Hill Bow Grip Style Problem

[Kevin Hansen]

Here's a problem that I've had for years. Just curious if anyone else has ever had the same???
I've owned a couple of Hill style bows during the past 25 years. I LOVE shooting them, holding them, and just plain looking at them. For me there is a different feel to the experience when I shoot an animal with one. The one thing that has caused me to trade my Hill bow both times is that in colder weather (I'm talking single digits and lower.) when I am forced to wear gloves the extra bulk ends up pushing the arrow up off the shelf when I go to shoot. This is due to the inherent shape of the Hill bow's handle. If I'm really careful and methodical I can grip the bow in a way that keeps the excess glove material down low where it isn't a problem, but in hunting situations there often isn't time to be so precise. Anyone else experience this problem in colder weather?
I'm asking because I'm in the process of talking myself into/out of ordering another Hill. I know I can just hunt with it in the early season and retire it when the weather turns cold, but I'm the type of person who likes to carry the same weapon on all my hunts.
I await your thoughts...

[Molson]

You could ask Craig to radius the shelf front and rear which may put the arrow up just enough above your grip to avoid that problem.

[Kevin Hansen]

Good suggestion, Molson.

[dragonheart]

Kevin don't know if this would help, but the older Hill's and Schulz bows had a wedge of leather to keep the arrow on the rest.  It sticks up and helps to keep the arrow on.  I get better arrow flight with it.  Opinions may vary.  Would that help? Here is a photo.  

   

 

[Looper]

Take a measurement of the width of your hand, with the glove on, and have Craig make the grip long enough for you. I have the same problem on my Halfbreed, but with a barehand, a glove makes it worse. The handle is just too short for me. I make do, but I have to be particular about my fletch position.

[Kevin Hansen]

dragonheart;
Thanks for the pics. I can see where the leather wedge would help keep the arrow from falling off to the side, but my problem is with my glove actually raising the arrow up off the shelf. I don't even realize it is up off the shelf, until I shoot high.
looper;
My handle is long enough as I can move my hand down further below the shelf, but then I'm not positioned in the "sweet spot" and the release just doesn't feel right.
I think Molson's suggestion of a radiused shelf makes a lot of sense.
Anyone have other ideas?

[bicster]

What about creating a radiused shelf by putting something under the shelf pad? It would be cheaper than buying a new bow only to find it didn't work.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Cold? What's that? I am not familiar with this term. Is it an Americanism?

[Swamp Yankee]

I'm wondering if the builder of your next Hill style bow wouldn't be able to just tiller the bow for a little lower dynamic center; more like a three under tillered bow?  Worth a discussion with the bowyer I'd think.  Of course then you'd still have to grip the bow low even without the glove.

[Kevin Hansen]

Good point, bicster.
Ben, you lucky dog, you! Go ahead and rub it in!
Swamp Yank, definitely worth discussing in depth with the maker of my next bow. I plan on presenting several of these ideas when that time comes.

[onewhohasfun]

I have raised the shelf on a bow using a wine bottle cork and some Barge cement. I cut a 3/8" wedge and shaped it with an emery board. Put the calf hair over that.

[Nate Steen .]

[Nate Steen .]

Hello there...I personally don't like to shoot with gloves on the bowhand because my arrow does the same thing and I don't want to grip the bow lower to compensate as this changes tiller......so what to do?

 John at American leathers has come out with a new cold weather glove made especially for this situation.  He and I shoot longbows and have tried every style of glove or mitt out there.  His new glove is the answer.  It is made of polarfleece but is very snug fitting with grip pads where needed to grip a bow and nock arrows with dexterity.  With his new glove I can shoot my longbows as I normally do without altering my grip or affecting arrow flight. And they are warm.  They are sewn differently from other hand gloves so that you can trim your fingertips as necessary for a glove or tab and they won't ravel.  Great stuff....call him for more info....I heartily endorse them for cold weather shooting...remember they need to fit snug.

[Kevin Hansen]

Thanks, sunset!
Sounds like a good deal. I'll definitely check them out.

[ChuckC]

Wear a very light weight glove and use some sort of muff with heater packs in it to keep your hands warm.  Take you hand out only when it is needed.
ChuckC

[Gordon Jabben]

I think the leather wedge that dragonheart shows in the pictures is a pressure point to keep your hand lower on the bow handle not keep the arrow from falling off the shelf.  I know the wedge as a locator keeps your hand in the same place on the handle.

[Michigan Mark]

I wear thick wool gloves with leather palms and inside of the fingers and never had that problem when hunting/shooting the Hill bows both having straight grips. You might try putting a piece of some type of material to make the glove section on your hand that holds your bow glove such as duct tape to not be so bulky. Just a thought.

[Shakes.602]

For "Inclement" Weather, try a "Feather Rest", it will get the Arrow Shaft Up off the Shelf just a Wee Bit. Maybe that would get the Clearnce you seek?   ALL  the Ideas here are good ones!      

[Kevin Hansen]

Lots of food for thought here.
Chuck, I use a hand muff with chemical warmers and as light weight gloves as I can get by with...often times with no gloves at all. When it gets bitter cold out though I'm forced to using heavier gloves and that is when I run into problems.

[dragonheart]

In cooler weather I used insulated golf gloves.  Snug fit, still have the "feel" of the handle.  For cold weather I will be checking out these that American Leathers has.