A system and method for improving the gripping surface of the handle of a manual tool, implement, or instrument. In a preferred embodiment the present invention includes one or more elastomeric bands stretched over the handle of the tool, implement, or instrument. A shrinkable sleeve is then placed over the bands and shrunk tightly over the handle. The result is a ribbed gripping surface on the handle to improve gripability of the tool, implement, or instrument. In another preferred embodiment, adhesive is used to secure the elastomeric band to the handle before shrinking the sleeve to improve precision in the placement of the rings and durability of the finished gripping surface.