Haven't had to buy a new glove in many years. My Berlin style glove with Cordovan tips has served me well, but it is getting on in years, and besides that I have decided I need a back-up in case I should lose it.
The first thing I did was order another of the glove I currently have. When it arrived I sent it back the day I received it. The decline in construction quality was shocking.
Now I'm looking at unfamilar products. One thing I notice is that many gloves have nylon overlays on the fingers now rather than the Cordovan. Those of you that use these, what are your thoughts on them? Durability? Finger protection using heavier bows? Smoothness of release? Wet weather? Anything else?
Your experiences and insights are welcomed.
Thanks,
Kevin
Kevin,
Look at the American Leathers buffalo big shot, great glove and wears like iron, only glove I use. very well made.
I'm really liking my Big Shot from American Leathers. The nylon gives a slick release and the construction is second to none.
I have 2 big shot gloves and love them, also if you like a feel for the string 3rivers duraglove is a great choice, have one of those also
I agree with the above post about American Leathers gloves. :thumbsup:
X2 on the Duraglove. I've been using these for a few seasons now. I like them so much I got one big enough to wear over my military surplus wool glove liners for late season.
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Dura-Glove+Archery+Shooting+Glove_i4040X_baseitem.html
Am. Leathers Crossover. I have been shooting this glove for about 3 months now, and it is the best glove I ever owned.
Have both the american leather big shot elk gloves and the 3 rivers dura glove.
Both wear well, (big shot better than the dura glove). The dura glove has less finger protection but, you feel the string more. The big shot glove nylon is very slick and my favorite. The big shot is more expensive but the quality is there and for my money well worth it.
Thanks all for the input thus far.
How does the durability of the nylon compare with Cordovan? What happens to the nylon on a rainy day? In nasty brushy country does it get "fuzzed" up?
Anyone use the American Leathers Full Shot glove?
Thanks.
Another question about the American Leather gloves... I notice that their straps fasten on the underside of your wrist. Any glove I've shot has always fastened on the top of my wrist. I'm wondering if this poses any problem with snagging on clothing as you walk or when you draw your bow??? Maybe a trivial point, but I'm picky!
Thanks.
I have been using an elk Big Shot for two years and it's still in great condition. No issues for me with the nylon or the wrist strap fastening on the inside. I just picked up the Crossover also, still working on getting it broken in. If you are concerned about the exposed nylon I would recommend the Crossover.
Mike and Centaur...
Regarding the Crossover, how heavy are the bows you shoot? I ask because if I'm not mistaken the Crossover has the plastic inserts sewn inside each finger stall. I remember a Howard Hill glove that I owned years ago that was constructed that way. It was a stout piece of equipment and not designed for light draw weights...at least not in my opinion.
Kevin,
I'm shooting bows in the 55-60 pound range. I, too, had the Howard Hill glove in the past, and couldn't get used to it, but the Crossover is a whole different story. I wasn't sure I like the fastening on the underside of the wrist at first, but I have gotten used to it and now it feels natural.
American Leathers CrossOver for me. Great quality and an slick release. I shoot Hill-style longbows from 35-42lbs. I have no problem with getting a smooth release and still feel the string, but not as much as I did with my Bateman and Skookum cordovan tabs.
I have a medium glove and the wrist strap has about 2 inches of velcro for the closure. Barely any extra strap sticking out when it's secured around my wrist. Don't have a problem with it snagging on anything. I think it would work well for you.
If you get the right size it will be VERY tight for a bit while it breaks in. I wore mine during my commute to and from work for a couple of days to break it in. Now it's still snug around my fingers, but nice and comfortable. After a little shooting it's perfect. I really like it.
Kevin... the Crossover is a great glove and as soon as I can I'll get a couple more so I'll always have one.
I to tried the Hill glove years ago and I never really cared for it. Just too stiff for my tastes and I was using 70+ pound bows at that time.
I'm using mid 50's bows now and the Crossover is great. Very good protection, smooth release and awesome quality.
I was very skeptical when I first got it, expecting it to be too stiff, but it's a whole nuther animal.
I had the big shot and it's a nice glove but I personally did not like it because I could not feel my anchor point on my face. I used it but I removed the nylon to bare leather.
Bateman cordovan almost 50 $ but worth it. Very slick release. You have to break it in I cut 1/4" off the tips to feel my anchor.im talking about the top model w inserts.new ideas about gloves not nessesarily better just different.also hhill glove is agood glove.
