Bushcraft Glove Prototype

M

MBTull

Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Messages
300
A buddy of mine who has a trad. archery shop showed me a prototype of elk-hide gloves that he is having made here in the USA for sale. He initially thought to market them to hunters and packers. I suggested he consider some additional features to make them into bushcraft gloves.

Thus far, we have agreed on a loop on each glove. The idea is to put one loop inside the other and then use a caribiner clip to hold the gloves together and to be able to clip them to your belt or pack.

If you guys let me know any additional features your would like to see, I will pass them along.

Also, if any of the guys with stores are interested, let me know and I will find out about a wholesale program for you.

Finally, what would you be willing to pay for a pair of elk-hide gloves, manufactured here in the USA, wholesale and retail. For wholesale, how many pairs of gloves would you be willing to buy to get the price?

Thanks!
 
I have always wanted to be able to snap my fingers and make fire ;). Seriously, I would love to see a product like that. My biggest complaint of off-the-shelf gloves is the loss of dexterity due to a lousy fit. If the stitching around the fingers is poorly executed, the shape eventually takes on a form of its own. Maybe some thicker leather in areas to protect from cuts and abrasion, and thinner where you need to rely on feel. I have paid as much as $50 bucks for a pair that were windstopper fleece, with leather palms. That combination of materials is warm, but I don't like fleece near fire. Anyway..cool idea- good luck.
 
Last edited:
Billbo66 said:
I have always wanted to be able to snap my fingers and make fire ;). Seriously, I would love to see a product like that. My biggest complaint of off-the-shelf gloves is the loss of dexterity due to a lousy fit. If the stitching around the fingers is poorly executed, the shape eventually takes on a form of its own. Maybe some thicker leather in areas to protect from cuts and abrasion, and thinner where you need to rely on feel. I have paid as much as $50 bucks for a pair that were windstopper fleece, with leather palms. That combination of materials is warm, but I don't like fleece near fire. Anyway..cool idea- good luck.
Click to expand...

I usually wear the Mechanix brand gloves when I'm hiking or in the field. You might look into trying some as they seem they might offer the specs you are looking for. Plus, they are well under $50. Generally, I've found the utility models work very well, but there all kinds with different protection in different areas.

http://www.mechanix.com

Sorry for the hijack. I'd be interested in a pair of them though if they were well made and under $25.
 
Last edited:
ejes said:
I usually wear the Mechanix brand gloves when I'm hiking or in the field. You might look into trying some as they seem they might offer the specs you are looking for. Plus, they are well under $50. Generally, I've found the utility models work very well, but there all kinds with different protection in different areas.

http://www.mechanix.com
Click to expand...

Wow, Mechanix makes a lot of different gloves. I have been looking for a good pair of all purpose gloves for the woods, which model do you use?

Sorry for going slightly off topic. ;)
 
I've bought a couple pair of Geier Kangaroo leather gloves (the driving ones). I've found these just awesome. I like the thinner leather and when they get wet and I dry them out, they aren't rock hard. Great for working around thorns, clearing brush, handling cookware on the fire/stove and chopping with an axe. If the elk gloves are pretty thin, I would be interested...if they could get them down to $20-30, that would be reasonable.

ROCK6
 
I use goatskin gloves for my Bush gloves; the cowhide one's are for in camp stuff. Cabela's sells Elk hide gloves I think, check their pricing and fit. It oo dislike any glove/material that causes a loss of dexterity, especially in the fingertips. If the material is thin enough for dexterity sometimes it's not thick enough to protect your hands from heavy thorns, sharp objects in the Bush. Also, breath ability comes into play when it's hot out. Obviously Winter gloves are a different set of rules all together. Some shooting type gloves work for outdoor gloves, but durability would be a different issue than 'feel' IME.
 
My biggest problem with gloves is finding any that fit...My hands are quite big. Thus, I am accustomed to not wearing gloves most of the time. I probably wouldn't be interested in a pair, but having a wide range of sizes is something to consider for others that have large hands and small hands...
 
I've always imagined getting a nice pair of deerskin/elkskin gloves like you see the cowboys wearing. I don't know what I'd pay for them but I've paid a good deal of money for other quality gear...
 
knifephan said:
Wow, Mechanix makes a lot of different gloves. I have been looking for a good pair of all purpose gloves for the woods, which model do you use?

Sorry for going slightly off topic. ;)
Click to expand...

