Okay time for a new glove, Which one Bigshot,Bigshot Crossover or Bateman Cordovan Tip Lined. Please keep in mind living in Australia I have not seen any of them. What are the pros & cons of each of them?
I've never used a Bateman but have the American Leathers Big shot and their Crossover. Both are dandy, the Elk Bigshot breaking in to a soft and keen feel of the string. The crossover a tad more finger protection with Cordovan leather on the outside of the finger stalls (my fav).
I have currently on order a customized Crossover with heavier leather and thicker inserts for a potentially cleaner release....we'll see.
John will make you a excellent glove!
I am a fan of the Bigshot in both Bison and Elk skin. Very durable in my opinion. Decent string feel without being too thin. The Crossover is more like an old Hill style set of fingers, in that with the cordovan and inserts, there is virtually no string feel and no give. Some really like that, but I do not. I like to feel the string a bit, but not so much that multiple shots when practicing begin to hurt. American Leathers is great product, made and sold by really nice folks who practice business honorably. Just my two cents however.
QuoteOriginally posted by yukon chuck:
I am a fan of the Bigshot in both Bison and Elk skin. Very durable in my opinion. Decent string feel without being too thin. The Crossover is more like an old Hill style set of fingers, in that with the cordovan and inserts, there is virtually no string feel and no give. Some really like that, but I do not. I like to feel the string a bit, but not so much that multiple shots when practicing begin to hurt. American Leathers is great product, made and sold by really nice folks who practice business honorably. Just my two cents however.
Yukon,
The Crossover is not a heavy glove at all....just one step from the Big Shot in "feel" of the string. It is by far the best glove I have shot and just gets better as it breaks in.
I have and use a Hill glove that you mention as well. It is not made of Cordovan leather but, as you noted, nearly eliminates the feel of the string when new, especially with moderate weight bows.
The Elk Big Shot broke-in to a hook that was too deep (for me) and consequently my release suffered. The crossover gives a great feel of the string but allows for a much more crisp release, IMO - YMMV
You are correct sir...the Turners will bend over backwards to help you enjoy your shooting experience.
The modified Crossover they are making for me now will potentially be about half as stiff/thick feeling as the Hill when it softens up a bit....we'll see how that pans out.
I like Bateman gloves a lot. Very durable and a slick release. Fine chraftmanship. Take a little breaking in but will last a good long time. I'm sure the American Leather gloves are great. They have a strong following. I like the finger protection and durability as well as the style of the Batemans. Might be good to get one of each and sell the one you like less to a friend.
The elk bigshot is awesome!
Big shot elk for me also. Great finger protection and durable, I'm going on 3 years with it and no issues at all.
BOB
The bate man will allow you to shoot 80# and not feel the string "dig in." Also it has a very sharp release, make sure you are pointing your arrow in a safe direction as the release happens fast!
If you experience sore ring finger, the bateman will eliminate that. (http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv247/pukingguts/DSC_8565.jpg)
Elk Bigshot for me too.
The Bigshots are excellent gloves, well made and dependable, but, if you use a semi-deep hook draw, the stalls are to short. Depending on your shooting style, try one before you buy.
I wish I could try one first but unfortunately no one in Australia stocks them. I may end up buying a few to try & sell the ones I don't prefer.
QuoteOriginally posted by swampthing:
The bate man will allow you to shoot 80# and not feel the string "dig in." Also it has a very sharp release, make sure you are pointing your arrow in a safe direction as the release happens fast!
If you experience sore ring finger, the bateman will eliminate that. (http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv247/pukingguts/DSC_8565.jpg)
Swamp,
This is exactly what I did to my Hill glove...much more functional/comfortable now but the Crossover wins hands down for all-around shootability.
I designed the Crossover because I love the stiff feeling of the insert type Hill gloves. Sometimes due to the double layer of leather on a Hill style glove the finger doesn't bend much. Also, that style of glove tends to slip off the fingers unless the stalls are kept tight by resewing periodically.
However, with the Crossover, those problems are gone...the glove stays on your hand in the exact position, the glove is a little stiffer due to the insert, but it's not as stiff as a Hill style or Bateman so you have control over the shot and it doesn't get away from you and the nylon in the gloves grips the fingers and you won't have to tap the glove on the fingers every shot or two.
Sunset hill, I think you might have talked me into a crossover now to work out the size & what sort of wait would I be looking at?
