Last year I thought about trying to make a quiver for the St. Jude's auction, but never found the time to get it started before the auction began. I told myself that I'd make time for it this year. And then the opportunity presented itself when Papa Bear posted a thread searching for a quiver to package with the incredible Evo bow he's donating for the auction. I figured if I made the commitment to build the quiver for his package I would have to get it done. So I offered and Papa Bear accepted. I'm honored to be a small part of this great effort to help the kids.
This is my third quiver build and I thought that this time I would try to document the process. I should have it complete this week so it's time to start posting some of pictures.
Before I start, I need to state that this is not intended to be a "how-to" thread, it's merely to show you how I made this quiver and to try and generate some interest in the upcoming auction. I'm sure that there are better and easier ways to this, but I seldom do anything the easy way and this works for me.
When I made my first quiver (the one I still carry) 20 years ago, I wanted to be able to adjust the length of the strap if needed – whether I gained a bunch of weight or just wanted to wear a thick winter coat. I considered a few different methods and settled on evenly spaced buttons. After trying several button options, I decided to use the "star" shape basically because I liked the way it looked. It's not the best functioning button design since the points don't slide through the holes very smoothly, but I rarely adjust the strap and don't have to worry about them much.
The riser of the Evo is Cocobolo, so I started looking for a piece to make the buttons. I found a nice piece at a local woodworking shop, ripped some slabs off of it and laid out the buttons.
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0092-1.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0091-1.jpg)
Cut them out with my coping saw and cleaned them up with a file:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0094-1.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0095-1.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0096-1.jpg)
Then I started carving:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0103.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0105.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0105a.jpg)
Here are the buttons in their rough carved stage:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0107.jpg)
Cleaned up with a coat of super glue (LT420) finish:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0121.jpg)
This was my first time working with Cocobolo and after finishing the buttons I decided that I don't like this wood very much. It really stinks when it's cut and it didn't carve as good as other wood that I've used. I also found out that wipe-on poly doesn't stick to it (which is why I used superglue to seal the buttons). However, with all my complaining, I think they turned out looking pretty good.
The buttons are nearly done and I still have all of my fingers (didn't even need any stitches!), so I began looking for a good piece of leather.
I visited a Tandy Leather store about 20 miles from my house, but they were less than helpful. They had a poor selection and tried to steer me towards something that I didn't want. I left there and started searching on line. I finally found what I was looking for on the big auction site – it's a 5 oz semi-soft chocolate brown cow hide. When it arrived it was much better quality than I expected.
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0108.jpg)
Years ago for my first quiver, I worked out the design as I was making it. When I decided to make a quiver for a good friend about six months ago, I used my first one as a pattern, tweaked a few things and made part drawings in a CAD program on the computer. This saved a bunch of time in laying out the holes that need to be punched for the lacing and allowed me to work out a few tricky areas before I started.
Here are all of the parts from the CAD file:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/CAD.jpg)
I printed and cut out the paper patterns, laid out the parts and cut all of the pieces:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0109.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0109a.jpg)
Marked the holes using an awl and the paper patterns:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0110.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0110a.jpg)
Next is the process that my family really enjoys – punching the holes. There are 955 holes that need to be punched for this quiver, here's how I punch them – everyone loves all the pounding:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0111.jpg)
All of the parts cut and punched ready to be stitched together:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0115.jpg)
Now, the stitching (or lacing) begins. The holes that I punch are 1/8" diameter and I run two pieces of 1/8" leather lacing through each hole – one lace from the top and one lace from the bottom. This means that I have about 1/4" of leather going through an 1/8" hole. I use an awl to stretch out the hole, feed the top lace though, stretch the hole again and feed the bottom lace through and pull it tight. Each stitch takes a lot of time, but gives the best finished look since the hole shrinks back tight against the lacing.
Here's one of the straps being stitched. I don't want raw edges on the straps, so I fold the edges over to make a hem:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0116.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0118.jpg)
Stitching the top cuff to the main body of the quiver:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0126.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0130.jpg)
A few close-ups the stitching, you can see how the holes seal up around the laces on the top side of one of the straps:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0122.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0125.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0133.jpg)
Brian you have a gift and you should be very proud of what you do.Can't wait for the for the auction.Tim
Looks like it's going to be a dandy! Hap
I need to drill holes in the buttons so that they can be attached to the strap and pouch:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0134.jpg)
And tie them on:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0137.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0136.jpg)
As I mentioned above, the buttons aren't "smooth operators". The button holes will loosen up with use, but you wouldn't want to use the pouch for every day items. I use mine for carrying a few emergency items such as a back-up string or glove.
It's really cool to watch the quiver come together. It's gonna be even more cool when it's finished.
Thanks for sharing!
God bless,Mudd
Nice tutorial. I am looking forward to seeing the finished package.
Sweet!!!! punching all them holes is alot of work. I know, I love your Craftsmenship.....
Really gives you a inside look and idea of why backquivers are worth what they are priced at, lots of work goes into them.
This one is flat out awesome!! Nice work, as already said, something you should be very proud of!
Nice work, it helps me get some ideas for a do it yourself project. Thanks.
very nice work and the pics are great to see..when does the bidding start?
Since I'm not talented enough to do any tooling or stenciling and wanted to mark the quiver in some way to show that it was associated with the auction, I ordered a patch from the St. Jude's gift shop. The patch fit almost perfect on the bottom of the quiver. I took it to an embroidery shop and had it modified a bit and added "Trad Gang" and "2010" to it.
