Hey all,
I was looking at some gloves the other day to do some yard work with, they were Mechanix Gloves. I thought about it for a few and then wondered if these could be used to shoot a bow. Well, I KNOW they "COULD" be used, but would it be a good idea?
I don't think it would work so well without mods to it as they wouldn't give much protection at all. I was wondering if anyone else has thought about this and whether you have tried it.
Also how would you modify your Mechanix Glove to shoot with? I think the best way would be to get some of that strong cordura material that they make packs and stuff out of and have someone sew on some material to the fingertips. Seems like it wouldn't be too difficult. Has anyone else tried this?
I'd like to know about your ideas too.
Thanks
Nalajr
There are folks who shoot with their bare fingers. I think it takes some building up to, but they do it and seem to do it well. I would think as "bare" being the bottom end and a heavy leather shooting glove being the top end, anything in between is "do-able". My glove goes over the out side of my hand, others go on the bottom or palm side of the hand, so I would guess you would/could just pick a glove you want to try, cut off perhaps the thumb finger and pinky finger and be good to go. So long as it straps or buckles around the wrist it should stay pretty stable. Just my thoughts.
I shot a 3d round with a guy once who used a regular leather work glove. He didn't modify it at all. He shot the pants off the rest if us, too.
In the winter (if it is really cold) I will use a leather work glove at times. As long as the fit at the ends of the fingers is well fitted, I have had no issues at all.
I've used regular leather calf roping gloves for years. Last batch i found at the farm show. 4 pairs for $20.00. I put a little leather dye on them for camo. They work for me.Just make sure they fit a little tight and they will break in just right.
Years ago my dad decided that a shooting glove was too much trouble so he started shooting with a light weight leather driving glove. He was happy for about 6 months and then lost the feeling in the end of his middle finger. It was still that way when he passed away five years later.
So be careful, the glove or tab is there to protect you.
Mike
I have several pairs of regular gloves i'll use for hunting in cold weather, but if you are shooting a lot with them they wear out quick and can be tough on your fingers if you don't find a pair with reinforced finger tips.
But.... i like shooting with a soft leather shooting glove anyway so i can feel the string better. I cant ever get off the string consistently enough with those seriously thick shooting gloves or trying to use a thick tab.
I suppose its all in what you get used to....
I do! Shoe goo some thin nylon webbing on the fingers much like the big shot glove
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/cuboodle/0FCFD500-BFD8-48B1-B181-87CC830BC628-135-00000009EC07A513.jpg) (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/cuboodle/media/0FCFD500-BFD8-48B1-B181-87CC830BC628-135-00000009EC07A513.jpg.html)
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/cuboodle/3DFC7BD5-5B8A-4018-B95E-B4E271511236-135-00000009EA9BC243.jpg) (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/cuboodle/media/3DFC7BD5-5B8A-4018-B95E-B4E271511236-135-00000009EA9BC243.jpg.html)
I have played with using polypro or thermax glove liners to shoot with, and they will work for that for short periods. However, they don't hold up for extended sessions and will cause sore fingers after a short while. They would work for hunting, though, especially if you use a Damascus type glove for all regular shooting, because the thickness is very similar and so your anchor will feel exactly the same.
Gloves are only used in archery for "finger protection". They are not necessary for any other reason.
Yes, you can use any glove you want-the criteria should be very tight fitting and some type of leather for longer wear. If one has a good release their gloves/tabs/bare fingers last a very long time/forever in the case of bare.
The rougher the glove the more the string hangs onto it during the release. The slower ones fingers open upon release the more the string hangs up.
P.S.: If you use a Damascus glove, when it becomes stretched out and too loose, as they will do, you can put a thin polypro liner on and then pull the glove over it. It will fill out the loose glove and will give a bit more finger protection as well. I generally will do this when the weather cools off because I find Damascus gloves don't give the best finger protection but I haven't found another glove that I can tolerate in terms of being able to find my anchor and getting a clean release.
That's a great idea Paul. :thumbsup: ... i've got a few stretched out ones i may give that a try on.
I have a pair of lined deerskin gloves that I added leather strips to with barge cement, work great in cooler/cold weather, Burt