I have a couple of furs that have some sentimental value to me, that have been sitting on a shelf or hanging on a nail for years. I've always wanted a fancy back quiver for stumping and shooting around, and am thinking of turning these furs into a quiver somehow. Probably wouldn't want to hunt with it, except maybe small game from time to time.
I'd like a quiver that conforms around my back, rather than a stiff one. And maybe use the beaver fur on the inside to quiet down my aluminum arrows. Other than that, I don't have any great ideas.
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/IMG_20150404_143434985_zpsnnvhblo5.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/romangrayjr/media/IMG_20150404_143434985_zpsnnvhblo5.jpg.html)
The badger is about 40+ years old, but looks good. My dad shot it long ago with his bow. The beaver is about 10 years old, and was a gift from a close friend, a beaver trapper.
I'd be mighty appreciative of some quiver pictures or suggestions. If the cost was reasonable, I wouldn't even mind paying someone who knows how to do it right, to put the right quiver together for me. But for now I'm thinking more about doing it myself.
This is one I made recently to donate to the raffle table at the Tenn. Classic...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/coyote%20quiver%20Tennessee%20Classic%202015%20001_zps1y4pp9vh.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/coyote%20quiver%20Tennessee%20Classic%202015%20001_zps1y4pp9vh.jpg.html)
...and this one I made for a friend in Oklahoma...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/Timscoyotequiver002.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/Timscoyotequiver002.jpg.html)
Take lots of pictures along the way Archie, would be great to see them...
Pat... love that quiver, great job.
I can't wait to see the finished quiver. Gonna be cool !
You guys are making me nervous now. If my creation turns out to be a real dud, I'll have to suddenly go AWOL here!
The badger is pretty cool... My dad passed away 8 years ago, and about 2 years ago I went to my old hometown where dad lived, and was looking at a slide presentation he had put together for his archery shop back in the late 60's or early 70's. I saw a picture of him with this badger that he'd shot with a 3-blade Bodkin. Later that day I was looking through some old boxes in the garage, and there, all rolled up, was the badger skin -- with a 3-blade broadhead hole in it. It had probably been stored away there for decades. I packed it up and brought it home, and now I want to do something special with it.
I'm going to be watching this one with interest. I also have a beaver pelt that I would like to convert to a quiver. I'm thinking along the lines of beaver on the outside with leather trim. Sure could use some more inspiration, though.
Wish I had some ideas for ya, but all I could do was bookmark this page for a later look see. Can't wait to see the results.
I think in the build along forum theres some quiver builds along the hill style. You may consider sort of a 2 layer quiver, use a soft leather found in places like Hobby Lobby and join your skin to it. I made a soft leather quiver using just the one piece but covering it in a hide wouldn't be hard I wouldnt think. That would allow you to have a properly shaped quiver without worrying about the shape variances that a badger shaped hide would have. Save the head/neck for a cover flap or if too small to use as an outer cover for a small pouch?
So, picture this un-sewn- its just a rectangle sewn together inside out with sinew and then shellacted for rigidity and then turn right side out. With it unsewn you'd just affix your hide to it as much of an area as possible.
(I am NOT touting my quiver as good craftsmanship, a seamstress i am not!)
(http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah128/cavscout9753/72570369-7A54-47B1-A385-ACF28B96EB4F_zps2cuixmxt.jpg) (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/cavscout9753/media/72570369-7A54-47B1-A385-ACF28B96EB4F_zps2cuixmxt.jpg.html)
Thanks for the comments so far... keep them coming! If anyone has any comments about facing some fur to the inside of the quiver, I'd appreciate it.
I may have some old, somewhat matted black bear and mountain lion hides coming in the mail... old furs of my dad's that weren't very good quality. Might be good to use to line the inside and quiet down the arrows from rattling around?
If that badger is stable it would make a sweet haversack, coupled with the beaver back quiver.
One secret I learned when I studied a how-to is when working with hair on hides make all your cuts from the inside with a sharp razor or you'll have hair all over the place.
