Cleaned up the Vixen..

[Cavscout9753]

I cleaned up my JD Berry Vixen a little. If people recall, Brianlocal3 was the previous owner and when he says he uses his bows as tools he means it. I believe at one point the Vixen aided in clearing a path through some nettles. He re-worked the grip a tad and wrapped in in a nice soft leather wrap. I loved the feel of the wrap but I also enjoy the look of single piece leather so I used an old suede leather work glove, cut out a piece, and stitched it over it with sinew threading. (My seamstress skills need work). Then I just evened it all out with high grit paper and some 000 steel wool and re-sprayed it with special purpose lacquer. I didn't remove the old finish entirely so I'm not worried about the water proofing. It came out well and makes the woods pop very well. Nothing fancy or majestic, but I sure love this bow.

[Cavscout9753]

Oh, and Brian already ribbed me on the EFA quiver.. I'm sorry - I just can't get over the connivence as a hunter.

[mike g]

I second the EFA....
   Don't belong on ASL..LOL

[centaur]

Man, if you had a side quiver or back quiver to go with that good looking bow you would be in tall cotton!

[Cavscout9753]

Ya'll are a tough crowd! I made this up (I know, not leather but I had the stuff laying around) and the drawbacks to me don't have to do with feel or fit or anything, I just have to keep trying it and see if it grows on me.

[centaur]

Quiver, Man's Back, 1 each, OD. Cool!

[M60gunner]

What center said X2. Only drawback to a back quiver I found is they get real warm when temps are over 80 degrees.
As for the bow, looks like you have it covered. Bet it shots good too.

[Cavscout9753]

Haha yeah, it started its life as a Mortar mans aiming stake set bag. My older boy had a button-in fur hood liner to a winter coat. Coat was headed to good will so the liner was re-purposed. The intent was just to create a functional back quiver to see if I liked it. Would be good for squirrel, rabbit, etc. but deer and pig I wasn't a fan. The EFA is a good compromise. The bow shoots great, there's a whole lot of learning to the ASL bows. It takes a complete commitment on my part to shoot it, at least while I learn it. But honestly after I got the hang of it 1) the length doesnt seem so bad and 2) all my other bows just dont feel "right". I'll keep at it, the good part is that learning to shoot them is so much fun!

[Brianlocal3]

Great job Luke!! And yeah, I utilize every part of the bow when I'm out with them

[Cavscout9753]

Yeah, I have an R/D bow that may go to fund some 50-55 woodies..

[Cavscout9753]

Alright, the ASL crowd's outcry got me thinking. Here's a new experiment for me to try. Basically for now its the EFA on a piece of pipe with a strap. I made up an extra arrow to carry in a 2 blade tie on sheath on the bow. The rest can be strapped to my pack or slung over my back or whatever else. Interesting.... (Sorry for the crap lighting in the pic, but you get the gist).

[Cavscout9753]

Ok, yeah - it shoots better without a bow quiver. Think I'll go this route for a while.

[Brianlocal3]

She wanted to be free

[JDBerry]

Cavscout9753, Looking good on the finish and leather work. Glad to hear that the Vixen is working out well for you. yelp bow quivers don't seem to work well on ASLs, You lose the feel of what the bow was ment to be. Thanks for taking care of her!  ...OE

[Cavscout9753]

Haha yeah Brian, it did! Thanks Mr Berry, she's in good hands. I put my R/D up in the classifieds to see if I can land a dozen of 50-55's. Think thats all thats missing now.

[JDBerry]

Cavscout,

 PS That Vixen means a lot to me for a few resons. Better get out to the shop and start a new Vixen, Missed lbs yesterday, So now I get to start all over agin, Lucky me, lol.  ..OE

[Cavscout9753]

OE, haha, no problem, I'm sure even a missed weight Berry bow sells fast!

[Cavscout9753]

Here's a better one, sans quiver.

[akbowbender]

Looks great! Nice shooting too!

I tried a quiver on my ASLs, but it just didn't feel right. I did hunt with a Solo Stalker this year. Kind of liked it, and when the arrow is pulled, it's like shooting a clean bow.

[JDBerry]

Hey Chuck, haven't heard from you in a while, How is the hunting going in Alaska so far this year?  ..OE