Finger tab (none platform)

DigitalClock

New member
I seem to be the only person in my club using this type of finder tab:



Of of you recurve shooters use them too?

Recently a slight problem has developed recently. Because the material bends easily, at full draw the section of material at the tip of my fingers curls around and feels uncomfortable under the chin.

Are the platform tabs much better than the basic leather tabs?
 

buzz lite beer

Well-known member
Platform tabs give good reference point and can aid getting distances that non platform tabs can't, usually the rule of thumb is if you have a square jawline you can get away with a non platform tab more often, rounder jawed archers would gain most benifit. The main things to consider with any tab selection is comfort along with restricting as much forward movement as possible of the tab during the loose. In your case if permisable just trim the area of leather that is affecting your comfort. Changing from various types of tab can feel very alien and take quite a while to get used to.
 

DigitalClock

New member
The leather tabs are pretty thin and let me feel the string nicely. However most platform tabs seem to be very thick and so I dont get as much feel.

Also are there any top archers that use basic tabs like me?
 

buzz lite beer

Well-known member
I can't recall any off the top of my head, no doubt someone will though,
most top archers are shooting lots of arrows through high draw weight bows and require additional finger protection,
the most basic ones used at top level are the likes of the Wilson tab

and the Angel tab

tabs like the AAE Cavalier and the soma can be used with or without platforms or finger spacers and leather can be either added or removed to get the feel you prefer

 

worthipa

Supporter
Supporter
You explained it yourself really, "leather tabs are pretty thin", consequently when the men are drawing between 45-55lb and the women up to around 45lbs and shooting in comps for days with days of practice beforehand a tab like the one you pictured isn't really a good proposition.

Have a look at this tab for a clue as to the stick they get:

 

Froggy the Elder

New member
Also are there any top archers that use basic tabs like me?
No ......!
But that's not to forbid DigitalClock from using one.

I know some coaches and archers are actually wary of platform tabs, especially during the early stages of learning archery. But you get a diversity of opinion in archery, e.g. some say clickers go on as soon as possible (preferably before the string), others will say later or never.

General idea is using a basic tab, you learn a good anchor point with the natural interface and feel between hand and jaw. Buzz states the case for moving to the platform tab.

One problem I found was that going up in weight, the basic tab became too thin for me, fingers were getting sore, so I changed to a platform Tab. The tab I now use has a removable platform.
 

Whitehart

Well-known member
Just on safety grounds alone the tab you are using is for very light weight bows (no more than those used on have a go's and lighter weight club bows. As worthipa says it is too thin. Prolonged use of the tab you have and a higher poundage the bow will eventually lead to problmes with your finger tendons - it starts with a numbness on the pads and then a sharp pain where the string sits in the crease.
 

Froggy the Elder

New member
Sorry, I only answered the questing DigitalClock asked. I wasn't seeking to forbid anyone doing anything.
Yes, I understood what you really meant, but it could have been misinterpreted and you know what people on forums are like...and I apologise Worthipa as I could have worded it much more graciously.

I had a bog standard A&F platform tab which was fine, but then after an increase in weight the platform started to dig into the index finger. So I now have a Cavalier tab which seems to be ok, as long as I check the screws periodically...

I had someone borrow a basic lether tab one practice session, and as they returned it they said they would make sure they remembered their own tab in future as their fingers were getting sore.

I think the message to the OP is that he should be fine using his basic leather tab until he gets to a draw weight that will start to hurt him. When that happens, there are a lot of non-platform or platform optional tabs he could choose from.
 
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Thorvald

Active member
I have a fingertab, something like this one. I am not sure if it is this one exactly, but it is very similar. First I grinded off some of the platform, and at the end I totally removed the platform and the finger spacer. - Simply didn't like it. After a while I cut off a little of the "fingertips" of the leather. Now it is an excellent fingertab... :) So what I want to say, that your finger tab may be ok for you. Maybe you want a thicker variant - then you have a lot to choose from - and then choose one that you can adjust to your wishes (like removing the platform etc.).
 

chrispy

New member
I use a wilson tab after trying various tabs with platforms and finger spacers which i could,nt get away with. The wilson tab feels very light and seems to work for me, you can get a wilson tab with a small plastic platform.
 

Grum

New member
I currently use a Wilson with the middle thin rubber layer chopped out, works ok for me, but I use a relatively light bow compared to some of the quotes here (38# on the fingers) and shoot barebow, so different anchor points..
 

martin o'neill

New member
If my memory serves me well, Rick McKinney used a Wilson Black Widow tab without a platform:



However, he did have quite a 'prominent' jawline which would probably been helpful.
i used to use a wilson tab with the platform and found that the split in the lower half of the tab tended to cut through the server. it is ashame really as it was a very comfortable tab to use.
 

Skybone

New member
Look at the A&F "First Tab". It's a basic platform tab, but the platform is a small piece of metal which can be removed easily, and more importantly, it has a finger spacer.

Simple and cheap. Both Bowpsorts & MAC sell them for less than ?5.00.
 

phathamster

New member
Look at the A&F "First Tab". It's a basic platform tab, but the platform is a small piece of metal which can be removed easily, and more importantly, it has a finger spacer.

Simple and cheap. Both Bowpsorts & MAC sell them for less than ?5.00.
if its this, i couldnt see it on the bowsports site, but they have it here on the mac Merlin Archery; A&F Single Tab - Leather

thanks guys for the advice on this i am in the market for a new tab after aquiring a goldseeker turbo gs, what poundage would the limit be on a basic tab? , i am shooting a 36lb, And haven't had any discomfort yet but also have not had a proper go' with it yet
 

Froggy the Elder

New member
what poundage would the limit be on a basic tab?
That depends on how much pain you can take. The first hint of soreness at anytime is a sign you need a thicker tab, my fingers feel the same after shooting as they do before.

To be honest, 36lbs would have me sqealing like a piggeh after a dozen on a basic tab.

If you wish to play it safe, get a new tab as soon as you can and get used to the feel of it.

Just a thought, I think the A&F single tab is just one thickness of material. Hopefully someone can confirm or correct me?
 
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