Glove or Tab?

[FlyinCedar]

Do you know which is better for you? Have you ever tried to find out? I know I didn't until the other day.

I had always used a Martin full palm glove, probably because thats what the guy that got me started in trad used, and I just used his, then bought my own. I always shot pretty good with it, and had plenty of days where I was inconsistent.

I was at my buddy's house the other day, shooting my Mikuta, and was having one of those bad days....I just simply could not get the arrows where I wanted them....my best group was all the arrows in the target. I was about to put the bow up and give it a rest for the day, when my buddy asked my why I didn't try a tab....I had two in my archery box (which contains everything, and if it ain't in there, you don't need it for trad archery )
but had never really thought about using them...Ihad just always used my glove. I am not even sure where I got the tabs.

Anyway, I decided to give it a shot.....my next three arrows almost stacked in the center, and I was dumbfounded....how could one little variable change my accuracy so much?

Well, the answer is simple...that one little variable contains many other little variables that can all affect your accuracy...

First, is finger pinch....my glove does not have a finger separator like the tab, and could have been causing me to pinch the nock when shooting.

Second, is release....the glove is sewn on the ends of the fingers, and could easily cause a bad release if the string hits those sewn areas.

Third, also deals with release...the glove is made of a soft leather, but could catch the string a little during release....it is not as slick as my calf hair, or even a cordovan tab.

Since I switched that day, I have only touched my glove to move it out of the way and get to my tab.....its crazy how one little suggestion greatly inproved my accuracy in minutes. I know I am sold on a tab from now on..

Which is best for you.....if you don't know, maybe you should take a few moments to find out.....You may be glad you did.

[BT]

I know that once the glove is well worn I tend to get more flyer's but a tab (for me) is just awful.

I have three and the seal skin does work better than the plastic or deer hide but none are as good as my glove.

You bring up a great topic though in as much as you should not just assume based on the fact that you are currently doing well.

You can always do better

[deadeye]

I used a tab when I shot fingers with the compound years ago. I went with a release and have used one since.

When I started buying the recurves a few years ago, I bought a Damascus glove because it 'looked' more traditional. I shot OK with it and then tried the tab last summer after getting my longbow. I will never go back. The tab gives a much smoother release off the string. Some have a problem and never do get comfortable with them.

[flatbowMB]

I've tried using a tab several times, but have never been able to get a quiet release with one. Also I found that they don't protect my fingers very well from the string.

As for gloves, the only type I'm able to get to work are the full palm types. The caps of the palmaless ones won't stay on my fingers. What I don't like about the full palm types is what Flyincedar mentioned earlier about the stitching at the finger tips contacting the string. This definitely gets more noticeable as the glove starts to wear, so I do replace them fairly frequently. When I buy a new one I try to have them fit as tightly as possible.

Regarding the finger separators that are found on tabs, has anyone tried this with a glove?

[FlyinCedar]

I was actually thinking of that the other day flatbow.....I think I am gonna try to find a way to fit a separator onto my glove, just to see what will happen.

[timhicks]

I am a tab guy I dont use a glove after shooting a tab,, heck I guess why there are a bunch of different tools out there..since I have been using a release,,which took years to convince me,,I am still using a release..but if shooting fingers it would be with a tab

[Greg Krause]

I always shot a tab when shooting fingers. I have just moved to shooting 3 fingers under the nock and anchoring by my eye. For this the glove is far superior.

[BT]

ttt

[flatbowMB]

Has anyone tried one of these? Looks like it may be just the ticket.

www.americanleathers.com/cart/shopexd.asp?id=66

[tautog]

When I get back to trad this coming year, I'll do what I always did...get a nice golf glove in black leather....tho I may try the tab one mo' time...y'never know....