I've been shooting traditionally for a relatively short time, 3 years or so, and have never tried a tab until now. My groups were pretty good before but now they've obviously improved. 5 inch groups or so from 25 yards. Has anyone experienced this during the glove to tab transition. I hate to love it because I've always been partial to the "feel" of a glove. Does it seem weird that I now feel I'm almost cheating on my glove,lol. Any thoughts welcome, come out and play.
All the best shooters I know use a tab! There has to be something to it! You can wear warm gloves and still use the same tab. You have your finger tips free to do things without removing your glove! Only way to go IMHO!!!
I started with a glove years ago. My cousin was shooting a tab,and said it was better and because I was young and impressionable I did it. It was hard to get used to. But then harder to do was switch from SPLIT to 3 UNDER. after making that difficult change. Ill never switch from here.
I always shot a glove but my buddy talked me into trying a tab last year and I absolutely love it now. I get such a cleaner release and I have no problems hunting with it. Slips right over a thin glove and I'm good to go.
E. W. BATEMAN Tabs. I use the ETAB model, not listed on site but best one they make IMO. It has extra layer for string indexing and Cordova leather face. :thumbsup:
Dont get one to big. Small or medium is all you need. Again IMO.
I went from glove to tab and never looked back!
It's personal preference. Apparently there is high speed video that shows you get a cleaner release with a tab...but I think that probably depends on the person shooting the bow! I doubt one is significantly better than the other at hunting range. Go with which ever feels best. I prefer a tab.
Glove here-Hap
Tab for me. I'm also a fan of the E. W. Bateman.
I shoot a tab for two reasons.
1. I have never found a glove that fit all three of my fingers well, and
2. In colder weather, my finger tips seem to get colder with the finger stalls, as opposed to a normal glove with a tab.
I have also found that not all tabs (or gloves) are created equal. My favorite has proven to be an EW Bateman with the rubber finger separater. The cordovan face provides a nice slick release with out getting the 'string groove', and the extra layer of leather on the back provides a little more protection without sacrificing feel. And they last forever! The one I'm currently using has seen thousands of arrows, and some very wet weather throughout the last two and a half years.
Tab for me, would rather shoot glove but it seemed that everytime I got glove broke in, it was wore out. Cordovan tabs last forever.
Tab guy for many many years.
D.P.
I actually use both as my ring finger is relatively longer than average and the tip of the ring finger sometimes gets slightly "ticked" by the string at release when using a BW tab only.
So.....I cut the middle finger out of a thin, inexpensive glove to allow the middle finger to slip through the loop on the tab and it works to perfection. Sounds weird I know but it works.
Doug
Tab for me, usually make my own
I always had trouble with the tab interfering with my trigger release aid.
"Just Kidding"
I use a glove.
A tab has real world hunting application benefits that are often overlooked. With a glove, you better have in on, because you won't be getting it on quickly, if need be. With a tab, you can get one on in seconds and with little movement.
In addition, a tab is much nicer when on stand, be it treestand or ground hunting. I now hunt exclusively from the ground. With a finger hole tab I can flick it out of the way while keeping it on or easily remove it with no noise and minimal movement. Then I can take a sip out of the thermos, eat a snack, go thru my pack, grab a grunt tube and even take a leak if need be, all quickly and without having to take a glove off and on again.
For these reasons alone, a tab beats a glove and one should try to use a tab. For shooting, I started with a glove in 1978 and shot a glove for a long time. I also shot split finger. I now shoot 3 under with an Ol' Buff elk hide tab. The best 3 under tab made, in my opinion.
Thumb ring. My fingers won't operate right for either glove or tab. But in the past it was glove.
This is some awesome feedback. Glad to hear it all:)
Shot both back and forth for a while and finally settled on a tab. Clearly the best and most consistent for me. Currently shooting the same Bateman cordovan for about 5 years.
Rod Jenkins tab for me
I was recommended a tab by a famous coach in the UK, Pip Bickerstaffe, but I chose to ignore him and shoot with something like Byron Fergusson...
I lost one of the removable fingers and bought a tab, last week, just to tied me over until I find the missing finger...
Well, what a difference... My release is so much cleaner and I am resolved now to listen to what people with more experience than me say...
Cheers
ALex
I shoot OK with a glove, I shoot much better with a tab, however, the glove hides my hand and the tab requires some other means to hide my hand.
ChuckC
I find I personally shoot better with a glove. Some cornstarch on the stalls makes for a very smooth release.
I'm a big fan of the Black Widow Stick-Tite glove, without the nylon. Like how the design keeps the stalls tight to your fingers!
I always preferred a tab when I shot compounds.
After switching to trad it been a glove. Started with an American leathers big shot then went to a thinner neat glove,with calf hair tips the to a Damascus then I tried a Bateman cordovan tab this year and could not get the feel of it I went back to an American leathers big shot I like the protection I get a clean release and my accuracy has improved overall.
In theory a tab should be more accurate but I don't find that to be true for everyone. There are some great shooters who shot or shoot using gloves.
Fred Bear, Howard Hill, Byron Ferguson, Terry Green, Rick Welch, just to name a few :goldtooth:
I shot a glove for about 50 years. Started shooting a tab several years ago. Now I shoot a tab during the summer for targets, 3D and stumping, and a glove for hunting. Faster for me to put the glove into action. Easier to grab an arrow out of the quiver and put it on the string and shoot, without looking down at the string to get my fingers/tab properly aligned on the string. I think I get a cleaner release with a tab, but accuracy really doesn't change.
Well.....um......well....generally speaking, I shoot a Three Rivers Dura glove. I like a bit of string feel and the Dura glove provides that and shoots well. I have noticed a difference from one to the next but, a quality product that works well.
I know that "olympic archers shoot tabs" and realize that there probably is some benefit there. I've shot a tab a couple of seasons and try one off and on and it works well. Strange to get used to after shooting the glove. What now?
I watched Mike Hays (owner / bowyer of Black Canyon Bows) shoot without a tab or glove or anything this weekend. It reminded my that I'd exchanged some PM's here on TradGang with someone this past winter.
I just installed a new, to me, option on my bow. On another thread, someone mentioned that they shoot RPM Slicks, so I inquired with that person about them.
(http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server4500/9hhe9om/products/55/images/168/Slicks_Washout__88328.1355029235.1280.1280.jpg?c=2)
These are designed for bowfishing. This individual spoke highly of them. I bought some and put them in a drawer. Fast forward to one hour ago.
Pulled out an old string....off with the cat whiskers.....on with the RPM Slicks.....on with the beaver balls....on the bow. HOLY COW!! Placebo effect but, I shot the tightest group I've shot in years and my bow was quiet as a churchmouse.
So, for the time being, I don't shoot either a tab or glove, I shoot RPM slicks. I'm going to give it a couple of weeks and see what I think.
Hope this helps.
homebru
I go back and forth on this.
I used a tab when I shot three under for a few years, having the same benefits already mentioned such as a clean release, etc.
My best advice on this is go stump shooting several times trying to simulate "your" hunting style. You will quickly discover what you like and what you don't. For me, I prefer a glove so I can keep eyes on the game while nocking an arrow and fingers going onto the string automatically by feel. I also like the arrow control it allows when chanting the bow. Plenty of guys can do all this with a tab, but this is what works for me.
I have always use a glove, usually a three fingered glove and sometimes regular leather work gloves. i have tried a tab on a couple of occasions but never long enough to get used to one. maybe i'll have to find one of those tabs again.
I have been shooting trad for a year,started with a glove and tried a tab about 2 months ago .For me the tab is the way to go much better release.