They do make a ton of different ones. I've used the originals and the impact ones and they are both great. And they are cheap to replace if you wear them out. Another thread hijack...sorry. As for the original question, price is a consideration of value for me. I'm willing to pay more if I get more. The mechanix brand are a good price point for me. For around $25.00 you get a great fitting pair of gloves. Not many "tactical" gloves that I've tried can compete much with mechanix on a "bang for your buck" price point. Now if the glove were specially designed for archery or whatever, I might be willing to pay more. For example, I have a pair of Rocky gloves that I paid $35 for because they have a hole in the palm in order to run the arrow release through. That may be a feature you may want to consider in your style as it works great.
 
MBTull said:
The idea is to put one loop inside the other and then use a caribiner clip to hold the gloves together and to be able to clip them to your belt or pack.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a cool idea. My only suggestion is to find a more traditional way to do this. Most bushcrafters would not be caught dead seen with a carabiner. Sounds like I am being funny, but I am serious.

B
 
Just use a toggle on one and loop on the other glove's wrist area. Then just pass the loop through a belt loop on anything and put the long toggle through, now it's secured. Large-ish button might work too in place of the toggle. If your old enough you can recall the winter jackets that had these toggle style buttons on them down the front, if not, yer' a greenhorn!
 
IMO gloves aren't talked about enough. I always carry a pair of gloves in the thigh pocket of my pants.

I use an old pair of ropers that were given to me a long time ago. I like them because they are thin and I can still do things like tie knots with them on. Mac
 
pict said:
IMO gloves aren't talked about enough. I always carry a pair of gloves in the thigh pocket of my pants.

I use an old pair of ropers that were given to me a long time ago. I like them because they are thin and I can still do things like tie knots with them on. Mac
Click to expand...

I agree. I've worked around a lot of heavy military equipment, sharp objects or steel that has been sitting in 120+ degree temps and direct sun. Injuring a hand or finger can really impact your ability to function. I always have a pair of gloves on my person or in my pack (along with eyewear for the same reasons:thumbup:). I do like the addition of a small D-ring to clip to the belt of pack. I have a couple pair of very thin Kangaroo leather driver's gloves that I use a simple piece of 550 cord and cord lock to keep together and attach to my belt or pack.

Essentials1-1.jpg


ROCK6
 
Gloves good.
FWIW the finger tips in mine wear out first.
I generally buy the hardware store leather basic (read: cheap) gloves.
A couple of weeks ago Costco had Wells Lamont 3 packs so I grabbed one.

The bushcraft glove concept is interesting.
Can't wait to see how this plays out.

After the fingertips go, you can cut them off and have a pair of dandy leather sewing gloves :D
glovesgolok.jpg
 
Last edited:
Ebbtide said:
Gloves good.
FWIW the finger tips in mine wear out first.
I generally buy the hardware store leather basic (read: cheap) gloves.
A couple of weeks ago Costco had Wells Lamont 3 packs so I grabbed one.
[/IMG]
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's funny that I picked up a pair of gloves from Duluth Trading (caprenter gloves) that have the thumb and middle and index finger cut off. They actually work very well when at the range and I took them mountain biking last weekend and they worked quite well.

ROCK6
 
for a pair of gloves that I could work light cordage with, I'd pay 40-50cdn. the big thing I've found is that the finger-tips are often poorly done, so to tie knots and such I have to take the gloves off. right now I'm averaging 30 or so for mass produced ones that kinda work, so for a little more, if they were really good, I'd use them all the time!
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I am going to have my buddy ditch the carabiner and work on some type of toggle. I will pass along the advice regarding fingertips, durability, glove feel, etc.
 
Good topic.

I have carried deer skin gloves, and I love how you can get them wet and they don't turn to rock.

I have also used the Wells Lamont and Wally World version of the Mechanix, and the quality was better with the Wells Lamont, but I won't pay the Mechanix prices.

I am absolutely a believer in gloves, like a previous poster pointed out, a damaged finger or hand can really put the hurting on you, both functionally and in a survival situation, maybe more importantly, mentally.

Andy McNab tells a story of a guy who was taking the SAS survival course with him, and this guy was doing things the hard way, to prove that he could do it, and suffering mightily for it. And the instructors take on the whole thing was that the experience was hard enough without making it worse. And not every thing has to be a test of will or grit.

Sometimes, it is just better to put some gloves on, and keep your hands in top shape. That why Gloves go in the category.... Personal Protection

Marion
 
Last edited:
MDP,

Great post. I learned the hard way early on but having a thorn punch through my right index finger to the bone. OK that hurt but it got infected and blew up like a marble inside. This happened on the first day of an eight day survival trip. I ended up having to lance it to drain the puss because I couldn't bend my finger.

There is value in bearing the pain you can't avoid but not taking the steps to avoid the pain you can is just stupid. Mac
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top