By Sophie Meering
The Fairweather tabs have taken the archery scene by storm, with many archers such as the GBR Women’s team, Mete Gazoz (Tokyo 2020 individual champion), Marie Horáčková, using the tab and winning big titles on the World Stage. But what is so great about the Fairweather tabs, and is the Brass Tab Plate really that different? Let’s find out.
The “feel”
This year, Fairweather introduced the Brass Pro Plate for recurve archers; barebow archers already had the pleasure of using a brass plate. The new Brass Pro Plate is part of the Modulus series, so fits perfectly with the existing Fairweather tab with the standard Pro Plate and spacer.
There may not seem much difference in weight just holding this tab in the hand, but once you have shot with it for a while, you can really feel the difference compared to the Pro Tab Plate. Personally, I prefer having a bit of weight in my hand; it gives my release more to work with as there is a bit of weight to remind me to release cleanly. I have used the Pro Plate for a couple of years and feel that has really helped.
Pro vs Brass model weight comparison:
Small Cerakote Pro Plate19.5g vs Small Brass 51g
Medium Cerakote Pro Plate 23g vs Medium Brass 55g
Large Cerakote Pro Plate 28.5g vs Large Brass 62.5g
The shelf and brass “feel”
Even though the shelf cannot be adjusted, I have never felt the need to do so given the size, placement and design of the plate. It is the same with the brass plate. Having a brass plate sit against your skin at anchor, feeling the cold metal against the skin, should help the consistency of your shots. You will be able to better feel the tab and same anchor, whereas before, with the cerakote plate and its coating finish, it was a bit more difficult to get that distinctive feel of where the tab sat. A special no-shelf brass plate can be ordered from Fairweather Archery website.
The price
The price difference between the standard Pro Plate and the Brass Plate is significant, but it is justified by the material used, and if you prefer a heavier plate it’s well worth the outlay. In the UK, the Modulus Pro Shelf Plate is about £25, the new Brass Plate around £50. While there are cheaper tabs on the market, I am yet to find one that has the same feeling or a similar design. For me, the Fairweather just fits very comfortably, doesn’t feel bulky, and doesn’t have unnecessary parts.
The Verdict
Personally, I really like the simplicity of the Fairweather tab – nothing comes loose on them unlike other tabs with different elements. I have never had a tab before where I haven’t had to cut the leather or adapt it to fit my hands and my shot. Before trying the Fairweather tab a few years ago, I was sceptical about the finger spacer, and feared that if my finger was hot or cold and changed shape due to the elements, the spacer wouldn’t fit properly. But my fears were groundless. In practice the spacer fits fine in all weather conditions, and I’ve never had an issue with it. Having a simple tab with less elements to play with or move around, means that I am less likely to misplace parts or have something come loose at a vital moment. Recommended.
BRASS PRO SHELF PLATE is an upgrade to the Modulus tab for those who prefer a bit more weight to their tab. Comes in its own mini zip up case.
Approximate weights:
Small – 51g Medium – 55g Large – 62.5g
Large also fits XL tab – Also available without shelf (special order)
NOT COMPATIBLE with the MODULUS XS or MODULUS LITE XS
Find out more: https://www.fairweatherarchery.com/olympic-recurve