Highly recommend the Big Shot Crossover.
I love my Tred Barta's from three rivers
I had a super glove and it just got too much of a crease in it and would split the skin on my index finger for some reason. I then got a big shot. I liked it a lot, but did have some issues with one of the fingers twisting a little so I was on the side of the nylon pad with one finger. Still worked great and the best heavy glove I have tried.
I got away from the glove and now shoot an Eichler cordovan tab. Love it, and it has a super slick release. However, shooting split finger, I just don't get a great anchor in my face without turning my head in a little more than I would like. My fingers are on the short side. A glove lets me face the target more and get a real positive anchor.
I went to the Kalamazoo Expo this weekend to try to get a crossover. I really like the look of that glove and the feel when I tried one on at Compton last year. American Leathers was not there and none of the vendors seemed to have a crossover. So I tried to find a Dura glove, but no luck with that. The Dura glove should have a medium amount of protection and ability to get a good hook on the string with slick release. I found a Bear Paw black glove so got one of those. A lot more string feel than I am used to, but I like the release a lot. No break in required with a slick release. I also liked the fit and the elastic nature of the back of the glove really holds it on well. I had no problem changing over from the tab to the glove. It will take a little getting used to with more finger pressure, but it works well and would be a great glove for someone liking a Damascus glove, but wanting something better for wet weather and longer wear.
I like my Speed Glove from Bearpaw.
I love my dura glove from three rivers but be aware that the new ones are way smaller than older models. I have a medium older version and just got my son a new one for my son it was a medium and wouldn't even fit my little finger. I sent it back and they replaced it but I still got screwed out of the return shipping. The new large is same size as my medium.
Will the Big Shot Crossover accommodate a deep hook?
Kevin, I also shoot bows between 45 and 50 lbs and both the Big Shot and the Crossover work great.
Ranger 3, I have no problem getting a deep hook and solid anchor with either American Leathers glove.
QuoteOriginally posted by ranger 3:
Will the Big Shot Crossover accommodate a deep hook?
Yes, indeed.
x3 on the Dura Glove. I've got a couple of them, and can't seem to wear them out.
Dura Glove for me. I tried the American Leathers and just could not get it to feel good to me.
I can not recommend the Black Widow Stick Tite glove any higher. It is fantastic.
Alan
I really like my American Leathers Big shot glove my only complaint is I don't like velcro connections but that is easy to remedy as anyone who works with leather can put a snap on one.
Just ordered the big shot crossover, hope its as good as the reviews, if not will go back to my tab. Some of you guys need to sell cars.
Great information! Thanks to all for sharing.
I would still like to hear from someone who uses the American Leathers Full Shot...anyone???
If you want a really nice glove you can take a look at a guy named OLE BUFF. He's a leathersmith that makes gloves and all kinds of bowhunting gear.
I have one of his gloves and it is really nice, just about covers my entire fingers.
www.olebuff.com (http://www.olebuff.com)
Nalajr
Scratch that post. Apparently he is no longer making gloves or at least his site is DOA...
Nalajr
Kevin, I've been using a Full Shot for several months, and like it a whole lot. I've posted a couple of times about the glove in the last few months - do a search for "full shot", and my forum name "slowbowjoe"; pretty good description of my experience with the glove.
PM me if you'd like to know more.
Black Widow PDQ glove====excellent
I love my Bearpaw Buffalo glove. But never tried a American Leathers glove. Looks pretty popular.
QuoteOriginally posted by ranger 3:
Will the Big Shot Crossover accommodate a deep hook?
I guess it depends on your definition of deep hook. I can get deep into my finger joints. The stalls are long. I don't gets a really good curly on my fingers so they point more back at me. I have kind of short fingers and the gloves are just thick enough that I just can't curly my fingers all the way with two layers of glove and string in there. Not like I can with a thinner glove or a tab. I use a large because of my finger diameter and palm size, but my finger length is more of a medium. I bet people with longer fingers using the L and XL get a better hook than I do.
Kevin..American Leathers Crossover great glove.
