Backquiver Care....pics

joe skipp · May 16, 2013, 12:47:00 PM

I know it's been talked about but I'm going to put my 3 cents in. You pay good money for a quality backquiver and some guys let them rot away.

I've seen good quivers with enough mold on them, I was looking for mushrooms, add dirt and you have just wasted good, quality leather.

This time of year I leave my quivers on the deck in the hot sun. Get them good and warm and pliable. I then liberally apply Montana Pitch Blend and rub it in deeply. I give the entire quiver a good "coating".

Around July, I repeat this again. My John Schulz quiver was bought in 1977 and it looks new. I beat this quiver up all these years across this country and Canada. Take care of your backquivers and they will last a lifetime. Don't get lazy....Don't care what conditioner you use but use something.

Creger with a good coat of pitch blend

My Schulz after some drying time. This quiver was originally honey colored.

Side by side....

Some good stuff here...

Bud B. · May 16, 2013, 01:05:00 PM

Wise words.

Mine are not that old.

My last two builds for myself. I hope to use them for at least three more decades.

Lil Okie · May 16, 2013, 01:11:00 PM

I really like Montana Pitch Blend and use it all the time.

bentpole · May 16, 2013, 05:47:00 PM

K.S.TRAPPER · May 16, 2013, 06:13:00 PM

Tracy

ron w · May 16, 2013, 07:49:00 PM

I have never used Montana Pitch Blend, how does it finish, does it suck into the leather or dry on the surface or what. I have always had good luck with Sno-Proof....is it similar? I may have to get some!!

dragonheart · May 16, 2013, 08:45:00 PM

Another trick is to use a hair dryer and melt the pitch blend in. I try to put on 3 coats over the period of a day. Hair drying each coat and leaving the quiver in the sun. I also use SNO-SEAL with success, but like pitch blend the best. You can get it from American Leathers.

Hopewell Tom · May 17, 2013, 07:03:00 AM

Great tip!
The Pitch Blend is excellent leather treatment, I use it on my knife sheaths as well. Of course boots too. All leather needs work to last.
Fortunately for me, I find the job to be a form of therapy.

Red Beastmaster · May 17, 2013, 08:40:00 AM

I'm one of those guys who doesn't treat their quivers. I make my own and get several years of hard use from them before they give up the ghost.

I usually have a newer one for shoots and an older one for hunting and roving. Eventually the new one becomes the old one and the cycle repeats.

Kinda like pickup trucks around here. You have your nice one for taking the family to McDonald's and Walmart, and you have your beater for running to work and hauling coal.

Stonedog · May 17, 2013, 08:54:00 AM

I use a self-made "side stalker"....I am treat it every month, but during season I tend to do it once a week....if it gets wet, then it gets a real through drying and then a cleaning and conditioning.

I used 9oz leather so even with a liberal coat of oil worked in when I made it, it still keeps its rigidity...even with repeated conditioning!

Good leather products aren't cheap to buy or make if they are done right and use up a lot of your time! Take care of them!

Ric O'Shay · May 17, 2013, 10:54:00 AM

I tried Sno-Seal with good success. But after buying some Montana Pitch Blend, I like it even better. My American Leathers back quiver gets the same treatment that Joe described in the opening post. Texas sun is better than any hairdryer.

dragonheart · May 18, 2013, 08:16:00 AM

This quiver was built in 1986, still going strong. It fits like a glove formed to my back over the years. With good dressing of the leather you can get lots of years out of a well made quiver.

woodchucker · June 13, 2013, 09:23:00 AM

Thanks Joe!!!!! Great information here!!!

don kauss · June 13, 2013, 09:59:00 AM

Joe,
is Montana Pitch Blend still sending you those commission checks?

joe skipp · June 13, 2013, 12:12:00 PM

hey Don...Yes they are...being a dealer for them for 15 yrs don't you think I deserve something??

V I Archer · June 13, 2013, 02:07:00 PM

I rub in a few liberal coats of Neets Foot Oil every season. Keeps the quiver nice and soft, form fitting.

June 14, 2013, 02:57:00 AM

One day when I was out stump shooting with Louis Armbruster, I asked him why his Hill quiver was softer than mine. He said to rub a new quiver inside and outside with Neets Glove Oil and either put it on and wear it all day or put it in the back window of your car out in the sun with the windows rolled up and let it bake and collapse on its own.

Bud B. · June 14, 2013, 08:42:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by pavan:
One day when I was out stump shooting with Louis Armbruster, I asked him why his Hill quiver was softer than mine. He said to rub a new quiver inside and outside with Neets Glove Oil and either put it on and wear it all day or put it in the back window of your car out in the sun with the windows rolled up and let it bake and collapse on its own.

I've done this a few times. Good advice.

bluegill · June 14, 2013, 11:56:00 AM

OK,

So what do you do if your quiver has mold on it? Just apply oil over it?

Sean

Bud B. · June 14, 2013, 12:03:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by bluegill:
OK,

So what do you do if your quiver has mold on it? Just apply oil over it?

Sean

Saddle soap and a good medium stiffness bush. Something that'll scrub but not scratch the leather. Let dry. Retreat with your treatment medium (oil, Aussie treatment, mink oil, neetsfoot oil, etc.).