Chopper Mitts

[Earlybird]

I just bought my first pair of chopper mitts/wool liner to try out, if the weather ever turns cold! Any suggestions on caring for them? Do you treat them with something like Sno-seal to waterproof them? Will use them for icefishing.

Thanks

[fishinnut]

I've had a pair of deer skin choppers for about 10 yrs. I treat them with Sno Seal and then heat them up with a blow drier so the leather absorbs the wax. Works for me.

[Eyez]

I use some old baseball mitt oil on them when they're new, neat's foot oil I think, and spray them with camp dry once a year, but not much else. They keep pretty well like that, but if you wanted real waterproof, you'd need something else.


Eyez

[T-Mac]

I have a couple of pairs that are over 30 years old!
Never did a thing to them. I think unhooking about 10,000 perch while wearing them ice fishing has probably kept them lubed up pretty good. :-) Mine are elk hide. Dear old Mom has knitted many sets of replacement liners for them.

[REW]

I just put mink oil on them every couple of years - or as needed.
If I don't get them wet, they need little care. If they get wet - let them dry and coat them with oil.

I then put them in the over for 5-10 minutes at about 150 degrees, to melt the oil into the leather.

I have had some of the mitts for a very long time indeed.

I have also found that the fox river all wool liners seem to give the most warmth.

I have also found - that if wind and water is not an issue - often the mittens alone without the outer "leather" choppers are often warmer.

Perhaps - the leather constricts the air space - as far as insulation is concerned.

p.s.
Another thing - if you don't already have - get a couple of extra pairs of liners.

That way, if one pair of liners get wet - you can squeeze the water out of the leather - put in the dry liners - and generally, only the outer surface of the linsers absorb moisture.

Particularlly, if you are shoveling, or some other hard work, where there may be sweat, or other moisture involved - the extra pair or pairs of liners can really keep your hands from frost bite.

Take care

REW

[Earlybird]

Thanks for the info!
Who sells the Fox River all wool liners? I think that is a great suggestion, to have a backup pair.

[EYESCHOOL]

T-Mac, You have choppers that are 30 years old? what did you kill that Elk with, a rock? Heh heh! (just kiddin') Man I gotta get me some Elk mits! Truth is, I've never had the same pair of gloves for a whole season. Either I loose loose em', or miss place em', before the years over with. So what's your secret to the longevity ownership of your mits T-Mac?

[EYESCHOOL]

If there is a Mill's fleet in your area? I've seen them there before. Otherwise, I think Gander Mountain has them. Fox River also makes Polyethylene liners which I feel, are even better yet.

[Starfish]

Here's a tip for those marginal conditions where it's just warm enough that you think maybe you can fish without the mitts, but it's still cold enough that your hands get numb. I've started bringing along a box of latex surgeons gloves. They make a huge difference, and you can still tie knots, etc. without taking them off. Then if I get cold I can pull on my mittens over the top. (I use mittens that are fairly large so I can throw them off easily.) Try it sometime. But-- some mittens stick to the latex and won't slip over the top of them.

[T-Mac]

The secret is..I keep 'em in my old slimy (ice fishin-only) snowmobile suit pockets. The only time I use them is cold, cold weather fishing...and Hey, you notice real fast (even us OLD guys) if you are missing one! :-)
Dang they just don't make rocks like they used to , either.

[EYESCHOOL]

That's good humor T-Mac! :-)

[Box]

I'd be nervous if my fishing buddy showed up with latex gloves on... ooooowwwWW!!!... ;)

hehe...

-Box

[Andy K]

Get the ones with the string that runs up one arm of your jacket and down the other, ( like when you were in grade school). LOL

Andy K/CO

[T-Mac]

Hey.....yeahhhh. I forgot about the string thing. That worked really well. LOL

[Backwater Eddy]

Rumor has it T-Mac has long johns twice as old as his choppers.

He treats them the same as the choppers too I hear?

:D

Teeee--Heee!!!

;)

Backwater Eddy ~ ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

[Starfish]

"turn your head and cough"...;-)

[EYESCHOOL]

Heh heh heh heh heh! Too funny Starfish!! :-)