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0143.jpg)
I started researching methods of attaching the patch to the bottom. I wasn't excited about taking it somewhere to have it sewn on and thought that all the needle holes might weaken the bottom. I found several sites that recommended using Amazing E-6000 Craft Adhesive. This stuff is industrial strength fabric and leather glue that is permanent and waterproof. Everything that I read about it said it will never let go. So I tracked down a tube.
I laid out the patch on the bottom:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0139.jpg)
Roughed up the area where the patch would go with sandpaper:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0145.jpg)
Cleaned off the dust, glued on the patch, clamped it between two boards and let it sit over night:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0148.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0149.jpg)
I cut another piece of 7 oz stiff leather to glue to the inside of the bottom and thicken it up for more support. I glued and clamped it similar to what I did with the patch. The finished leather bottom is nearly 1/4" thick:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0150.jpg)
All that's left to do is stitch the bottom on.
That is awesome. Great work.
The quiver is looking great! In a million years i would not have thought of having an embroidered patch modified. That is very cool.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Very nice work.
AWSOME!!!! :thumbsup: :archer:
Outstanding!!! :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
That is going to be one special quiver! Love the design and the wood carvings are a great touch. Is that pattern something you made?
That is an incredible donation...you are doing the good Lord proud with your skills. Beautiful.
Thanks for all the kind words. I really wasn't fishing for compliments, I just wanted to show what went into making this to try and maximize the bids.
Yes, Snag, I came up with the button design kind of by mistake. I'm sure that it's been done by others, but mine was purely an accident and I liked it.
The quiver design was also something that I was forced to stumble through on my own. When I made my first one I didn't have any Trad shops around to look at quivers, so I just made what I thought would work. On this one and the last one I was able to fix a couple of minor things that I don't like about mine.
I'm working on this when I can in the evenings and weekends and hope to have the bottom on by the end of the week.
I'm not exactly sure when the auction starts, but I don't think it's too soon. When I get it done it's going to lpcjon2 to join the arrows that have been donated for the package. I think he's handling the auction for the whole package.
Brian
All I can say is, "FANTASTIC"..........
Awesome quiver build along. Beautiful quiver any of us would be proud to wear.
Thanks!
I finally got back to working on the quiver.
Here's the bottom being stitched on:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0152.jpg)
I did everything that I could to limit the number of knots in the leather lacing. There are no knots on the inside of the quiver. I kept them all on the outside to eliminate the possibility of hanging up a broadhead when removing an arrow. The only knots are where the straps and the pouch top attach to the body and where the buttons attach. The knots that hold the top strap on might take a bit getting used to on your shoulder and depending on how sensitive your shoulder is you may want to add some type of padding, but I thought that this was still better than having them in the way inside. The lacing for the front seam and the bottom end at the same place at the front and are braided together.
Here I am braiding:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0153.jpg)
The ends of the braids are wrapped in serving thread and coated with superglue:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0157.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0155.jpg)
And it's finally DONE!!!
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0163.jpg)
Some glamour shots with me wearing it:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0160.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0161.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/bctgrad/IMG_0162.jpg)
The finished quiver is 22" tall and has a 6 3/8" diameter. In the pictures above there are 30 arrows in the quiver. The short ones with the barred fletch are 27 1/2" long and the long ones are 31 1/2". I'm 6'-3" and my chest measures about 47" and this fits me perfect.
Just for grins I kept track of my time working on this. I had 48 hours total from making the buttons to stitching the parts together.
Next week it'll be off to be partnered up with the Evo and the donated arrows.
Now it up to all of you to run the bids up and raise some big bucks for St. Jude's and the kids.
Thanks for letting me be a part of this and allowing me to share my build.
Brian
Very well done. :thumbsup:
Outstanding!
Very Nice :notworthy: :clapper: :clapper:
Gene
Awesome!!!
Brian,
Excellent!
Awesome, incredible job! :thumbsup:
That will have people bidding before the auction starts :goldtooth:
WOW!Love it! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
unbelievable!!
really beautiful Quiver!
Brian,
Excellent job! Beautiful buttons and lacing. Love it!
Ming
Here's an update on the upcoming auction.
There isn't enough time to get the whole Evo package put together the way everyone involved wanted to for this year's auction so I'm going to list this quiver in an auction by itself.
We're going to put together the full Evo package for next year's auction.
Brian
i neglected to add my compliments and appreciation to you brian for making this very nice quiver,the entire package is on the auction as we speak.i am bidding on it also as i have a plan for evo next year in the auction.
Really impressive work Brian!! Thanks a bunch for all your effort!
Awesome. I am sure the bids will be high.
It always amazes me at the talent and effort folks put into this auction.
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Now that you guys brought this back up to the top, I guess I should update my last update since it was two months ago and it said that we weren't going to list the package in this year's auction. Papa Bear worked some magic and made it happen. The bow looks great and the package turned out awesome. I wish my two kids were done with college so I could get in on the bidding!
Thanks again Larry for making this happen and letting me be a part of it.
If you're reading this and haven't seen the auction listing, here it is:
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=150;t=000061
Brian
I have the quiver here as part of the whole Evo package, and all I can say is picture do not begin to do this thing justice. You should see it in person!
Outstanding piece of work Brian :clapper:
bids up to 500.00 i may have to bow out.i have a couple of licenses and tags to buy and a packin hunt to pay for yet.
Which forum is it on? I cant locate it....stabow
forum 2 stabow
Sorry, the link that I listed above was from the old bid forum. Here's the correct one:
http://auction1.tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=150;t=000061;p=0&r=actu
Thanks guys, found it.....stabow