Homebrew finger tabs

[BowHuntingFool]

I cut a finger tab from some leather I picked up today from Tandy. I shoot 3 under and was looking for some different styles to try. Any of you guys make your own tabs or have any tips for making one! The one I made today works good but I'm open to try something different!

Thanks

[tippit]

I always shoot my own tabs.  I use cordova leather on layer next to string.  Just cut large enough to cover your fingers, then keep trimming back to shortest length that's comfortable for you.  For a three finger under don't cut the split...Doc

 

[Killdeer]

You can get a piece of sealskin "arrow shelf material" and sew it to the tab, if you like sealskin. Try calfskin, too.

Killdeer  

[deadpool]

I used some thin leather I got from the flee market to make make, but it was to thin so it is now a wall hanger! lol

[BowHuntingFool]

tippit, nice looking tabs you have there!

Deadpool, thats the same reason I wanted to make my own. The leather on the store bought tabs was to thin, thus my fingers were killing me after shooting. With the thicker I picked up yesterday my shooting actually improved tenfold!!!!

[Killdeer]

I made one from the uppers of my old cowboy boots once. Old Acmes, smooth brown leather.

Killdeer

[tippit]

Killie, When you start doing that, you won't be able to wade as deep.  Could be a real problem here as some of these posts you really need high boots    Doc

[BowHuntingFool]

Now thats funny!!!!!!!!!              

[tippit]

BowHuntingFool,  If you look at my tabs, they are two layers so easier on fingers but only one layer around your middle finger.

[BowHuntingFool]

Do you have any pics of the back of the tabs, what's the reasoning being a single layer on just the middle finger???

[tippit]

You slip it over your middle finger to wear it.  With just one layer around the middle finger it is more comfortable.  The bottom is a full piece.  The additional layer just covers your fingers and easily stitched to the full bottom layer...tippit

 

 

[BowHuntingFool]

Thanks, I thought you had a single layer where your middle finger made contact with the string, my bad!

[hickstick]

jeff....whattaya do in our new england cold?  can you shoot with a glove on under it? fingerless glove?  I've been shooting with a shooting glove all my but thinking about trying a tab.

[tippit]

Marc, I shoot with a thin liner glove and tab over it.  I practice with that set up but there is no difference with or without.  That's all I use for gloves!  Oh I do use a Wooly Buggar tube (roll of sheep skin with fur on inside) around my waist!  Zero degrees and hands warm as toast     I don't like chemical hand warmer as I can smell them.

Tab is much warmer cause you don't know it's there...Jeff

[Jeremy]

and easily stitched to the full bottom layer...tippit

Says the man with the fancy leather sewing machine!    
My homebrews look pretty much like tippit's, just with calf skin instead of cordovan.  I've switched over to using a commercial tab (I wanted to try cordovan without buying a bunch of it) but will be making them again for next season... or whenever these two wear out.

[Jeremy]

Oh, for cold NE winters I shoot with a real thin liner glove beneath the tabs.  For REALLY cold days I have a fingerless knit glove that goes on as well, but I normally don't bother unless it's hanging aroudn zero.

[BowHuntingFool]

I don't like anything on my release hand, only on my bow hand! Its gotta be COLD for me to wear any type of glove. I really like the new Under Armour gloves that are out, light weight and ultra thin yet warm! I'll be giving them a try this season along with my Tab!

[2fletch]

I've tried a variety of different leathers, and one or two layers. There seems to be a difference not just on how kind it is to your fingers, but where the arrow impacts.

One layer of cordovan or cowhide with the hair on gives me the best shot grouping, while two layers will give more protection to the fingers. It seems that a stiff tab, or two layers, or a leather with a high coefficient of friction, will result in the arrows impacting in a larger group and generally to the left of the target.

This opinion is not completely on line with the topic but I thought it might be something to consider before cutting up a good pair of boots.