Pros and Cons of Different Materials in Making Quivers?

[indebtmd]

Hey tradgang! It's my first time posting here on the tradgang forums and I wanted to get some insight from some more experienced DIY pros. I'm looking into making my very first back quiver and I've seen people use everything from PVC tubing to Hard Fleece to all Leather.

Are there any major benefits to using one over the other or is it mostly just preference? I've read that particularly for back quivers, you want to make sure the quiver can collapse on your back so the arrows don't come tumbling out when you bed down. I assume because of this that PVC then wouldn't be ideal?

Now cost is an area where I've seen some huge discrepancies. I've read that some people spend as little as $40-50 to make an all leather quiver, but the materials for a PVC or fleece quiver can run almost the same price. Can anyone that's made them give any insight on whether this is true? Thanks for the input everyone! I'm looking forward to constructing this bad boy!

[Gray Buffalo]

Depends on the weight of the leather but leather is by for the best. IMHO Most people use 5 to 6 oz leather which would be soft enough to grip the arrows when you bend over.

[Sam McMichael]

I am not skilled at any craft activities, but I do own a whole bunch of quivers. I generally prefer leather due primarily to the nostalgic aspect. Both soft and stiff leather have certain desirable traits.

If you are stalking through the forest, it would be advisable to consider one of lighter leather that collapses against your back as it cuts down on noise. If you hunt from a stand, the large, stiff quiver allows you to carry a lot of stuff, and the noise factor is less important. However, it is entirely possible to be stealthy using a stiff leather quiver. Just remember that if your arrows are rattling around, you are moving too fast.

When using my primitive gear I also like a woven basket quiver. Mine is totally plain, but some of them are quite attractive. They tend to be noisy unless you take special effort to reduce noise.  

You will eventually find that you want multiple quivers, especially one that covers your fletching in wet weather. That is not a big factor for me 'cause I don't hunt in the rain, but it is a useful consideration.

[bretto]

The 2 mistakes I made when I made mine. Well 3 mistakes I made .

1. I made it out of to stiff of leather. Arrows rattled terribly in it and fell out if you bent over to far. I could have lined it with fur but never did.    

2. I made it out of dyed leather. No big deal you say everyone dyes their quivers. Yes but I wasn't smart enough to know how to seal the dye so every time I wore I got a lovely brownish red stripe across my shirt that would not come out. Wife loved that one.   :eek:  

3. I made it way too big!! No really WAY TOO BIG!! I don't use it now except to hold arrows in my room of stuff as my wife calls it. I probably have 2 dz. fletched arrows and 3-4 dz. shafts in it. I could still fit a extra shirt and lunch in it.    

So do yourself a favor and look at some other Quivers before You build. There are some good build-a-longs here for several different style Quivers. Wish I found TradGang before I started.

Good Luck. Please post some pics if you decide to build one. Ask lots of questions if you need. Someone will answer them honestly for You. People here love to help.

Worst comes to worse there are some fabulous Leathercrafters who are Sponsers here. They build Quivers that will make your jaw drop!!

Welcome to TradGang. It's a great place to learn.

bretto

[Red Beastmaster]

I would get the do it yourself kit from 3 Rivers Archery, a sponser here. You will get a nice quiver at a good price that should last as long as you do.

[Gdpolk]

I got a stiff leather and fur back quiver and a bow quiver. I hunt almost exclusively with the bow quiver and use the back quiver only for arrow storage at home, long range time trips, and longer days of stump shooting. I could easily go down to just one bow quiver and a PVC tube in the closet for excess.

[britt]

I make back quivers out of cardboard carpet tubes, wrap with fleece, burlap, or plaid material. Old rope for strap. Maybe $5.00 into each one. I'v used the same quiver for 15yrs.

[DMaster]

I am in the dilemma of also wanting a back quiver for hunting and maybe 3D but the prices for these small quivers I could get a nice leather jacket for and I am a big and tall guy. I looked at the 3 Rivers kit as suggested by an earlier poster but the kit is over $60.  As my arrows run around 32" most of the quivers are only 20" deep or less, leaving 12" of arrow hanging out.  

