My first question is, if I shoot with a medium glove should I order a medium tab?
Next I would like to get a good quality tab like a Safari Tuff. So those of you that shoot with them what are your thoughts about them? Do they take a while to break in? Is the transition from a glove to a tab pretty easy. I have been shooting American Leathers glove for about 8 years now and just want to give the tab a try. Thanks in advance for your help
Steve, I too was a glove shooter for a long time and switched to a tab over a year ago. After trying many different tabs I went with the Eichler tab from 3 Rivers. I have a Safari Tuff tab that is for a split finger RH shooter and I believe it's a size large but you are welcome to it. PM me your address if you want it.
Fred
Steve, many years ago I ran into a well known traditional bowyer. We got to talking tabs and he educated me on his philosophy on sizing. According to him most people shoot a tab that is to big. Basically if you shoot or wear a large glove you should go down one size to a medium and in some cases maybe a small tab. I found that switching to a smaller size tab really helped me out with my shooting.
Some people complain about tabs slapping them on the shot, but this is usually due to shooting an incorrect size( to large). I switched to a tab 15 years ago and have never thought about a glove again. Especially after I found the correct tab size. Good luck.
I always buy a large tab and then trim it down some. Don't be afraid to make it work for you. I also believe yhey take a few weeks to break in.
Tab sizes are based on width, NOT length. The length of a tab is made to be trimmed to proper length while the width stays as made. If you can try some on; see if the tab width is just SHORT of the top of the index finger and just SHORT of the bottom of the ring finger. In other words, the tab selected should be JUST less than the width of your three string fingers.
My Cavalier Elite medium is 2&5/8 Inches wide and my fingers measure 2&3/4.
Arne
I switched to a tab and it took me at least a couple weeks to get used to but I hung in there and would never go back to a glove. I shot a medium glove and now a medium black Widow tab
Try a medium, but also try a large. As recommended before, you can trim one down a little if you need to do so. I have noticed that an overly large tab may be a bit noisier than a well fitted one. To me, once the right size is determined, a tab is a tab is a tab. No particular brand or style makes much difference. If it protects my fingers, then it is good to go. Don't over think a tab - when one works and feels good to you, the search is over. After a few sessions, the tab will feel natural.
QuoteOriginally posted by moebow:
Tab sizes are based on width, NOT length. The length of a tab is made to be trimmed to proper length while the width stays as made. If you can try some on; see if the tab width is just SHORT of the top of the index finger and just SHORT of the bottom of the ring finger. In other words, the tab selected should be JUST less than the width of your three string fingers.
My Cavalier Elite medium is 2&5/8 Inches wide and my fingers measure 2&3/4.
Arne
Do you measure with your fingers extended or curled? When you curl your tab around the string, does it come to the end of your fingers?
I have had good luck with the Black Widow cordovan tab. I shot a glove for years but couldn't go back now. Bateman is good also.
McDave, If you are asking about the length, it is after you have taken the hook, have a little pressure on the string; THEN, the tab should be 1/4 to 3/8 inch SHORT of your finger tips. So, curled.
Arne
Arne, if someone had asked this question earlier and you had posted your answer earlier, I would not have had to invent the wheel :)
That is exactly what I wound up with after trimming until it no longer smacked me in the lip. Sounds way to short, but when the tab flips my fingers out of the way upon release, the string never touches my fingers and the tab never flips my lip. You described it perfectly.
I've tried to like a tab,but I still like a glove better. I was recently looking on Stalker Stickbows website,and saw a good video by Ryan Sanpei.
My favorite tab so far has been from Don Ward. I went out and tried the way Ryan showed in his video,and did pretty good. You should check this video out.
Thanks for all of your advice guys, this place is awesome! Fred I sent you a PM. Very helpful information here. I just got back in from pulling stands out and was pleasantly surprised by all of your posts.
I was waiting for the end of deer season to try the change and here it is. I'm looking forward to giving it a honest effort. Thanks again,
Steve Jr
Didactic responses...thank you...
I wear an XL gloves and get a medium tab (3 rivers cordovan). I grip the string and see how much I have to trim off the front.
I take off a little at a time until I have it just past my fingers when I grab the string.
I'm doing the same thing, trying out a tab. I shoot 3 under and this has been a helpful thread. Thanks guys!
To start I would get a medium EW Bateman ETAB and thank me later. Safari Tuff also very good. Get Cordovan regaless.
Do yourself a huge favor. Get a medium SAM tab from Three Rivers. The best tab there is. Complete finger protection and great string feel.
QuoteOriginally posted by moebow:
McDave, If you are asking about the length, it is after you have taken the hook, have a little pressure on the string; THEN, the tab should be 1/4 to 3/8 inch SHORT of your finger tips. So, curled.
Arne
My tab extends 3/8" or a tad more PAST my finger tips when I do as you have said above. Should I trim it back so it is 1/4" short of my finger tips?
That would be my recommendation 8up. It will depend on your personal release technique but with a good release, you shouldn't have any "finger protection" problem and will eliminate any tab/face interaction.
Arne
Since my season is over....well it never got started, but that's another story I will trim it even with my finger tips firat and if that does well I will slowly trim it until I get it 1/4" short. I switched to a tab a year ago but never knew how the sizes were measured or how far to trim it. Thanks for the info Arne.
I wear a Bateman tab. I buy a large than trim a tiny bit off. For a perfect fit.tabs works best for me
This has been very helpful, I'm really looking forward to the change.
Thanks a lot guys!
Steve Jr
Trimmed my tab to the tips of my fingers this morning and shot a few arrows without any issues. Went ahead and trimmed it to 1/4" short of the tips and shot another dozen or so arrows and again no issues. I really like the way it feels now that it is shorter so thanks for starting this thread and for all the info it provided. I think I will go shoot a few more now.
Thanks for sharing your experience and results 8up. I'm looking forward to trying out all of these helpful tips myself. Excellent info here :thumbsup:
Steve Jr
Arne,
Thanks for the wisdom. I never knew about trimming the tab. Mine is a quarter inch past my fingers on the curl.
It makes sense that I would get some string drag on the tab without the trim and a cleaner release with the trim.
Paul
I use the tab from 3Rivers identified as "Cordovan Leather Shooting Tab,Item Number: 5088X". I have a small to medium sized hand, and find that the medium size works best.
This tab has a cordovan face flap of just the right thickness, and a suede rear flap. Assuming you shoot split finger, the rubber finger separator is very comfortable. It has an infinitely adjustable stretchy loop which will accommodate any size finger as well as gloves. Finally, the price seems reasonable.
Best wishes,
Frank