Here is an idea that happened out of necessity. My favorite tab was lost in the woods, and my spare was a bit too thin. An old pair of Wolverine slip-on boots were outside getting beat up by the elements, but I couldn’t bring myself to throw them away. Then the idea just came to me. I laid my spare tab on the upper part of the boot, traced a copy and cut it out. With a few adjustments, I designed it to my specs. I liked the prototype so much that I made as many as I could with the rest of the boot leather.
The finger hole is the hardest part of the design. Trace the finger hole, then fold the leather and cut a slit. Use scissors to trim it to fit your finger. The photo shows some of the rough tabs and the scissors I used for this project. I also had to show off my Fred Bear Custom Kodiak Takedown.
I make my own tabs, too. I prefer the “Western Tab” with one hole for the index finger and a larger, oblong hole for the two fingers under. This type of tab is hard to find commercially. I traced the pattern from an old Ben Pearson tab of this style before it completely wore out. I use a scrap of thick leather purchased from a leatherworker vendor at a 3D shoot. One additional advantage of these homemade tabs is that they can be used “righty” or “lefty’ so I can loan a tab to a new shooter who shoots with the “wrong” hand. Prolong the life of the tab by treating it with a leather dressing such as Montana Pitch Blend.
Thanks, Scott. That tab sounds interesting. Do you have a photo? I see now that we don’t have a way to post photos in comments, so I’ll look into that. ~Robin
I have been working on a finger tab design for years, but I have not come up with one that I am happy with yet. Being a leather-smith, I am a bit picky though. Finding the right type of leather and design is proving to be a challenge. i am getting close though. You are right about that finger hole. It is hard to produce a good clean cut. I would like to see some more pictures of the finished product. I really enjoyed this article. I like how short and to the point it was. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve had fairly good luck cutting the finger holes by punching (NOT cutting) through the leather with a small, pointed X-acto knife after I’ve traced the pattern.
If you have woodworking tools handy try cutting the finger hole with a half round chisel or maybe even a gouge like used to turn wood on a lathe. Use a soft wood block to work on so you don’t dull your edge. Find the correct size that matches the radius of your finger hole and press the chisel into the leather around the hole until you have it cut out.
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Palm tabs require no holes. A wrist sling keeps it handy-I tuck mine up the sleeve of my string hand to keep it clean.
For those desiring cordovan leather for tabs, look in thrift stores for shoes of that material-cut out the tongue for your tab-last a loooong time.
Is the left hand the wrong hand. I’m right handed, I carry almost everything with my right hand. I made my first bow 70 years ago. That’s when I also carried it with my right hand. I knocked an arrow so I would be ready to shoot. I pulled back with my left hand and have done so ever since. Eventually, my left arm became stronger than my right just for archery.
I too make my own tabs, but I don’t bother with a finger hole. I cut straight across the tab and sew or tie on a rubber o-ring. I like the o-ring over a finger hole because I can tie on a different size o-ring for thin or thick or no gloves.
I did this after my first hunt in Africa in 1993, I was shooting heavy weight bows back then and the calf tabs were not holding up. I tried Impala hide (with the fur still on it) left over from one of my mounts and it was awesome. Extremely smooth and durable, you couldn’t wear the fur off those tabs, I have been using them for years, even my 90# bow and 80# bow couldn”t wear out that tab. I now shoot much lighter bows as I have gotten much older but I still use those tabs. I even used the Impala for my self rest. Never be afraid to try something new.
The first i used of this style was in 1958, it came with the Pearson fiberglass bow. Mr Ben gave the tabs away by the thousands..
Tried a glove with heavy bows for a while but broke both those bad habits thirty years ago,,, been cutting the ever since.. best tabs ever.. you can even cut them from a canvas jacket,,,, if that’s what you warein when you loose your other,,
I made similar tabs too, out of necessity. I used to be a meat cutter. I caught the pad of my ring finger in the meat saw and it didn’t heal smoothly. On calf hair tabs, which I used to love, there’s not enough protection over my scar. A good friend of mine gave me a large piece of thick leather. Once it’s broke in, which doesn’t take long, it works great. They wear very well! I made four tabs 2 years ago and the first tab is still in excellent shape!
Great Idea. I love my Bear Custom Kodiac Take Down Recurve too!
I have been making mu own tabs for many years, I did this because at the time I was shooting heavy weight bows ( #80 and #90 for Cape Buffalo) recurves as at that time I was
hunting big game in Africa. The calf hair tabs would wear out so I experimented with some hides from previous safaris. I found that Impala
skins were indestructible even at heavy pound bow weight. I am older now and shoot much lighter bows but the Impala hide still rocks, very
smooth and last forever. Don’t be afriad to experiment, Great article