Also, save the scraps for string silencers.
Thanks, Pat. I would have eventually figured that out, but probably not until I had hair everywhere!
I've heard that a fur quiver can get pretty hot and sweaty at times. Does anyone ever turn the entire fur to the inside and the leather to the outside?
Like this:
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/IMG_20150404_225301572_zpsae5o4qwk.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/romangrayjr/media/IMG_20150404_225301572_zpsae5o4qwk.jpg.html)
Or with this kind of look:
(Badger on outside of beaver, beaver inside-out)
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/IMG_20150404_225155760_zpskdvdm1zj.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/romangrayjr/media/IMG_20150404_225155760_zpskdvdm1zj.jpg.html)
Think you're on to something there. If you're just using it for small game heads that should be pretty slick. With certain broadheads I'm not sure how they'd pull out with the hair, and I mean that, I have no idea; it may not effect it at all.
I know you want a back quiver but, pelts just beg to be a plains style quiver man!
I like your idea Archie
I've got several ideas, but it would depend largely on personal style and if you want to hides to remain largely intact or if your ok cutting them up for parts.
Personally I'd go with a primitive look using some smoke tanned deeskin or maybe even rawhide on the body, stiffen the body with bone or cane as needed on one side, add a window for bottom draw, line the openings with beaver, make a pouch with the body/head of the badger closed off with a bone pin lock, I'd cut the paws or claws off the badger and use them as ornamental beads along the top and strap, then make the strap adjustable in length to tighten up to back quiver length and loosen out to side stalker length. Put some cold forged, twisted brass D rings or forged twisted iron rings on there. Use artificial sinew for stitching and you'd have a very unique, very aesthetically pleasing quiver with sentimental parts. Then again, I'm a leather worker and projects like this kind of spark my interest and inspire me to do some fun and different things.
I'd make two quivers...I wouldn't waste the beaver on the inside of a quiver. Just me.
Go to a fabric place, and buy some "felt" or heavy wool to line the sides of the inside of the quiver tube. Use leather on the bottome (to protect from arrows), and as "trim" to the tube made from the pelts. Get a nice piece of leather...not too stiff...for a shoulder strap. After you make one, the next will be "better" so save the "best" for last.
I used to have a nice little side business making fur quivers and possibles bags. Here is a photo from LOOOONG ago when I first started out. I have more recent pics of stuff I've done for my kids and friends. I'll go find 'em.
This is a recent red fox I did.
You can make some incredible stuff with hides.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/aaa2012002.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/aaa2012002.jpg.html)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/misc6-20-12291.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/misc6-20-12291.jpg.html)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/foxandburrs004.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/foxandburrs004.jpg.html)
Heres one I made for my son a few years ago..
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/384.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/384.jpg.html)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/382.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/382.jpg.html)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/378.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/378.jpg.html)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/374.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/374.jpg.html)
Heres a "before" pic of that fox above:
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/empfox001.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/empfox001.jpg.html)
I agree with Mark about lining the quiver. I would do a beaver ring of nice fun at the top but that's it. I ran a trap line last year after seeing a coyote quiver here. It was amazing, cool guy wearing it too, ill look for the photo.
(http://i.imgur.com/MEJNIdr.jpg)
This is John Scifres I believe... makes great bows too!
(http://i.imgur.com/WIjOEOF.jpg)
I did manage to catch a few coon and a fox but no coyote... yet :) fur is in the freezer.
(http://i.imgur.com/xPmskWB.jpg)
I did all the searches here I could think of and yornoc does great work, hats off to him, didn't see any better craftsmanship to my eye. The time in that can't be cheap... I've seen badger $250 & $350 for larger coyote size animal. The fur price untanned can vary drastically according to fur quality & holes. One thing I've learned is a craftsmans price might seem high till you start buying supplies, tools and pay for your knowledge through mistakes and time!
You said your fur was sentimental so if your serious about doing it yourself I would practice on something else first, there is a lot to learn I'm certain, but what a great project!
