Tab or Glove...
#1
I have been using a tab to shoot 3 under on my Longbow. This is just a cheap tab I picked up for like 10 bucks, made of leather & calf hair. Is there a world of difference in tabs and gloves, cheap tabs and expensive tabs. I am want to get more consistent release and I'm thinking the tab I use could be a better one! What kind of tab or glove do you guys use??? Is a tab better for 3 under or should I try a glove???
Joe b!
Joe b!
#2
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
Likes: 0
The best 3-under tab.... at least the one "I" like best.... is theBlack Widow tab with Super Leather or cordovanface. It doesn't groove and gives a really slick, consistentrelease.
Calf hair sux. The hair wears off one spot and not another, so the release gets kinda inconsistent.
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Product.asp?show=info&c=1&s=81&p=0& ;i=5332X#full
I think tab is best for 3-under, but I've done good work with a plain ol' Damascus glove too.
Old Target Shooter's Hint: carry a travel size bottle of baby powder in your kit - the talc kind, not that corn starch gunk! -and give your tab/glove a good dusting from time to time. Slicks it up real nice.
Calf hair sux. The hair wears off one spot and not another, so the release gets kinda inconsistent.
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Product.asp?show=info&c=1&s=81&p=0& ;i=5332X#full
I think tab is best for 3-under, but I've done good work with a plain ol' Damascus glove too.
Old Target Shooter's Hint: carry a travel size bottle of baby powder in your kit - the talc kind, not that corn starch gunk! -and give your tab/glove a good dusting from time to time. Slicks it up real nice.
#3
Thanks Arthur, ya know my fingers are killing me. Is this because if the cheap tab as well or just not used to it yet? I have been shooting every other day if not daily???
#4
I just use a regular 3 finger under tab, you shouldn't need too fancy of a 3 finger under tab for it to work well. Make sure your not taking to big of a bite too when you pull your bow back with your tab, I'm sure you knew that but I thought I'd tell ya anyway just in case. These Traditional bows throw a bad release allot easier then the compounds do when our releases aren't good. I'm sure you noticed that too.
#5
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
Likes: 0
Painful piddies? 
The tab could be it, if it's really thin and doesn't protect much. Or maybe your fingers just aren't used to it yet. It can take some time for your fingers to toughen up. It's really an individual thing. Some folks fingertips are more sensitive, some less. Folks with really sensitive fingers need thicker, more protective tabs or gloves. I don't think some guys would know it if they smacked their finger with a hammer and they don't care whether they use a tab or not.
Ifyour fingers are really sorethough, it would be good to take a few days off and let them rest and heal up. They can't toughen up if youtearing them up and, anyway, pain is not conducive to good shooting.
If you notice any numbness in any finger, take a few days off. Non negotiable! That numbness in a fingertip is usually caused by a bruised nerve. It needs to heal and the feeling come back fullybefore you shoot any more or you risk permanent injury to it. And definitelyget a thicker, more protectivetab/glove if that happens.

The tab could be it, if it's really thin and doesn't protect much. Or maybe your fingers just aren't used to it yet. It can take some time for your fingers to toughen up. It's really an individual thing. Some folks fingertips are more sensitive, some less. Folks with really sensitive fingers need thicker, more protective tabs or gloves. I don't think some guys would know it if they smacked their finger with a hammer and they don't care whether they use a tab or not.
Ifyour fingers are really sorethough, it would be good to take a few days off and let them rest and heal up. They can't toughen up if youtearing them up and, anyway, pain is not conducive to good shooting.

If you notice any numbness in any finger, take a few days off. Non negotiable! That numbness in a fingertip is usually caused by a bruised nerve. It needs to heal and the feeling come back fullybefore you shoot any more or you risk permanent injury to it. And definitelyget a thicker, more protectivetab/glove if that happens.
#6
Boone & Crockett
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,295
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi USA
I'm no tab expert at all, but I've been reseaching it lately. As I understand it, most of the top IBO shooters (the two I know at least) use a Cavalier (Elite, I think). Best tab I've tried, and I doubt there's one more durable.
There can be considerable differences in tabs, both in construction and materials. For some folks it won't make any difference as far as shooting goes....but for others it can make a really big difference.
Chad
There can be considerable differences in tabs, both in construction and materials. For some folks it won't make any difference as far as shooting goes....but for others it can make a really big difference.
Chad
#7
I've used a Cordovan Glove with insert for years. Bateman, Hill, and American Leathers. You won't get more protection from them, but you will not feel the string. I'll pretty much guarantee that you will not have any pain while shooting with them. You may want to get one to use for good or to get you through the painful episodes that you are experiencing.
That said, I am have been using a tab again for the past few months for a change. I just ordered a new EW Bateman Stayput for myself and son. I've been using the BW that Art mentioned, but I want to try something Cordovan with a spacer. I think that BW now makes a cordovan though.
That said, I am have been using a tab again for the past few months for a change. I just ordered a new EW Bateman Stayput for myself and son. I've been using the BW that Art mentioned, but I want to try something Cordovan with a spacer. I think that BW now makes a cordovan though.
#9
Yeah Art I think I need to space my shooting out, not so many arrows in a session! My middle finger is the sore the most. I chopped the tip of my index finger off with a table saw and its a tad bit sensitive so I tend to favor the middle finger, haha! My tab is thin I'm going to check out the thicker tab and a glove to see whats best.
Bob I got your PM and would love to check that glove out, I sent you a PM! Thanks!
Bob I got your PM and would love to check that glove out, I sent you a PM! Thanks!
#10
Fork Horn
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Waldoboro Me. USA
I am going to be coming over to the trad side again soon. I have shot my compound with no sights, no release. I always put some athletic tape on the string to make it thicker, and less painful. Once my fingers toughened up I felt it gave me excelent feel and I could be consitant with my release. Anyone do that with their traditional bows, or will it throw the release off to much?


