Tabs and arm guards?

xtrema312 · January 29, 2009, 09:18:00 PM

Hi need help quick. I am off to the Kzoo trad show tomorrow. I need to upgrade my basic shooting equipment to get back into trad. I have found some good threads about gloves, but not tabs or arm guards yet. I need a tab and an arm guard. I have some cheap stuff, but want to upgrade to some good stuff. I don't need fancy, just good quality hunting stuff for now. I want an arm guard that can go over a medium weight jacket or bare arm and I shoot split finger. Any info is welcome, and doesn't have to be a specific model of mfr. Even features, types, and things to consider will help.

Bear Heart · January 29, 2009, 11:38:00 PM

Black Widow tabs are my favorite and they don't break the bank. Any leather armgaurd will do. If thats not your thing they make an elastic sleeve that looks kinda like a sock.

Stick_N_String · January 30, 2009, 03:56:00 AM

I'd have to second the Black Widow tabs!!
AS for arm guards, I like a fairly stiff leather guard, all the other types that I've tried tend to bunch up on your arm.
Good luck
Daren

Benny Nganabbarru · January 30, 2009, 05:12:00 AM

I'll third the BW tabs!

TradGanger MikeG makes excellent armguards.

CJC · January 30, 2009, 06:51:00 AM

cavalier elite tab. there is none better.

Irish Archer · January 30, 2009, 07:22:00 AM

I've been using the SAM(Super Archery Mitt?) for about a year now and really like it a lot. Check it out.

tim roberts · January 30, 2009, 08:47:00 AM

Black Widow tabs are great! As for armguards.....there are some very fine ones in the Sponsor's Classifieds.

Pat B. · January 30, 2009, 09:00:00 AM

I've been using Black Widow tabs for over 30 years.. They just recently quit making the best one they ever made, that is the cordovan faced tabs. They were super !!!

xtrema312 · January 30, 2009, 12:01:00 PM

Thanks for the info so far. Are there different types of BW tabs? How about different surfaces and spacers?

30coupe · January 30, 2009, 03:09:00 PM

Screaming Eagle cordovan tab. They are inexpensive, indestructible, and slick as they come. They have no splitter, just a single piece of cordovan leather. I don't think you can beat them for a hunting tab.

dragon rider · January 30, 2009, 05:53:00 PM

While we're on the general subject, does anyone have a stong view, pro or con, of the "No-Glov" approach. I tried them at Whittingham last year and really like them. They slide over the string (assuming you wax it first) and take the place of nocking points as well as of gloves/tabs. They can be set for split or three under as you wish, and are a lot harder to lose than tabs.

Shawn Leonard · January 30, 2009, 06:00:00 PM

Angel tabs, very similar to cavalier elite, but imo the leather is better and they are quite a bit cheaper. Shawn

rastaman · January 30, 2009, 07:26:00 PM

and i will second the motion for S.A.M. tabs. Black Widow sells them also. i have used them for several years and have no complaints. i don't use an armguard. i sometimes wear a piece of stretchy material over my bow arm to keep my sleeves tight to my arm. You can buy that from several different suppliers or make your own from a sock.

xtrema312 · January 30, 2009, 09:50:00 PM

Well I was at the show all night, but the bows had me distracted so no tab, but I will be back tomorrow to look more at equipment and a little less at bows now that I have shot most of what I wanted to try. Thanks for all the recommendations.

I used to use the no glove rubber things all the time back in the late 70's and early 80's. That is why I have no tab experience and an old finger glove. I loved them and shot very well with them. However, I was younger and only shot up to 45# then.

Killdeer · January 30, 2009, 10:03:00 PM

It is all what you get used to. I have tried all kinds of gloves and tabs, I keep going back to the same shape tab that I started out with. Got a sealskin tab some years back that was the same shape. I have worn most of the hair off it now, so I went to Wal Mart one year and got the five dollar calfskin one...does just fine! I have made a template of my sealskin one, and have the sealskin to work with, but can't seem to find the time to make it. Meanwhile, I bought another calfskin one. :rolleyes:

Those Widow tabs, and spacers, and elastic just drive me nuts. I like just a simple mitten type that you stick your finger through.

I used a No-Glove in the seventies, really liked it. Didn't like putting them on!! :mad:

Killdeer

Fritz · January 30, 2009, 10:08:00 PM

Love my SAM tabs. My armguard is a plain jane, stiff leather one.

xtrema312 · February 01, 2009, 09:15:00 AM

Well I got a basic Elk Ridge arm guard with just one hook each side. I like that style because it is easy to put on. Liked the black widow one, but not for $30 at this time. I did go with the widow tab, and it worked great at the show. Not sure it would be what I want to hunt with, but it was very comfortable for target shooting.

Thanks for the help!