I think britt has the right idea, go minimalist or go home, and GDPolk with the PVC tube for storage is an idea I will use.  Love it here on Tradgang, thanks for the suggestions. Shalom

[ChuckC]

Bretto, try sectioning it off inside. Using leather lacing is easy at the top, but you might be able to insert an entire "wall" of leather and make the quiver hold arrows in one side and, heck, lunch, a shirt, knife etc on the other !  May start a new trend that way !

Hmmmmm

DMaster, my arrows are long too.  I added length to the top of the quiver to make up the difference and I think I like the change. It certainly lets the arrows sit lower ( they used to stick out above my head). I

t is said that more than 20" (or whatever that length) is too much, but I find that if the top is at shoulder level, like a shorter quiver, it really doesn't matter what the length is because I have to pull the entire arrow out from shoulder level anyway.
ChuckC

[pinky]

Welcome Indept,

I made a leather backquiver from a pattern I found on the internet. It ended up being mostly based on Trad Gang's Rob S's How To pattern.  http://www3.sympatico.ca/ragiwarmbear/diy/bc/backplan.html
I also looked at a couple of other How To patterns. I shoot a 30+" arrow so I made a 24" depth quiver and added a pocket for stringer, wax, and misc. I also used some of the left over lacing to put in an arrow divider.  I had a good time with the project and am very happy the quiver.   .

I also had enough leftover to make an arm-guard. I ended up buying a leather punch along with my leather and lacing materials, so i think cost wise i may have broken even with the cost of a quiver but I had the project and am ahead by a leather punch and an arm-guard. I did this a couple of years ago and don't recall exact the cost of materials.
A quiver could be a good winter break project. Good Luck.

[two4hooking]

I would advise if you want to use this quiver for hunting that you follow a "Hill Style" pattern and use the proper weight leather if you are set on building one.  A quality leather back quiver will last you a lifetime of hunting if it is treated correct.  That alone should make the price of a new one tolerable. The other factor is getting one well designed may indeed be the difference between you hunting with it for years to come, or using it for storage décor in your war room.  

Hill knew a thing or two about hunting when he developed this design.

Personally I just ordered 2 from Nate Steen (not that I needed another) but his models are based directly on John Schulz and HIll and Nate's craftsmanship are second to none.  So happy with them.  Also Howard HIll Archery and others (usually the sponsors here that also know a thing or two and sell Hill Style Bows) will sell you a quality well designed quiver.  Then the next step is to break in the quiver in properly and then use it until it becomes a part of you.  Otherwise you may end up with a piece of décor and the excuses of "my arrows rattle around, it's too thick in my hunting area, I bend over and my arrows fall out, I catch arrows on every branch, I'm not flexible enough, etc. etc.

   

 

[M60gunner]

I use Latigo leather, 8-10oz. I have made Hill style as well as the Robin Hood style. The orginal Hil Style holds a bunch of arrows. Last one I made I made not so big in diameter. Holds a doz. real nice. I tried tooling leather years ago but it never "looked" right for me. I gave that one away.
I do not use one in the summer here in AZ. just to hot and the Latigo bleeds. I also make the holster style side quivers.

[Bladepeek]

Leather is not cheap, but if you make a pattern from brown wrapping paper and take it with you to your leather source, you may be able to find a small shoulder that the pattern will fit on and not have to buy more than you need. Sure is a lot of fun and if you take your time, you wind up with a very satisfying accessory that you made yourself. For me, that's quite important.

[Jack Skinner]

I have made Hill style leather quivers and they have lasted me years. Here is a prototype I made of wool and suede leather hand sawn with yarn.
 
 
I have a piece of hanger sewn at the mouth to hold it open the way I want.
Just another option other than all leather.

[mike g]

I like to use 5oz Stoned Oil sides. From the leather factory.
    Even with my discount they still run about $144.00 + Shipping.
    Sometimes they run a little thicker, Sometimes thinner, Same thing with the stiffness.
    Design and strap placement is the key.
Yes a Quiver should conform and collapse, But I still find it humorous when people say when I bend over, The Arrows fall out, Quick solution, Kneel down and pick up your Arrow....
    Enough said, What do I know about it....

[two4hooking]

6 field tips.....mine can be completely inverted and the arrows do not slide out.....


 

[Green]

^^^^This^^^^

As Greg said before, a well designed quiver will function perfectly and last a lifetime.