I found some oldies from beaver.
A whole beaver minus the tail....then a leather quiver with a beaver top. Please excuse the blurriness, these are quick pics of old photos!
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/5ff8473b-b7aa-4f0f-b263-d89a0b8c819f.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/5ff8473b-b7aa-4f0f-b263-d89a0b8c819f.jpg.html)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/Beaver20150405_122836_resized.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/Beaver20150405_122836_resized.jpg.html)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/beaver20150405_122725_resized.jpg) (http://s868.photobucket.com/user/yornoc/media/beaver20150405_122725_resized.jpg.html)
I had made a possibles bag out of a beaver also, perfect fur for that type of bag.
What are you thinking Archie?
I keep checking back too David... I love these type of projects. I wonder what Archie is thinking also... :campfire:
Sorry, guys... I've been pretty busy with work.
I am weighing the option now of purchasing some latigo leather and trimming it heavily with the beaver/badger. The more I think about it, the more I want it to have an access window to draw arrows from the bottom, too! The problem is that the latigo leather is pretty expensive, and I didn't want this to become a massive, expensive undertaking. I've made some armguards, quivers, and basic knife sheaths before, but I want this to be a keeper. I've also got some pre-made quiver kit patterns from the seventies that I plan to consult (at least), in order to minimize blunders.
I also am waiting for a couple of other furs to arrive in the mail before making any serious moves.
As for the design, I have this crazy idea about pockets on one or more sides... Also, am now thinking about a center-of-the-back quiver instead of the pure, old-school Howard Hill style. As for haversacks, I've never used one before. But since I'm diabetic, with an insulin pump, I always have to carry certain things with in case that part of me goes south.... so, some type of pocket/pouch could come in handy.
I'll try to keep this thread current. But with tax season coming to a close, and since I do tax returns for some people on the side, I'm up to my ears in other stuff to do for the time being!
Don't be sorry, we are just excited and wondering...
Hard to decide I understand. Sounds like you have some leather experience and thats good. Thanks for the update...
OK, folks, I have finished my quiver. Here are some pics... it's nothing fancy, but it's the first quiver I've made out of fur like this, and I am pleased with it. Very functional, too. It works great!
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150531_215031420_zpsfu1y68u6.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/romangrayjr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150531_215031420_zpsfu1y68u6.jpg.html)
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150531_215102881_zpsgcvt1ww0.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/romangrayjr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150531_215102881_zpsgcvt1ww0.jpg.html)
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150531_215352234_zpsuggsru7o.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/romangrayjr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150531_215352234_zpsuggsru7o.jpg.html)
Here's a couple more...
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/Mobile%20Uploads/_20150531_215658_zpsxrkrmsur.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/romangrayjr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/_20150531_215658_zpsxrkrmsur.jpg.html)
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150531_215352234_zpsuggsru7o.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/romangrayjr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150531_215352234_zpsuggsru7o.jpg.html)
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/Mobile%20Uploads/_20150527_091833_zpsauni2vwu.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/romangrayjr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/_20150527_091833_zpsauni2vwu.jpg.html)
"BUT wait," you say, "that ain't no beaver, and it ain't no badger... and that's what we started with!"
You're right.
I was talking to my trapper friend about making the beaver (that he gave me) into a quiver, and he said, "Why not try this here otter?"
The otter was easier.
I ended up doing almost NO cutting, and used the tail as the strap. I did a fair bit of hand stitching, but other than that, it was a pretty straightforward project, and a lot of fun.
that is hilarious! the payoff at the end made me laugh out loud. I was TOTALLY confused, haha! enjoy your quiver. it's nice!
I had plans once to make one of those cool quivers out of a coyote, with the full face, ears, legs and tail. I shot a HUGE coyote (for around here. about 45 pounds). when I got the finished rug back, it covered the ENTIRE hood of my truck when laid out! WAY too big for a quiver, but it is pretty cool!