Leather Quality for Gloves

[youngheartoldsoul]

I know kangaroo is supposed to be the best, and I think I read here somewhere nubuck is the worst. I have a suede leather glove right now, and while I can use it okay, it's not the most flexible of leather gloves. Another falconer let me wear his kangaroo leather glove for comparison and my fingers could move much better. It's made me want to seek out a better quality glove but I'm unable to afford a kangaroo leather glove at the moment. Can anyone lay out a chart or list for me from worst to best leather material for gloves? I would appreciate it a lot. I don't know what's better out of the three: suede, goatskin, or cowhide. 

[desertaire]

What kind of bird are you flying, that will help determine the thickness?

[youngheartoldsoul]

Redtail. I was just asking which leather was more movable when you wore it.

[MarkT]

Goat skin is the way to go. If you want a nice custom glove at a very reasonable price, call Traditions Gloves and request a catalog. They don't have a website.

Traditions Glove
30469 S. Ditmore Rd.
Worlery, Idaho 83876
208-686-1936

[gabrielgarza]

I am very happy with my glove from them.

[bigskyperegrine]

Yes, kangaroo leather falconry gloves are superb, but a good quality deer skin glove that fits your hand well will do the job very nicely.  Dependinig on the raptor, small or large talons will of course need to be considered with regard to thickness protection, but I have had many specialized glove alterations made by a shoe repair person for not much money.  Gauntlets sewn on, additional leather protection pieces sewn on in just the right places, starting with only a nice fitting deer skin glove.  I have used kangaroo gloves and deer skin gloves with equal satisfaction, but when the time comes and you can afford the kangaroo glove, go for it. 

[robhawkyyz]

they all seem stiff at first and will be broken in, in short time but, for price wise and flexibility along with protection from a grippy redtail a lot of falconers and me also have been happy with these. www.westernsporting.com/FE1287/Long-Cuff-Cowhide-Gauntlet-Extra-Heavy-Duty-Use.html

[echotadog]

Goat, Elk and Bison leather all, are supple and soft when worn, and incredibly durable leathers for larger raptors.

Of the standard gauntlets being sold by most the suppliers of falconry products, I've never found a nubuck glove that would last an entire season of squirrel hawking - smacking trees and thick briars, even simply carrying a beating stick in the gloved hand , usually have the seams coming apart in short order.

I would agree with MarK T , the TRADITIONS gloves are fully custom fit and amazingly durable. The goat leather and Jim's stitching are bomb proof. I've had 2 traditions gloves in the last few years - only reason for the second one was me dropping the first one in the field and not finding it. For 8-12 dollars more than the standard Nubuck Pakistani gloves most suppliers sell - it's a no brainier for me -

Also- AURELIA at CAZADOR FALCONRY makes custom gloves from Bison and other quality leathers if you decided to go that route.
Their link is cazadorleather.com/gloves
CAZADOR is very accommodating to the falconers needs and wishes - and will work with you on custom "ideas" for anklets and hoods as well.

[Falcon Boy]

Aurelia can make gloves out of Bison, but currently (12/2/2014) she's not really actively selling or advertising them. She made a few 'summer gloves' this summer, and has made a few of the full gauntlets, but with it being trapping/flying season they are simply too time consuming to make right now with all the hood/squirrel buster anklet orders she gets. The most current information about her gear is on facebook, www.facebook.com/CazadorFalconry I have not updated her other website in months, it's on my to-do list.

I'm currently using one of the bison gloves and it is truly amazing. Super supple and so far my redtail hasn't punctured it. It is the best glove I've ever used (It's been probably 1-2 months now). The primary advantage compared to elk is that this bison she has is even more supple, but my bird still has not gone through it.

If I were in your shoes right now looking for a glove in a realistic time period, I'd contact Traditions. If Aurelia can streamline the glove making process down the line than she will be a good option, but right now Traditions is the place to go for a custom one. If you don't want a custom one, I've had decent luck with Elk gauntlets. I don't like cow or nubuck leather.

[talonsgrip22]

Nov 27, 2014 10:44:47 GMT -5 echotadog said:

Goat, Elk and Bison leather all, are supple and soft when worn, and incredibly durable leathers for larger raptors.

Of the standard gauntlets being sold by most the suppliers of falconry products, I've never found a nubuck glove that would last an entire season of squirrel hawking - smacking trees and thick briars, even simply carrying a beating stick in the gloved hand , usually have the seams coming apart in short order.

I would agree with MarK T , the TRADITIONS gloves are fully custom fit and amazingly durable. The goat leather and Jim's stitching are bomb proof. I've had 2 traditions gloves in the last few years - only reason for the second one was me dropping the first one in the field and not finding it. For 8-12 dollars more than the standard Nubuck Pakistani gloves most suppliers sell - it's a no brainier for me -

Also- AURELIA at CAZADOR FALCONRY makes custom gloves from Bison and other quality leathers if you decided to go that route.
Their link is cazadorleather.com/gloves
CAZADOR is very accommodating to the falconers needs and wishes - and will work with you on custom "ideas" for anklets and hoods as well.

[talonsgrip22]

I can't agree more. Excellent leather choices. Also, fit is just as important as leather choice. TRADITIONS is the maker I like. Jim can also tell you how best to clean and store your glove.

[megapode]

Dec 4, 2014 13:14:11 GMT -5 talonsgrip22 said:

Jim can also tell you how best to clean and store your glove.

I also have a Traditions glove for myself out of Elk, I believe he also makes longwing gloves in goat ($62) and a western sporting cowhide glove for my son ($42).
I clean the gloves by giving a shot of water from the spray bottle while cleaning blood and bits of meat off the hawk's feet. The gloves all stain and look like crap after a few months anyway. The longest lasting glove I kept was for 2 seasons because I liked the fit (Traditions), but a hawk eventually poked a hole in the double layer finger. I prefer to get a new glove each season or upon getting a new Bird. The leather harbors bacteria and hardens up over time. Oils / leather conditioners make the bacteria worse and disinfectants such as bleach ruin the leather and can be off putting for the bird.
As for storage, I hang it on a peg in the mews or attached to the hawk box, nowhere else. The glove should always be within reach when you need it, not in the car or garage or house.