What glove/tab do you use? And why?

[rockmesteady]

I have recently started archery (on a budget). I have a #35 Samick Sage and recently trade a friend and bumped up to #40. I have just been using a regular leather glove that I had. But after a 1000 arrows or so, I started using duck tape underneath to help out. After my middle finger went just about completely numb - I decided to try something different.

I bought a black widow tab that was cheap on ebay, but it was the wrong size and the string still hit the tip of my fingers. Plus, I realized how annoying it is to try to nock the arrow quickly with a tab. But I don't want to rule them out completely since I've only had one experience with a wrong size.

I borrowed my dad's Martin Archery leather damascus style glove the last time I shot. Only shot about 50-60 arrows that time. It seemed to work pretty well and I think I like the gloves better. But I know some are thicker and thinner and better and worse.

Basically I want something that will keep my fingers feeling somewhat normal so I can play guitar and type and hold a pencil and doing real life things...but something I can shoot naturally and easily with.

So what do you shoot with and why? (And why should I try it?)

(oh, and I shoot 3 under, by the way)

[critter69]

I think mine is an American Leather limited edition. Big Jim Bows sold them. There is nylon in the finger cups, so it helps alot. Might check I think they make them from time to time. At least I hope they do because I would love to buy another when this one wears out.

[Bisch]

Saunders Pak-Tab for me! I like it because it is very slick and requires no breaking in.

Bisch

[Limbwalker]

It depends. The Saunders is always a good bet, but not if you're stringwalking. For that I use a Black Widow - which really is a good tab for just about anything really. The Saunders also causes some abrasions on my face/nose if I shoot it a lot.

But if I can get away with it, I'm almost always shooting a well-broken-in glove. That is always my preference for a couple reasons. I can feel my anchor better, and the string doesn't whack my nose with a glove like it does with most tabs. Not sure why that is, but I've stopped trying to figure it out.

My favorite hunting glove is the old NEET standby. Reason is, I can slip the finger stalls off my fingers and use my fingers to put on my headnet, or tie a knot, or whatever I need to do while I'm hunting.

But my favorite shooting glove is always a Damascus-style glove, because the finger stalls don't slip forward when I shoot.

The glove I'm currently using is one made by BearPaw, and it has the buffalo leather and nylon finger stalls. Took me a while to figure out how to break it in (XL still isn't big enough for my hands) but once I did, I love it. I'm going to shoot indoor nationals with that glove. That's how much I trust it.

Other tabs that are excellent quality are any Bateman tab, and the new tab that Rod Jenkins is selling. I have a few of those and they are extremely well made, comfortable tabs.

John

[bucknuts]

l like the damascus leather glove. Its real thin and feels great . Dont like the thick leather tips on other gloves. May try a widow tab soon. Never really tried the tab thing.

[Featherflinger]

I've tried a bunch of different gloves and my favorite is the Bateman glove. It take some work getting them broke in and are kind of expensive but mine are thin enough I can feel the string well and they're nice and slick. One tip I've learned on gloves is get a size down from the one that fits good. The always stretch and they get annoying creases in them when they stretch and get too big. Good luck, Jeff

[Fuzzy Dog]

I've used several gloves and several tabs, but the one I suggest you take a look at because your fingers are going numb on you is the American Leather Big Shot glove. It's well padded but still gives a good clean release. The downside of course is it's probably one of the most expensive out there.

[Retsbew]

Best choice might depend to some extent on the type of anchor you use...some gloves tend to put the string a bit farther off the face anchor than do tabs. Some find that troublesome (it may move the arrow away from being directly under the eye, especially if there's alot of leather at the glove tips) and others don't.

I started with a glove back in the 80's but soon switched to tabs, finding that (for me) they provide a smoother release and don't develop string grooves (i.e., wear out) like gloves do. Tabs are ridiculously easy to make from scrap leather (make some spares, try several designs); can be customized/cut to shape to fit your fingers/anchor point; and if made yourself cost practically nothing compared to a decent glove unless you use hi-end leather tabs like cordovan (not really necessary, most smooth-faced leather scraps work fine). You can make them single thickness or sew several pieces together to get whatever is comfortable. You can cut the front edge to match your anchor style so the leather doesn't hit your face at release. With a little scentless talc they stay slick and break in easily. They are warmer than typical leather shooting gloves (a big plus in cold weather shooting) since they can be made to fit OVER a typical cloth glove...I generally use fleece or jersey gloves under my tabs during hunting season. Put a piece of shock cord or rubber strap on the tab through a small hole behind the finger hole to secure it snugly to your hand. That way there's no need to take it off or flip it over when not in use, it's always in place but not in the way. I don't even notice having mine on when I attach it that way.

Hard to beat a tab, once you get used to them.

[Loreva13]

I also used the Saunders Pak-tab. It takes time to get use to using a tab but I find my release to be much cleaner and consistent.

[rockmesteady]

Ok, so I shoot both eyes open instinctive: 3 under, off the shelf - with the tip of my index finger at the corner of my mouth. (if that helps suggestions)

I really like the look and design of full palm damascus style gloves. What are you favorites of those?

I originally look at the "damascus" glove on Amazon and 3Rivers, but they said it's "thinner for better string feel" At this point I think I would rather have thicker. I don't care as much about feeling the string as long as I can feel anything else at all - ha ha.

Has anyone tried the 3Rivers Dura-Glove? It looked a little tougher/thicker than some of the other leather gloves.

[rockmesteady]

I may try making my own tab, too - that's a good idea.

I don't have much extra leather laying around, but I do have a lot of denim from old jeans. Any chance multi layers of that would be any good at all? I know it's a stretch but I thought I'd see if anyone had tried that. I'm all about budget at this point for me. (For example, I did tune and silence my Sage for 2 bucks worth of stick on velcro and black yarn).

[Jmb512]

Hey I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I started shooting trad and I made this release out of wood.. It's easier for me to pull with my three fingers side by side than up and down. I'm not sure if this is "acceptable" to other trad shooters or not!

[Bisch]

Hey I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I started shooting trad and I made this release out of wood.. It's easier for me to pull with my three fingers side by side than up and down. I'm not sure if this is "acceptable" to other trad shooters or not!

That's interesting!!!

Bisch

[jmeghunts]

Hey I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I started shooting trad and I made this release out of wood.. It's easier for me to pull with my three fingers side by side than up and down. I'm not sure if this is "acceptable" to other trad shooters or not!

How does it work?

[jerp]

Has anyone tried the 3Rivers Dura-Glove? It looked a little tougher/thicker than some of the other leather gloves.

The Dura-Glove is what I use. For me, the cordura on the fingers is a good combination of slickness, feel and protection. However, I think that glove may be hard on the fingers if you are pulling a lot of draw weight. (My heaviest bow pulls 55lbs)