Need a new handle: Got recommendations?

[escmanaze]

Hi Guys,

I got invited to ski a private lake. Brought my handle. Left it there. Dummy. Anyway, in the market for a new one. I would love to hear any feedback positive or negative out there.

 

P.S. Sorry, if thread is a complete repeat. I couldn't find any with the search function, and figure it probably doesn't hurt to update it every now and then anyway.

[escmanaze]

Also, I'm up for size recommendations as well. I'm 5'11" with hands that are big enough to palm a grippy basketball and not big enough to palm one that isn't grippy. What in the world even is the right way to determine the size I should be using?

[escmanaze]

12" or 13"

[skihacker]

Masterline, their thickest one is 1.180 i think

[BlueSki]

Diameter is all feel. I have similar size hands and use 1.03, but so does my wife who has much smaller hands. I ski with a guy that uses a handle about the diameter of my 10-year-old’s. You just have to try what others may have and roll the dice.

 

For 12 vs 13, it depends on how often you might hook a finger. I used 12 for years but kept missing with one or two fingers so I went to 13. Again, all personal feel.

[whitem71]

I’d go for a Masterline custom, 13” 1.03 which I think is considered the standard recommended size as it suits most people. Have been told lots of things by top skiers in the past re- widths, i.e. the taller you are and wider your shoulders are, then go with a 13”, yet some people say the wider handle is useful to create stability on the pull. Others said the smaller 12” handle helps to keeps your elbows pinned to your vest! I’m only 5ft 9 with smallish hands and I use a 13” as I used to miss the handle with my pinkie every now and then, and 1.00 diameter as it just seems to fatigue my grip less than a larger one. Guess it depends on how you hold the handle too but I’m sure I heard that Whitney uses a 1.062 which is large for a female skier.

[TEL]

In-Tow handle with spectra rope, I have smallish hands and use a 1.062 it is a personal thing

[Keith_Menard]

Another vote for In-Tow. I like it with the 'safety bar' woven into the handle. Brenda is also great to work with.

[gregy]

I sure like my 13" master line ergo anti-roll radius handle. Except for it sinks like a rock. With regular handles I had to tape my pinky finger because it get blisters from pinching.

[Rednucleus]

Bet your handle is waiting for you at the lake - in my experience gear seldom walks away at a private lake. Maybe contact owner or a regular there if you like your handle?

[cruznski]

Really love In Tow with Spectra and the safety bar is recommended. Of course Masterline are great too. It has been said that thicker handles may reduce arm strain, I am 5 11 XL gloves and went from a 1.00" to a 1.092" ( I use a 13") and have had no 'tennis elbow' ever since the change, admittedly I am one data point but there may be something to that. I am approaching the dawn of Men7 age too. Since that when I take the occasional set with the old spare 1.00 I can tell I am squeezing more.

[Gar]

Intow

[ScotChipman1]

What lake @escmanaze? I love my 12" bent In Tow, strung with spectra and a cross bar.

[skimtb]

+1 Masterline 13”x1”

[ScottScott]

Masterline custom, with the radius bend. You'll probably want at least the 1.03" maybe larger. 12/13" ? Not sure there's a lot of downside to the 13".

[lkb]

In tow with spectra

[Mike]

Radar 13" Vapor Boa 1"... I went with the .94 and wear x-large Boa gloves. Have a bit wider paws with slightly long fingers even though I am not that big of guy overall. My thinking on 1" or below for me is where the handle sits cupped in my fingers. If ya have a chance to grab a few different widths you may surprise yourself with what you decide. I was lucky enough to visit Wiley's in Seattle many years back and put a few handles in my hand. I tried fatter ones earlier on but they fatigued my forearms as I remember. If you have access to a pro shop I would wander in. You could also call Performance Ski and surf and see if they would not mind sending you a couple widths with the possibility of sending one back.

[Horton]

MasterLine 1.062 or nothing

[DW]

I like a .88 or .94 diameter 13" handle so as noted and since I am an outlier, it simply shows that handles a very much a personal preference item.

[Deanoski]

Master line

[skibrain]

1.062 13” have used In-Tow w/spectra last two handles. masterline currently, going on second season, so it seems comparable. Kevlar gloves are hard on handles and we get about 2 years out of them. I’ve used ML as large as 1.125”. But like 1.062 best.

[HighAltitude]

Masterline Ergo.

[Dacon62]

Masterline 1.062”. Adjust diameter to your needs. Super grippy, high quality rubber. 13”, less chance of a misgrab That, in combination with Radar Kevlar Vapor Pro gloves and getting a good grip will not be an issue.

[skialex]

Masterline custom 1.062” 13”!

I’m sure your handle would be waiting for you to go back and ask for it. Unless something went wrong and they are waiting for you to kill you if you step a foot there again :)

[The_MS]

US Gear

Well worth the wait.

[jjackkrash]

In Tow.

