I have seen some very simple ones and some more intricate metal ones with special features. Face and pad options are also plenty (leather,super leather,calf hair,seal skin,cordovan leather). I shoot longbows and recurves split fingers 55# @ 28".
What tab do you use and what would you recommend. Please explain the convenience and inconvenience of some.
Thanks
I've been using a simple calf hair tab for years and years. Item Number: 4045X on 3 Rivers site. I really can't elaborate more than that other than to say it's comfortable, simple and it works.
E.W Bateman. Cordovan leather. Very durable. God bless.
I've been a glove shooter for more than 50 years. Tried a number of tabs over the years and could never find one I liked or could get along with, for that matter. Finally stumbled upon a Black Widow calf-hair split finger tab. That's about all I use for targets now, though I still do hunt with a glove.
Bateman cordovan 3 under tab.
Saunder Pak-Tab is the only one I use. It is impervious to water and broke in out of the box!
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Saunders+Pak+Tab+Multi-Layer+Kit_i0801X_baseitem.html
Bisch
Pretty happy with the black widow three under at the moment.
E.W Bateman. Cordovan leather. Slick, smooth release, and very durable. I came from the target shooting ranks and shot Cavalier tabs for years. great tabs, but for hunting I much prefer the Bateman. Try one and you will see.
Really happy with the Eichler tab...
My own Recently made one with cortavan and am sold. I have tried them all from plactic tocalf, seal and artificial fabric. Mine are custom to my style and hand
I use the Neet calf hair tab with felt finger spacer. Just don't see how you could make a better tab.
X2 what monsterbuck said. Great tabs!
Saunders X2
Well this is interesting. I was going to order a large LH AAE Cavalier Elite cordovan finger tab but the replies have me reconsidering that purchase. I would like to go with cordovan so I think I will give the E.W Bateman a try. Black Widow ones are also of my liking, unfortunately they don't offer cordovan they only have super leather and calf air.
On some sites you can get a BW tab with a plastic Anchor support option. I wonder if this BW Anchor option would be of any help or just a bother.
I have been using a SAM for more years than I care to remember.
I finally bought a new one to break in just in case I ever lose my original. I can't see ever wearing one out.
It protects the fingers, allows for a smooth release and hangs from my wrist while I am climbing trees or eating a sandwich!
http://www.3riversarchery.com/super+archery+mitt++shooting+tab_i4410X_baseitem.html
3Rivers cordovan # 5088X
Black Widow, super leather, split finger. Bought two over two years ago and they are still going strong.
Been using and happy with Wilson tabs for 40+ years. The newer ones seem to be made for extra skinny arrows and I trim the opening for the nock larger.
Made a few out of cordavan 9 years ago all are brand new except the one I use. :thumbsup:
Been shooting a Black Widow Palm Tab for about 20 years.
Bateman cordovan
This is getting monotonous.
Bateman in split finger, and cordovan of coarse.
I make my own tabs. I shoot three under so I make a plain tab with no split. I bought a 1/2 hide of light saddle skirting from Tandy(around 12 oz. leather). I also bought a couple of 1 sq. ft. pieces of Horoween cordovan. The cordovan cost more than the saddle skirting. I cut the tab body out of the saddle skirting. I skive the end of the tab to taper the thick saddle skiting down to almost nothing. A small piece of cordovan is sewn 1/2 way back on the tab and extends out beyond the tab body. I shoot off of the pads of my fingers 1/2 way between the tips and the first joint. The combined thickness of the saddle skirting and cordovan is very thick where I hold the string but tapers down to only the very thin cordovan where the string rolls off my finger tips on the release. This gives me a very clean release and yet gives my fingers plenty of prtection from the string. It takes a while for the saddle skirting to break in but once it does it is very supple. The cordovan just gets slicker and slicker with use. I shoot between 10 and 50 arrows out of various bow almost every day and I have a tab that is a about 9 months old that shows no signs of wearing out with several thousand shots from it. I have a couple of Kodiak Magnums that I shoot at my draw length of 28+" with no finger pinch or discomfort. I have tried a couple of different commercial tabs but my own are far superior, at least for me anyway
I use a SAM also. It's what I started out with more years ago than I want to admit..never saw the need to change.
I am keeping count.
6 x E.W Bateman
5 x Wilson Black Widow
3 x Saunders
3 x Home made
1 x Neet
2 x Sam
1 x 3 Rivers 4050x
8 x Cordovan
4 x Calf hair
2 x unknown
1 x Super leather
I am keeping count.
6 x E.W Bateman
5 x Wilson Black Widow
3 x Saunders
3 x Home made
1 x Neet
2 x Sam
1 x 3 Rivers 4050x
8 x Cordovan
4 x Calf hair
2 x unknown
1 x Super leather
QuoteOriginally posted by hgsnpr:
Black Widow, super leather, split finger. Bought two over two years ago and they are still going strong.