Send a tracing of your hand to John at American Leathers and he will take good care of you. Tell him I sent you. He is a tg sponser
Thanks for that
I like to feel my string a little bit. The BigShot didn't allow me to do that. It is a very heavy thick and stiff glove. I then got a Bearpaw and really like the quality and the cordovan tips are fantastic.
http://www.kustomkingarchery.com/Speed-Glove/productinfo/4732/
Man give me a break the bateman cordovan with inserts is the best but you have to cut 1/4 inch off the tips and break it in l tried the big shot and it wasnt for me.why would someone want all that material on thetips of your fingers and the webbing ie too short for a deep hook.it must work for some but bateman has my vote.
I have a Big Shot Buffalo and just shot the new Crossover today. Thanks Nate for a great design. For midweight bows it's a winner.
I cut the webbing out of the front of my Big Shot and sewed around the tips and I may do that with the Crossover. I can get a better feel of my tooth with the Crossover so it may not be necessary. I'm just going to give it some time.
The crossover does not let your fingers hook as much so you feel your anchor better
Yep.
In my opinion, the Black Widow PDQ glove is superior to all three listed and has a far better price.
I don't think you can find any thing better than the crossover that is made today.It stays on your fingers and has a good feel to it.
Bringing this back up for any more thoughts from tradgangers, thanks.
Black widow. Sticktite. Great release and it does stick tite
Ordered a crossover glove a couple of days ago off their website. How long does it normally take to get your glove?
You can't go wrong with the the American Leathers Bigshot or Bigshot Crossover. Both excellent!
Trying out the crossover, got a medium from big jim but its to small, quality id excellent, sent hand tracing fax to American Leathers and they have to make a custom due to fat fingers. Its the winter off season time to experiment.
I personally like the crossover the best, but everybody is different. Big shot is slightly thinner and will give you more string feel. Crossover gives you more string protection.
Bigjim
A.L. Crossover. bought mine from Big Jim last year at Tannehill, and it remains some of the best money I've spent on an archery/hunting accessory (and, uh, there's been a lot, haha!)
Do all the Bateman gloves have a nylon liner inside them like the Howard Hill gloves?
Longbowman, there are several models. I have them with nylon inserts, double leather without inserts, and just with the single layer of cordovan leather.
I spent some time talking with John and Lori at the kzoo show last weekend. He said that the crossover allows for a little cleaner release and appeared to be a little quicker to his eye. Someone at the show stopped by and said he chrono'd his bow with both the big shot and the big shot crossover and found the crossover to be about 5fps faster.
I went with the big shot crossover with the buffalo leather finger stalls with a piece of "nylon" in between the leather. The reason I went with the buffalo was because my hands sweat alot and John said the buffalo would hold up better than the elk for this.
I will say when I got home and started shooting with it I thought I made a big mistake because it the finger stalls were so stiff. However, after several shooting sessions and about 100 shots I could not be happier. It has broken in to a nice feel of the string but excellent protection. They both have a lot of fans because of the quality.
-Mark
I have had an elk big shot for,about 4 yrs. I don't use it anymore. I liked,it when I was using it I got it for the protection and the nylon stalls. But over time it grooved out effecting its accuracy and feel and the stall are a little too short for a,deep hook, and its very thick almost like wearing a hockey glove. And the nylon webbing is fuzzed up and is not as smooth as it was new. And as far as string feel there is very little. Compared,to what I use now. A Damascus. Which I know are No way near the quality and craftsmanship of the American leathers. But they are about 1/4 the price.. Better feel soft leather so it can't groove out. And I like the full palm and how light it is.
There's a mention or two on American Leathers Crossovers with cordovqn stalls in this thread. Is this a custom call in option? I dont see it on their website. TIA
808--I'm interested in the Crossovers with cordovan stalls, also. Hopefully, someone will have some info. Peace!
The crossover is listed on their site as being made entirely of buffalo. No cordovan listed. That being said John might do it as a custom option. I was fortunate to get in on a custom crossover made of kangaroo. Someone just needs to contact him and ask.
I've never tried the Bateman but have heard good things of it. I'd go with the Crossover. Here is a review I did on it a while back that you might find useful:
Click Here for My Crossover Review on TradGang (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=134570)
A single glove will most likely not be the best fit for many.
I have over 50,000 rounds on my two Buffalo Big Shots.They are quite ready to take on many thousands more.
Having stated my incredible durability experience, the Dura Glove provides me personally a much better string feel, cleaner release and enhanced fluid follow thru on bows approximately 52#s and under. The favorable factors translate into personal improved accuracy and consistancy. This figure could vary greatly between individuals.
A great match for one in no way necessitates a great match for another.
I have shot quite a few; there may be better gloves but for me, I see no reason to look further. I like the crossover. Just got to try them until you find one you like, I guess.
The Crossover works the best for me also. Excellent string feel, clean release, no slippage, very durable & comfortable.