Keep it close.
Use fewer layers when you prefer the existing handle shape with a cotton surface over it.
Workshop · Toolbox · Workbench
Tool grip tape.
Your handle.
Your fit.
Build it up. Adjust it down.
Build up your tool grip without sticky residue. Add layers for a fuller grip or unwrap outer layers for a thinner feel. Non-stretch cotton Guard-Tex sticks to itself and removes without adhesive cleanup.
Woven cottonMesh texture
Non-stretchUnroll to length
Self-adheringLayers stick to each other
Adjustable thicknessAdd or remove outer layers
A handle wrap that fits your preference
Choose the feel, layer by layer.
A tool handle wrap lets you change the grip area without choosing one fixed thickness. Start with a light wrap and adjust from there.
Build it up.
Add overlapping layers where you want more thickness. The whole handle does not need the same build.
Bring it back down.
Unwrap outer layers if the handle feels too full. Replace worn or dirty tape with a fresh wrap.
From the roll to the handle
How to wrap a tool handle.
Overlap is what gives self-adhering tape another layer to bond to. Follow the directions on your package and your tool manufacturer’s instructions.
- 01 / PREPARE
Choose your grip area.
Start with a clean, dry handle. Unroll the tape without stretching it and hold the starting end in place.
- 02 / OVERLAP
Wrap onto the previous layer.
Work around the handle with overlapping passes. Smooth the end onto the tape beneath it.
- 03 / ADJUST
Check the thickness.
Check how the handle feels before use. Add layers for a fuller grip or unwrap outer layers for a slimmer one.
Wrap only the intended handle area. Keep controls, guards and moving parts clear. A handle wrap is not a repair for a cracked or damaged tool.
Around the workshop
Different handles. Different preferences.
Hammers
Choose the section you normally hold and adjust the wrap to your preferred handle thickness.
Screwdrivers
Add cotton layers around the grip area when you prefer a fuller handle. Keep the tool’s working parts clear.
Wrenches and pliers
Wrap the handle sections you hold, keeping joints and adjustment mechanisms free to move.
Keep a roll in your toolbox
1½-inch black.
Ready for your toolbox.
Start with one roll and a storage tin. Build up your handle to the thickness you prefer.
- Width
- 1½ inches
- Color
- Black
- In the pack
- 1 roll + tin
Current prices and availability are shown in the shop. Contains natural rubber latex.
Buying for a workshop? See commercial packs →Before you wrap
Tool grip tape questions.
What is tool grip tape?
Tool grip tape is a wrap used around a handle to change its surface and thickness. Guard-Tex is a non-stretch cotton option with a cohesive coating: overlapping layers stick to one another.
How do you wrap a tool handle?
Start with a clean, dry handle. Hold the end in place, wrap around the grip area and overlap each pass so the tape contacts itself. Smooth the end onto the previous layer. Follow the directions on the package and your tool manufacturer’s instructions.
Can I make the grip thicker or thinner?
Yes. Add layers where you prefer a fuller handle. Unwrap outer layers for a thinner grip. Adjust the wrap to your hand and the way you hold that particular tool.
Does Guard-Tex stretch?
No. Guard-Tex is non-stretch woven cotton. Unroll the length you need rather than pulling it longer as you wrap.
How does the wrap stay in place?
Its cohesive coating bonds overlapping tape layers to one another. It needs tape-to-tape contact; a strip laid across a handle without overlapping itself is not the same application.
When should I replace a handle wrap?
Check the wrap before use. Replace it when it becomes worn, dirty or loose. There is no single replacement interval for every tool and workload.
Which width and pack should I choose?
Choose the width to suit the handle and area you want to cover. The shop shows current widths, colors, pack sizes, prices and availability.
Does Guard-Tex contain latex?
Yes. Guard-Tex contains natural rubber latex. Do not use it if you have a latex allergy.