Howard Hill deluxe shooting glove help??

[redeemed]

I have been shooting with damascus gloves for a LONG time. went through 2 pair cuz they just are not thick enough to stop string sting. I looked around and came up what I thought to be the solution..the HH deluxe glove with the nylon inserts. I have it here, I cannot get it to bed where it should for the string to be in the proper place for me. It seems almost too small for my fingers. I have soaked it in hot water, stuffed funnels through the finger holes to open them up, even when I do finally manage to het my finger in far enough, it will not bend where I need it to.....what do I do?????

[58WINTERS]

You can use Lexol leather conditioner to help break it in.  I dip the stalls in it and let it drip dry.  Assuming the glove isn't too small to begin with it will form to your fingers.  My was very tight when it was new and it took awhile.  You are going to need to shoot this glove in they are very stiff as you have found out but it will come around with use.  Like a good new back quiver they will conform to you  through use.  If the stalls become loose get some pine tar stick  mine is marketed by Adidas (sp?) . I got it at the sporting goods store.  It works very well and is not messy . It just dials up like a stick deoderant.
The are very good gloves but you will have to commit to the time to break it in don't give up.

[lpcjon2]

Hot glove for baseball gloves works great for breaking in leather.

I have had one of those gloves for many years (8 or longer)and had the same problem you are facing.  It went for the reason you mentioned.  It felt like wearing I was wearing a boxing glove on each finger.

I learned here on TG (Hill Thread) of some guys trimming the end of the stalls which opens it up for the finger to protrude slightly and molds to your finger much more easily.

I had to get it wet as you did and put it on, working my fingers towards the newly created open end and actually knocked an arrow placing the string where it needed  to make a crease, then drew the bow and held it while rocking my fingers to allow the string to form the groove.

It is finally just perfect for that crisp release.

I think you should try an American Leathers Crossover glove...a great fit plug-n-play.  Lots of protection and you can still feel the string.  I have recently emailed John to see if he could modify the stiffness by changing the nylon inserts.  

I don't shoot heavy bows (56# max) but have grown to appreciate the stiffer stalls.  Lighter leathers are nice at first but, at least for me, they are inadequate when they break-in.

I'll try to post a pic of my HH glove modification tomorrow.

I have seen pics of HH gloves trimmed back much more drastically than this:

 


Now the stalls fit deep enough to allow some room to train them to the string:

 

[Hud]

If it is difficult too, it probably is smaller than you need.  If you keep the glove, I would soak it in cold water then try it on and if it is comfortable, shoot with it wet. Wear it for awhile, or stuff paper inside, and when it is wet replace the paper. You'll need to do this several times to soak up the excess water. Repeat the process of soaking, shooting and paper until they are comfortable. Next add a little Montana Pitch Blend Leather Conditioner.

DO NOT dry the leather near heat, it will either get hard or shrink.

2nd option is to call and see if it can be returned for a larger glove size. You might order the extra long stalls, because with the inserts on my glove, the string groove is almost too far back.

Next time, I will order the longer finger stalls.  

If you end up with a glove that is too big, add a thin piece of calf skin, (goat would work)inside along the top, and glue in place with Barge Cement., or tighten up the stitching on top with waxed stitching thread.

[redeemed]

I may try opening up the tips a little bit....doing the water soak again, then apply some montana pitch blend, simply cuz I have that here. Some GREAT thoughts here thanks folks

[V I Archer]

I love my Hill glove, but I have never shot with a deep hook. I shoot off the finger tips.  I don't think it's possible to wear it out.

[Lambow]

I like for my finger tips to stick out the ends of the stalls, for a better feel at anchor.
I'll cut a few stitches at the ends of the seam so my fingers will go deeper into the stalls, then  cut a bit of leather off the tips and use a dab of duco to seal them.

I'll also shorten The stall strap - Un-stitch it from the wrist strap and cut a half to three quarters off, then re-stitch it back to the wrist strap. It keeps the stalls pulled up tighter on the fingers.

After the glove has been used a good bit, the stalls will become loose on the fingers. I melt bees wax and pour a little into the stalls then quickly put them on.

If I were to soak the stalls for a stretched fit, I'd use rubbing alcohol... it dries much faster than water.

[arrow flynn]

Cut 1/4 inch oft the tips fingers go deeperinto. Glove enabling deep hook may need a stitch then go out and break it in. It will stretch soyou will need tl put a stich again.gives a good release. I think jason at hhill said he took 6th place at the Michigan shoot w a 60 lb bow and im sure he used a hhill glove.

[centaur]

Good luck. I tried shooting them off and on for several years before deciding that they weren't the glove for me. Kind of like bows; some fit you, others may be just as good but just don't feel right. I always loved the look of the HH gloves, but they just weren't my cup of tea.