Has anyone ever tried converting a Yonex G3 grip to a G4. (ie by sanding down or shaving the wood of the grip slightly.

Is this a bad idea ?

I'm asking this cos in the UK Yonex only supplies 2U G3 rackets. I'm thinking about getting a new racket, but I'd prefer a G4 grip. I can either wait til I go back to HK or for a relative to come over. Or get one here and maybe try and convert the grip to a smaller size.

Um, why would you want to do that? I know to get a smaller size, but the difference between G3 and G4 is minimal. I don't even feel the difference. You could try putting a thinner grip on your G3 to make it feel thinner

Hmmm, i may stick with the G3 grip and see then. But thinking back to when I was in school when I was using a racket bought in the UK (I presume it was G3, but can't remember) and then switching to a G4 racket a relative brought over from HK, I felt a great difference.

cheers

The tolerances on grip size can be quite substantial depending on manufacturing batch and the quality of the wood used. The different grip sizes are supposed to equate to a specific diameter but this doesn't always occur. Also different brands can be substantially different, for example Winex G4 is smaller than Yonex G4 which is smaller than Blacknight G4. The grip material can also change the diameter. If you are trying to duplicate a G4 grip you should remove the grip and measure with a vernier caliper then check the G3 grip and see what the differrence is. You can then take to a wood working shop and ask if they can take off the excess. This is not a do it youreself project.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that fatter grips decrease problems such as tendonitis and so on. In my observation most inexperienced players use too thin a grip. Unless you have a very small hand I'd suggest you stick with the G3.

Taking your racket to G4 woud also shift the balance towards the head, and yiu might find it actually feels heavier and strains your grip more, odd as it may seem.