Talk to me Goose! Tabs hurt my face...

[twostrings]

Hello all,

I'm hoping to get some coaching from someone 'who has been there, done that!' and come out successful. Haha!

I've been shooting for a long time now and have always done so using a glove. I've given tabs a try on multiple occasions throughout the years, and own a couple of really nice ones, but always stop using them after 1-2 days because they HURT MY FACE! I've actually never heard of anyone struggling with this, but thought I'd ask and see what your experience was and how you overcame it. "Where does it hurt" you ask? Corner of my mouth and the surrounding areas.

Anyways, any help would be great. I'm not sure if I'll ever switch over to a tab, but I'd like to see how it plays out.

Thanks,
Matthew

[jhinaz]

Have you started trimming your tab? It sounds like it is too long still. You can look at the 'marks' it leaves on your leather-face from previous shooting, or you can put powder on the leather-face and it will show how much excess leather you have. Don't cut too much at a time because you can't put it back. - John

[BowMIke]

I trim my tabs as short as possible so that my finger tips are in face contact.

[Warden609]

Are you getting slap from the tab? If so it’s to long. You got good advice on earlier posts on trimming. Most people buy to big of a tab. Good luck!

[Sam McMichael]

I have used tabs for many years. I had a couple that were too long that slapped me, but when trimmed up were just fine.

[twostrings]

Interesting. I can't believe that thought hadn't crossed my mind! Illl give that a try.

Thanks!
Matthew

[twostrings]

Any chance someone could snap a picture of just how short you cut your tabs? If not, no worries.

Thanks!
Matthew

[kenneth butler]

All of the above. They need to be much shorter than you think. the string won't hit the ends of your fingers. You need the protection where the weight is held. >>>---> Ken

I've never had a tab that slapped me in any way....but

I hunted for years with the "kant-pinch" tabs.  My best tabs were trimmed very short....just enough leather to complete the "hook" on the string.

I intermittently use an American Leathers glove and a tab I've had in my box for a few years now.  The tab gives more consistent control than the glove...but not that much to consider significant.

[Warden609]

Not the best pic, but this works great for me on tab size.
 

[moebow]

YES!!  The tab should be about 1/4 to 3/8ths inch SHORT of the tips of your fingers AFTER you have taken your hook on the string.

Arne

[Babbling Bob]

Had a tab slap me last year when I bought one too large. Bought the same brand I had been using, but a larger size. Easy fix with a pair of scissors, so no big deal. I used to use a small size then switched to medium, then bought a large 'cause that was what was in stock and tried it.

[Holm-Made]

Your might be releasing the string in front of your mouth rather then getting back to the corner of your mouth before releasing.

[The Whittler]

Grab the string and look how much of the tab sticks out past your fingers. Trim a little at a time and leave just enough so the ends of your fingers don't get burned by the string.

[Jakeemt]

Yes to all the above!

[Butch Speer]

What Mobow says. He knows his stuff.

[ChuckC]

Yes to several posts above.  Get a good solid anchor, maintain it.  Cut that tab down.  Your finger tips need not be covered as they will be out of the way.

[twostrings]

Thank you everyone! This is really helpful. It looks like my tabs are way to long for my fingers. I'll start trimming them down and see what happens.

I truly appreciate you!

Matthew

[DanielB89]

I can't get a tab to work for me either.  I'm almost positive its not the tab hitting my face though.  I believe it's the string.  I have filmed it, and I believe my string rakes the side of my face.  I know with a glove I don't have the problem, and that with a tab, I will develop a bad set of target panic anticipating the string slapping my face.  Though I do believe a tab is a lot more convenient and versatile, I went back to a glove and haven't looked back.

[twostrings]

Interesting... I wonder if that's what is happening to me