I like the BW tabs as well. Can't justify the price of a BW bow but their tabs fit well. I add a finger spacer.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/HPIM2276.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/HPIM2275.jpg)
It looks more like 5 unknown/not mentioned facing
Finger no pinch spacer added on a BW tab nicely done. How does the Super leather work, is it slick.
QuoteOriginally posted by Biathlonman:
Really happy with the Eichler tab...
X 2
I've recently changed from a BW to a SAM. The SAM protects the fingers real well. For me, it's perfect. I also used the Bateman, but didn't care for how thin it was.
I have to agree with the Saunders, great tab. Slick and last forever, well if I never lost them that is .
3 eichlers.,,.so far the best, when I owned my shop I sold all the ones mention and I'm not a fan of any particular endorser, I love his tabs.
I've shot several different types over the years, but prefer Fred Eichler cordovan tabs. They are thin and provide a good feel of the string, which I like. They also hold up extremely well (don't wear out).
Saunders PAK tabs for me.
I can't believe no one has mentioned the cordovan tabs made by Scott Teaschner. I have 4 of them and think they are the best I have ever used. I also Like the Bateman cordovan tabs and have several of those, although they have not seen much use since I got the tabs from Scott. I have been shooting one of Scott's tabs for a year, and it is good as new. I only bought the others to make sure I always have one, even if I lose a couple. I had Scott put kangaroo backing on mine, but it's not necessary, especially with bows below 50 pounds. When shooting a 60 or 70 pound bow, I like the extra padding.
Allan
I stopped looking for finger protection when I bought my first Cavalier elite from 3Rivers. I have two and love them. I don't use the finger spacer or chin flat. I shoot 3 fingers under.
I know they are salty but I've been using the same one for more than two years. My back-up simply stays stashed in my pack in case I drop or forget my go-to while hunting.
I tried two different tabs when I went traditional, including the Neet calf hairtab and a plastic tab with elastic finger band (brand?). I ended up going with a glove, and settled on a 3Rivers Duraglove.
This summer i tried a tab a again but could not get a consistent release. I ordered a Fred Eichler tab based on product reviews but was worried about not having a finger spacer.
It took a few weeks of shooting tab only, but I feel like I get a much smoother release with the Eichler tab. I was afraid it would be too thin, but my fingers hold up well shooting this tab. Its thinness lets me feel the string without feeling pain.
I am definitely a fan of the Eichler tab and will be buying a backup shortly.
saunders mono tab in small. the medium and large are a little thicker. i open up the finger hole with a razor blade so it fits my finger. i then back it with 3mm neoprene.
super slick, comfy and never wears out. tried a bunch, but this works best for me.
second would be dan toelke's tab
third would be cordovan
I've always preferred the Black Widow super leather tabs. I shoot 3 under but I use one made for split finger and one made for 3 under and they both work great. The one made for split, I've had since the '90s and it's my back-up tab, still works though.
These are extremely tough tabs that last like, forever. I've been very pleased with them.
Another vote for the Fred Eichler tab. After playing with several other brands this has been my tab of choice for about 2 years.
I all so like the bateman corovan threeunder
Been making my own for years, based on the Bateman 3-under tab. I like a thick tab, so I use saddle skirting from a local Amish harness shop. Very easy to do.
Where would someone get a piece of CORDOVAN leather to make some finger tabs (internet, local shoe cobbler, Tandy). Also what would be the thickness needed.
I have been using a cordovan tab from Screaming Eagle back when Paul Brunner was in business and am still using them. No divider, no calf hair, just a plain thin cordovan tab. I get a real good feel of the string with them. As long as some good cordovan leather is avaiable, it would be real simple to trace, cut, and duplicate.
Bateman cordovan.
I cut my own from discarded LL Bean boots. One pair can yield a dozen tabs and last for years.
QuoteOriginally posted by LC:
I use the Neet calf hair tab with felt finger spacer. Just don't see how you could make a better tab.
x2
I bought about 10 of them a couple of years ago, and they last long for me, shoot well, and are cheap!
You can buy cordovan leather from Horween in Chicago. It is not cheep! I bought three remnants that were semicircles about 16 to 18 " long and about to 8" wide. Processing the order and shipping was $30 the pieces were $30 apiece. I contacted Eric Frank at eric.tanneryrow@gmail.com to buy mine.
While it is expensive, one piece is probably a lifetime supply. I only use a piece on the end of the tab about 2-1/2" wide and 1 to 1-1/4 " long. The body of the tabs I make out of saddle skirting I got from Tandy.
The nice thing about Cordovan is that even with very thin pieces it is etremely tough. Also, as you use it, it just gets slicker and slicker. I have made four tabs and the oldest one has had thousands of arrows shot from it. It is my best one.
Bateman....two years with it......still going strong.
