Thoughts on tab's w/ a palm plate?

[Firstlight]

I've always used a simple leather tab until my upgrade to a black widow tab (split) a year ago which seemed kind of a big deal at the time ;>)  

I have grown to be fond of my BW tab.

Anyway, I hear  more and more about "traditional" guys using the AA Elite or KLS tabs with the palm plate attached to it.

Is this really the cat's meow, per sey?  

I read it's a big aid with more precise finger & string placement, etc so I'm wondering if I mainly just stump shoot, hunt and the occasional 3D is this something I should invest in?

I can't play with one here as the archery stores on the island are very limited with what they sell.

Thanks.

[DaveV]

I bought a KSL tab a few months ago. So far I've only used it a few times. The thing is so bulky that I can't even pull an arrow out of my quiver without dropping it half the time.

From what I can tell, the palm plate is sort of a "negative reinforcement"; digging into your palm causing pain if you don't hold your hand just so.

As far as finger placement, it's no more precise than a Cavalier or AAE tab with a simple backing plate.

In fact, the metal plate interferes with the arrow nock, giving me an annoying "click" as the plate flicks against the end of the nock. Just distracting enough to make me wonder when the arrow will remove itself completely from the string and fall to the ground giving me the dreaded "dry fire." The AAE is shaped in such a way that it's not an issue. I was disappointed to learn that such an expensive tab as the KSL would do this.

All you really need is a reference line that you can easily repeat, which is what the backing plate is meant to do. Stitched leather tabs like the Wilson is just as good in this regard.

I won't shoot with again until I have the time to disassemble it and take a file or grinder to it to fix the problems. One of these days I'll give it a second chance. At that price, I really don't have much of a choice but to try and make it work.

[moebow]

I agree with Dave.  The KSL is really intended for target archery where you have the luxury of time and precision.  the KSL is a good tab but for our kind of shooting, the Cavalier is better.

I use my Cavalier almost exclusively these days, and reserve the much simpler all leather tab for hunting.

IMO, no matter what, get the Genuine Cordovan leather and none of the "other" stuff.

Arne

[Firstlight]

Thank you for your comments Dave and Arne.

Exactly the type of information I was hoping for.

I'll just stick with the BW for now.  Someday I'm sure I'll run into someone who will let me try their Cavalier for a few arrows.

[mahantango]

I've been making my own leather tabs for years, and find that simply stitching a second layer for the string to bump up against - like the BW - is as good as anything.

[McDave]

I use the Rod Jenkins signature tab, which is similar to the BW tab, but not quite as fussy IMO, because it is a single piece of leather rather than multiple flaps like the BW. It has a gentle reminder to keep your hand flat, like the BW, but not as direct as the metal tab on the Cavalier.