I switched from using a glove to a tab a few months ago and saw improvement in my shooting. I have a black widow 3 under tab currently. But it is already entirely worn through the calve hair in places and it just feels like its at the end of its life. I really have not practiced as much I normally do and it is still pretty much shot. What are yalls opinions on the best/most durable 3 under tabs on the market?
I am sure many, including me, will say E.W. Batman from Texas. Best model for me is the ETAB in cordovan leather. It is not on their outdated website but you can call them.
Rod Jenkins of Safari Tuff makes a 3 under tab now that is great also. New associate sponsor on TG with handle Redcon1 makes nice looking tabs called Everlast archery tabs. They look similiar to a Bateman and I am sure they are great quality but they do cost more.
That is my .02
BW also makes cordovan leather tabs in addition to the calf-hair tabs. I use BWs and Batemans, but there are a lot of other good tabs out there as well. What's best is in the eye of the beholder.
My suggestion is to get away from the calf hair and use a cordovan leather instead. Which one will only come through trial and error. I have a Spigarelli and Batemans. Both excellent. The Spig is rather pricey though but is holding up incredibly well and I shoot a lot.
Cordovan is the way to go I see. Does anyone feel a huge difference in the feel of calf hair vs cordovan? I am talking about the feeling of releasing the arrow. Was it an easy adjustment?
Another vote for Cordovan leather. Very slippery and wears very well.
I will lose my cordovan tabs before I wear one out.
I used to order directly from bateman for my cordovan tabs.If you go that route he can send you a thinner and a thicker version and choose the one you like to order a backup, he kept that info on file for reorder.
My favorite tab now is the death adder which I believe is no longer available. To bad as it is a great tab and very durable. I can interchange the cordovan bateman and death adder without a change to shot.
Another vote for the bateman, and yea I carry an extra cause I tend to drop at least one a season out of the tree.
Don Ward at Eagle's Flight Archery.
(919) 563-2682
Really like my Blackwidow Superleather tab. I shoot a fairly heavy longbow and shoot it a lot. I've used nothing but this BW 3under tab for about five years, and it is still going strong, looks like it will last a fair bit longer too. Got two spares in the drawer but by the way this one is lasting, it might be a while before I need one.
Best
Lex
I've never shot with any 3 under cordovan tabs except my own hand made ones.
A cordovan tab will last forever and they give me my smoothest release.
Bateman can't wear them out !!
The safari tuff tab is my favorite
Sent you a PM.
Black Mamba T-2 is the best I've found, especially if you're a stringwalker.
www.blackmambaarchery.com (http://www.blackmambaarchery.com)
At EFA we make both the calf hair and cordovan tabs. They have a cordovan or calf hair string plate, a stiff leather palm tab, and a back plate usually of pigskin. On O-ring is used to comfortably attach to the middle finger. I like the calf hair for it's smooth release but the life is short. Our cordovan tab will last a long time. In fact you are more apt to lose it then to wear it out.
Recently we started making a version of this 3 under tab with sharkskin as the palm tab. Now we have cordovan, sharkskin, and pigskin combined favorably in a unique little tab. It's not yet on the website, but can be purchased by contacting us direct.
Check out Montana Bows, the Tolke's. They have a version as well.
Doesn't make a lot of difference in brands, although everyone has their favorite, as long as it's made of cordovan leather.
You can't wear the stuff out and it's the slickest stuff you'll ever find.
Most people don't know but it comes from the inside flank of a mule. This area has no hair follicles so the leather is absolutely smooth. Best release you can possibly get.
RW