I use a Neet cordovan tab. It's simple, comfortable, the right thickness, thin enough to carry an extra anywhere, wears forever & broke in right out of the pack. You can buy two of them from The Nocking Point for about $20 shipped. For me, they can't be beat.
I used to use a calfhair with finger seperater, but switched to a Fred Eicler tab 2 years ago, great tab wears like iron.
Cordovan 3 under tab from 3 Rivers Archery.
Usually I won't add my opinion if I'm just stating the same thing everyone else has. I had to put my two cents in because only one other person has mentioned the cordovan tabs made by Scott Teaschner. I have two, they come broken in and shooting great. I love how simple they are as well as how the extra rings really help when switching to thicker gloves come cold weather. They are fairly cheap and I highly recommend trying one.
I've shot the black widow super leather for many years.
Black widow super leather 3 under tab. I lime the thickness for pulling a heavier bow, it is also extremely durable.
I have a drawer full if tabs. Get used to a cavalier elite and all the rest feel lousy. Bill
EW Bateman split finger calf hair.
Add another for the Bateman cordovan tab.
QuoteOriginally posted by Biathlonman:
Really happy with the Eichler tab...
Same here!
I have a bateman and like it...would be interested in trying out some of the new 3 under tabs that just came out this year to see if there is any real difference.
Bateman three under :thumbsup:
Ordered 3 different split finger tabs so I can try them first hand and see what I like and which one works best for me. I should have them soon, I will try them and get back with my first impressions.
The tabs are:
-E.W Bateman LH split finger cordovan with elastic band and finger separator.
-Black Widow LH split finger super leather.
-AAE Cavalier Elite LH split finger cordovan.
BW Palm Tab
Bateman Cordovan 3-under.
I tried the Cavalier Elite and the BW tabs as well, but the Bateman works the best for me.
Black widow split finger/spacer
Yves, I think you will find that the Cavalier Elite tab will be the hardest one to get use to, at least it was for me. The metal plate always seems to be in the way, but I now have my best release using it. It really helped me with getting a deep hook and stopped me from torquing the bow string. It felt very awkward at first, but it was time well spent for me.
I make my own three under tabs. They are very much like a neet palm tab.
I am also a big fan of the Scott Teaschner cordovan tab. THe rubber O ring is a great feature making it easy to spin the tab to the back of your hand when not shooting. The string feel is very good.
Well I received the various finger tabs I had ordered and after clearing out the snow from a record snowfall we just had, I found some time to shoot my bows to try out those new tabs.
Here are my first impressions.
Bateman:
This is a very simple well made cordovan tab. I use a large glove and ordered a large Bateman and the fit is perfect no trimming needed. It is close to shooting with a glove there are no index ridges or reference to but the string this is fine if you don't have problems finding a deep solid hook. If you are good using a glove you should do well with this tab. I was able to shoot good from the start with the Bateman. The cordovan and suede padding are thin and give a good string feel w/o finger sting with FF string on a #50 bow. What I like about this tab is that it is solid light weight well made and yet very effective. You tend to forget you have it on your hand. For the average price of $10 this is a steel.
Wilson Black Widow super leather:
This tab is somewhat more elaborate than others in the all leather category. It feels comfortable and offers more padding than the Bateman. The red leather overlap top part offers a small squared ridge to but the string that I like. The velcro finger strap I don't like and would prefer a stretch band. The large tab was to long but easy to trim to my size. The tab shoots well and the super leather is similar to cordovan. Having something to but my string square at anchor helps getting good repeated groups.If you snap shoot instinctively on the go you are better off with a glove or a Bateman tab.
This tab is more suited for someone that prepares his shots. There is a bulk feel in the hand that lets you know it is there at all times. Over all this is a good low priced nice well made tab.
AAE Cavalier Elite cordovan:
I was not so keen on getting this tab thinking that it had more to do with target shooting.I am a mechanic and machinist by trade and I have a particular appeal for well designed metal parts so I could not resist getting this metal/cordovan mouse trap. I first used this tab with the thumb shelf and finger separator. I replaced the lace finger cord with an elastic round one that permits easy flipping of the tab on the back hand when you need the tab out of the way. On that tab you can but the string square against the aluminum ridge for repeated accuracy . Once I found a good anchoring I was able to repeat outstanding shots.
The bulk of the tab is an offset, I removed the thumb shelf to ease things for the better. Like Old Chief said stick with it and you will get good and like it. Well I think that's what I am going to do.
This tab is not as comfortable has I would like it. At first I could only get good shots using the straight up target shooting form, but now w/o the shelf permitting a more stable anchor on my cheek bone I can shoot my bow with a slight cant like I prefer.
I found on the net drawings with measures of the various sizes of this tab. From that I made some light cardboard templates that I could try in my hand, the large size seemed the proper fit. My order went in for a large and it turned out perfect w/o having to do any customizing.
Bateman/ cordovon
Mulot thanks for the review. I was looking forward to it. Very helpful.