[escmanaze]

Thanks everybody, this is very helpful.

 

@ScotChipman1 it was up at Call's Fort. I'm in communication with the guy who invited me. He is going to check. Hopefully it's still there. We will see.

 

I may very well buy a new one regardless for various reasons.

 

Thanks everybody. Keep em coming please.

[Cent]

In tow spectra with safety bar has been great for me.

[John Brooks]

Masterline 1.062 with rope strung in the Y to protect from head going through. 12" bar, straight. My hands measure 8.25" from my wrist to the end of my longest finger (to give a little perspective on sizing).

[BraceMaker]

Guess it matters if you remembered to bring gas (or not). If you leave me a handle you can skip gas any time.

[owennibley]

@escmanaze the white rope black handle? It is still up there. I believe it was in one of the storage sheds. Not sure which one. I prefer handles with a radius. But handles are all personal preference.

[escmanaze]

@owennibley You ski at Call's? Yes indeed, that is it, the white rope and black handle. That is great news (tentatively of course). Hopefully the guy that invited me will remember to check next time he's up there and see it there. Thanks much, that's encouraging.

 

And yes, for my next handle I might just go radius and try it out. I think I might like it. We'll see.

 

[owennibley]

@escmanaze well.... It was my boat you skied behind so yes. :)

[WoodySkier]

In Tow

[S1Pitts]

US Gear 13" Pro V 1.060" Dia - Called the number on the website and handle arrived on June 14th 12 days later via USPO. SWEET!

[scuppers]

@Dirt what wait for USGear? Do you know a trick that the rest of us do not?

Some guys have waited almost a year and no response.

[escmanaze]

@owennibley Oh!!!! You are Andy!! Alright, nice to meet you on the old BOS. Thanks again for the tow!!

[wawaskr]

12” Masterline 1.030

[epnault]

Really like the US Gear too. I just ordered one today and spoke directly with Randy. He said I will have my new one by the end of the week at my door.

[2Valve]

@escmanaze

I like the InTow tapered handle. I'm running 6,8 passes in succession with no forearm issues like existed with other handles. Add the HeadGuard is cheap insurance too.

[S1Pitts]

Skied the last 3 days with my new 13" US Gear Pro V Spectre rope bridle. Was not expecting much of a feel difference from my 9 yr old version but was I wrong. It's light as a feather, it floats and I never came close to missing a grab. Ordering another so I am never without one.

[dave2ball]

@escmanaze as you see you have many people say three things. Masterline, in tow and us gear. Us gear take forever to get. In tow is basically a mom pop company. Masterline has tested product by skiers. The product is built for skiers by skiers. You will have many more options that are not on the web site so you would have to ask for them such as a a plastic/rope handle guard. There product is all made in the USA. I don’t think in tow and us gear can say that. There is a reason Masterline is in every major tournament. It’s your money. Get what feels best in your hands.

 

[jjackkrash]

In Tow isn't "mom and pop" its just Brenda. She will make you an awesome handle any way you want it, right in Mesilla Park, NM. If you don't know what you want, call her up and she'll talk you through the options. Then she'll build the handle and promptly ship it after she writes your name or nickname on it (which is a nice little personal touch). Brenda is a class act. I won't buy ropes or handles from anyone else.

[Quinn]

I think you are all missing the opportunity here. Get on the phone and get an invite to come back and ski at that lake!

[The_MS]

I believe Randy at US Gear hand strings every thing in AZ, USA

[lkb]

Calling In tow a mom and pop company to make it seem like it’s a lesser quality option is utter BS! Her products are top quality and so is the customer service! I’ve been buying ropes and handles from Brenda for over 10 yrs. never once had a problem.

[escmanaze]

Wait the US Gear handle floats? say what?

[The_MS]

Yes, they float and last a long time.

[dwfrech]

I wear XL "41Off" gloves. My hands are pretty big and I like the larger handle diameter. I went from something like 0.95" diameter (or maybe it was 1.00") and now have a 1.062" Masterline handle, 13" wide. It's great and the larger diameter keeps it from feeling like rebar shoved into the base of my fingers. Used to get that if I pulled hard on the old smaller diameter handle. I saw something even bigger in FL. It might have been >1.1" diameter. Decide also if you want the full-rubber wrapped V-ropes or just caps and a short wrap. I have the latter and it's fine too.

[igkya]

@dave2ball You are wrong on so many items in your above post...

 

1. By mom and pop, if you mean small company but high quality, then you're right, otherwise, NO

 

2. The product is built for skiers by skiers - So are InTow products, or maybe you don't consider F. Winter, R.Pigozzi, C. Vaughn, Manon, Jamie, Tayor G, Zack skiers?

 

3. InTow products are handmade in NM

 

4. There is a reason Masterline is in every major tournament - Simply marketing and partnership, doesn't mean they are better/worse than the competition

 

 

I'm not bashing Masterline - they make really good products that I have used before.