I am now using the AL Bigshot. I like it better than any glove I have ever used. I like the nylon tips. They are slick and tough. My only complaint is I wish the strap velcroed on top of the wrist instead of the 2 strap system that velcros below the wrist. I have some bad nerve damage in my non glove hand and struggle to get it strapped. Most of the time I do not have it secured very good. I know AL promotes their strap system as it is designed to pull backwards and keep the finger stalls tight. I don't thinks it matters as mine stays tight and typically I have it loosely strapped at best. I think my next one I will see if the will do a custom single strap for me.
I really like the Damascus gloves...seems like they are hard to find though....by the way I'm looking for a couple in large ; if any one happens to have any....thanks
Guys, I really appreciate all the shared experiences...lots of food for thought!
I actually really like the Martin leather gloves. It seems to be a good fit for my smaller hands and a good compromise between thick and thin. I'm not crazy about the light color though.
Just ordered a big shot crossover, John was very helpful in deciding what size.
One more vote for the American Leathers Crossover glove. Super high quality workmanship, slick release with the right amount of string feel for me. It will stretch so make sure the finger stalls are tight to begin with.
I used to use a Berlin-Style glove. I tried a Dura-Glove and never tried another. I like to feel the string a little and it has a nice slick release. I'm still using my first one bought about 4 years ago. The only thing I had to do is trim a little fuzz off the fingers. I don't see why it won't last 4 more years.
The only input I can give is I started shooting a black widow stick tight glove with cordovan overlays and my shooting quality improved 10 fold over a cheap neet glove. For 20 bucks I think theyre a bargain
Crossover! You gotta try it!
I use the American Leather Full Shot glove. It's a great glove. If you decide to use any American Leather glove, call or email them first regarding size.
I have the DuraGlove and the Big Shot Elk Glove, and the DuraGlove is much better for me. Do yourself a favor and buy the DuraGlove for less than half the price of a Big Shot. If you don't love it, then try the Big Shot. I bet you'll save yourself some money. The DuraGlove feels much more like the Berlin glove you are used to shooting and has a much better string feel. I shoot everything from 45 to 70 pound bows using the DuraGlove with no discomfort. If the nylon facing on the finger stalls begins to fuzz, you can carefully singe the fuzz with a cigarette lighter to lightly melt the fibers with quick passes through the flame. This seems to actually toughen the surface of the nylon to make it slicker and last longer. I also like tabs and prefer the cordovan models from Scott Teaschner, Bateman and Fred Eichler (actually made exclusively for 3Rivers).
Allan
love my 3 rivers dura glove.
I really like Martin's deer skin glove found them online from large hunting store. First glove I bought when starting out and still my favorite. $25 price range great deal
Question for you guys that recommend the American Leathers gloves: Are you shooting split or three under? If you respond, please reference the AL glove you use.
Thanks!
Kevin
Big Shot Crossover shooting split finger.
I tried the american leathers glove and the stalls were too short for my deep hook.I suppose they could make them longer for me but I think I still like the bateman glove overall.
QuoteOriginally posted by arrow flynn:
I tried the american leathers glove and the stalls were too short for my deep hook.I suppose they could make them longer for me but I think I still like the bateman glove overall.
Thanks, arrow. How deep do you anchor?
American leathers!
If you anchor around the first joint in your fingers, the American Leather glove is too short. The finger stalls end at the first joint, making the string catch on the bottom of the stall. AA is not for deep anchors.
I've anchored in the first joint (deep hook) all my life, used AA gloves for 10 years, and all their gloves (I'm using the Crossover now) are deep enough to anchor in the first joint just fine with plenty of finger stall left over
I've spoken with John on the phone and he assures me that his gloves accomadate a deep grip on the string. He also will send me a couple of different gloves to look at and then I can send back the one I don't want. Sounds like a great guy to do business with.
gotta give a thumbs up to the AL Crossover. i bought one this weekend at Tannehill, and was shooting it great that same day! i didn't like the nylon tips of the other AL models, so this one was perfect for me. i may be different in that i don't mind a bit looser stalls, so i got the XL to begin with. i shoot split-finger. didn't think i would want to pony up for what this thing costs, but i wish i'd done it sooner. awesome quality leather. great glove!
Another fan of the Big Shot gloves. I always shot the hill style glove with the nylon inserts and it took a bit to get them broken in.
The big shot is easier to break in and holds up great. I have 2 of them(when I find something I like I get a backup) and have been using them for 5 years now and expect quite a few years more from them.
Best glove I ever had.