Which material gives the better release. I have a Skookum release with calf hair, which they no longer sell and a new Fred Eichler tab, which feels good but has little padding.  I would appreciate it.

Don't know about tabs but I like the cordovan a lot better on my gloves.

I have had both and the cordovan outlasted the hair by a lot. About the time the hair was broken in it was bare. A lot of  people try different tabs and wind up with the Cavalier Elete cordavan. One opinion. Roy

The hairy one goes bald in no time.

If the cordovan is thick it will require breaking in before it works well. Calf hair is less stiff and ready from the get go.

I prefer calf hair because I believe that the release is better. However, a cordovan tab will outlast several calf hair tabs. We make both at EFA.

Never tried the calf hair, but like the bateman cordovan tab.

I have used both,liked the release of the calf hair because it shoots well from day one. A cordovan(I use Bateman) takes a little more time to break in, but actually will give you a comparable release same as the calf hair with one exception, I think this bateman is going to last the rest of my life. I've had it for close to 2yrs. and its keeps on shooting great for me.

Cordovan........They just last so long. You do have to break them in!!

I prefer the cordovan tabs myself.

I have several Cordovan tabs mostly from Bateman & they all have lasted longer & still going strong compared to the Calf Hair tabs I had a few years back to try.

Just recently shot out a calf hair glove out in only two weeks. My cordovon tab is still going strong after thousands of shots.

The Bateman cordovans don't take too long to break in. They last forever. I shoot a lot and I've had one for over a year. I had another one for over a year but lost it hunting.

I like shooting with calf hair better, but I wear them out so fast that I ended up sticking with the cordovan.

I shoot one with super leather by neet, with a felt spacer. I really like it and no finger pinch.

Cordovan all the way.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
The hairy one goes bald in no time.

The men in my family have that problem too.


With that said, with tabs (and gloves) I like cordovan... I actually found an old Back40gear Ultra-tab in one of my old hip quivers... may give it another try... once I wear out my SuperGlove (not likely any time soon).

A Neet Calf Hair tab was my go-to tab for years.  Yes, the hair would wear off quickly, but the tab still worked well.  Then about 6 months ago, I started shooting the Fred Eichler Cordovan tab.  Absolutely love the the Eichler tab (ordered from 3Rivers).  Very quick and clean release, plus I like the feel of the string on my fingers.  I've tried other Cordovan tabs, but was not happy with them.

I love calf hair, but they don't last.  I love the Fred Eichler tab. I didn't find it took long at all to break in.  It is thicker and offers the most padding I have found in a cordovan tab.  More than the Bateman for sure, and about the same as the Cavalier Elete I tried.

I use the Cordovan Three Under Tab from 3 Rivers. Love it.

Cordovan tab. They last for years and years. Mine is a Bateman.

Bateman cordovan for me also.  I ordered two several years ago and may never have to order again.  I think they will outlast me.