Tab wear

[xtrema312]

I have read some post about people that shoot a tab for years.  Also some that go through a few a year.  I am curious how do you know your tab is worn out?  

I have been shooting BW Wilson calf hair tabs part of this year, and I can wear the hair off in a very short time.  I wonder if they are worn out when the hair is off or can you shot them a long time?

[Jeremy]

Calf hair tabs give a nice release, but the hair wears relatively quickly, especially if the tanning is less than stellar.  Those of lesser quality come off very quickly (had one that started to come off after the first session).  You can shoot them after the hair wears off, but you're not getting as slick of a release, which may or may not affect your shooting.

I've switched to cordovan.  It wears much better and generally becomes slicker with use.  I've also had good luck hot-stuffing some specialty chap leather with waxes, but it's a whole lot easier just to buy the cordovan  

[xtrema312]

I hear the cordovan wears for ever.  I have a Bateman, but it curls all up, and the string yanks it off my fingers.  I need to try and find one that doesn't curl so bad and doesn't have that elastic strap.  I am trying a Pac-tab right now, but I shoot like 16" left compared to my BW tabs.  Now I wonder if my BW tabs are shot or something.

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

I usually lose them before I wear one out!

For my light bows, Ive been using some material..cant remember the name of it...but its unborn calf hide.  Very slick and smooth...kinda like having a tab made out of a weinie dog.

Cordovan is nice, though. Made one out a dress shoe I had once. Then I lost it. Since then I just buy em.

[Rob DiStefano]

i've been using thin, chromed latigo leather for my tabs for decades.  works just fine.

[Pointer]

No more calf hair for me because it wears too quickly...2 layers of solid leather works best for me.

[Zradix]

Yeah the calf hair is what I started with. Hair was gone wwaaayyy to quick for my wallet. Xtrema..You can get a EW Bateman tab at the company web site with the cut leather hole for your finger."not the elastic" I've been using mine for a few years. I do put some neatsfoot oil on it now and then. Also we have some high viscosity silicone at work. "not caulking" It's like silicone spray lube but thicker than honey. I put a little of that on the face, rub it in, wipe off all the excess and whola..sweet release!!

[bshunter]

bateman cordovan is pretty hard to wear out, i put non scented gun oil on mine

[xtrema312]

Do you all have the problem with the Bateman cordovan curling up?  Does the oil help with that?

[Zradix]

Leather in general seems to take a set when dried. Mine get wet when hunting, stumping and if I don't flatten them out when I get in they will have a bit of curl in them from pulling back the string. It doesn't seem to curl "just because". The oil softens the leather, makes it supple.

[m midd]

i shoot a neet calf hair, the first one i had wore quick. I bought a second  and have shot it for over a year and havent lost any hair. I dont know why but it still looks brand new. i think i am going to try a cordovan though

[FerretWYO]

I have a cordovan tab that I shot for 8 years and I was shooting a lot. I switched to three under and have made a couple cordovan tabs and I love them.

[Mike Spaulding]

I shoot the neet calf hair as well.  I usually get about 6 months out of one before it needs to be replaced, but they're only $8 or so so I always have a couple spares.  I tried a leather tab and couldn't feel the string as well so it just wasnt my cup of tea.

[xtrema312]

Anyone see a lot of wear mostly at your middle finger? I get way more in that area and I wonder if that is typical or I am dragging my finger.

[Zipperhead]

Cordovan tab has always lasted me until I lose it.  Been shooting the one I have now for two years, and it looks brand new.

[Bill Carlsen]

I don't understand why you need more than a single layer cordovan tab. They last forever, can be "renewed" with a little bit Montana Pitch blend, allow you to feel the string. To keep from loosing mine I made a wrist loop with some thin nylon cord (from and old venetian blind). If I  have to I wear it on my neck, for example, when field dressing.