with uv light and jacked up the over grip prices. This can happen in a connected economy where they all know each other at Davos, Switzerland and they coordinate.

[@davormargetic1881]

I think that Becker used two overgrips

[@zemribeiro]

One handed backhand players don't need the whole extension of the handle, so many wrap their overgrips like that.

[@93johnk]

why not: blisters

[@martin101harris5]

Some people swear that the thinner the grip is in your hands the more variety you can produce on the court. What's your experience on this.

[@kjstel4248]

I was wondering what gripsize is most used on the pro tours?

[@j_rf3038]

For ATP, pretty sure it's 3/8. Lots of 1/2 as well.

[@kcazzzzz]

i thought the main reason pros use leather grips was because it transfer more vibrations to the hands, and vibration=feel. so they can have better feel on their shots

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Who wants more vibration to the hand? I mean, that´s why most on the pros use a dampener: Djokovic, Nadal, Zverev, Meddvedev,Wawrinka, Sampras,. Agassi, etc...

[@kcazzzzz]

@@miguelbarahona6636 dampeners on the strings does not equal dampening on the racket frame. better feel means better control. the pros usually use rackets which does not have any racket dampening technology which we see in a lot of the newer rackets, because that will mess with their feel when they hit the ball

[@miguelbarahona6636]

@@kcazzzzz Some pros have their racket´s handle filled with silicone, that is a great dampening system.

[@kcazzzzz]

@@miguelbarahona6636 i think the silicone in the handle only adds weight to make the racket more head light and stable. it doesn't dampen the vibration since the vibration is still travelling through the racket and into the player's hands. it isn't traveling through the the silicone like the dampening tech of the newer rackets, where they place dampening systems along the frame or outside the handle, where the vibration will travel through it before reaching the player's hands. it will make the racket feel muted, and pros do not like playing with a muted racket. the silicone will be placed inside the handle, the player is still touching the outside of the handle.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

@@kcazzzzz Silicone in the handle definitively adds dampening, when the player doesn´t want it, they add other materials instead. This is a "feel" matter, some like vibrations, but the majority doesn´t.

[@akiga3258]

Gasguet can satisfy any woman with his racket grip...prove me wqrong

[@monlewi1976]

Gasquet's racket is absolutely ugliest one in a tour, disgusting look