New Quiver Project (Pics included)

[Peter Remling]

Greg, I am surprised at how many people like your old quiver, I thought you said this site was historically accurate.

Hi Lori:

As one of the oldest forum members, I can assure you it is historically accurate. Why I remember the time Gimli had one of his axes engraved by an elf and there was the time my borrowed horse threw a shoe and the dwarf smith not only made a shoe but insisted he personalize it. The personalization wasn't just a maker's mark it also said who he made it for and what the horses' name was, all in Dwarf glyphs.

So you see, decorations themselves are a form of written history.


How's that for some BS ?

Greg: I like her, she has a real good sense of humor, you've got your hands full.

[Ringulf]

There's no real good way to wear a two-strap quiver over a cloak. I just made extra-long straps so it can fit over it all. A single-strap works well since it holds one side out of the way and allows the other to flow freely, allowing to cover oneself, etc., but a single-strap will NOT gurantee that the arrows will be exactly where your had expects them to be when you reach for them, and THAT is critical.

In the BBC Robinhood series Robin used an upright vertical, almost "Backpack" quiver. it rested up and down his spine (might have made it a bit harder to draw from but it must have travelled well) He kept the quiver inside his cloak and had a hole in the center that was covered by the hood most of the time.
I am sure a flap could be employed when the quiver was not in use and the hood was.

This seemed to me a very interesting comprimise if one could get used to the vertical draw issue, yet wanted to use a hood or full cloak.

Personally I am to broad? Girthful? (Aw hell! FAT!) and can't get around to that spot as easily as I would like.

PS OH and BTW I just re read my post about ornimentation and Lori please forgive my little soapbox rant, I did not mean to sound harsh or condescending, I am fighting some similar wars amongst the SCA folks as concerns such subjects, so I tend to get a bit defensive! (It happens to us dwarves! hee hee.)

[Ringulf]

Greg, I am surprised at how many people like your old quiver, I thought you said this site was historically accurate.

Hi Lori:

As one of the oldest forum members, I can assure you it is historically accurate. Why I remember the time Gimli had one of his axes engraved by an elf and there was the time my borrowed horse threw a shoe and the dwarf smith not only made a shoe but insisted he personalize it. The personalization wasn't just a maker's mark it also said who he made it for and what the horses' name was, all in Dwarf glyphs.

So you see, decorations themselves are a form of written history.


How's that for some BS ?

Greg: I like her, she has a real good sense of humor, you've got your hands full.

You misunderstand! You borrowed that shoe and I was just making sure I was gonna be able to get it back...I mean we are prideful and artistic and all...but we are nothing if not practical!

[Greg]

In the BBC Robinhood series Robin used an upright vertical, almost "Backpack" quiver. it rested up and down his spine (might have made it a bit harder to draw from but it must have travelled well) He kept the quiver inside his cloak and had a hole in the center that was covered by the hood most of the time.
I am sure a flap could be employed when the quiver was not in use and the hood was.

This seemed to me a very interesting comprimise if one could get used to the vertical draw issue, yet wanted to use a hood or full cloak.

My last quiver before this setup was a backpack style, and the vertical draw is very comfortable. However, keeping such a cloak with a large hole in it (even if there was a flap that could cover it) watertight would be an issue. The LOTR film cloaks often had strategically placed holes in them to allow for quiver straps and the like, but such a design makes using the cloak as a tent, tarp, or blanket in wet weather impractical. My canvas cloakis my mainstay trekking tent, so it needs to be watertight.

In addition, having a cloak free-flowing around you during a combat situation is also impractical, so I have grown accustomed to and prefer having the cloak bound up behind me from both sides under both straps. If it gets cold/wet and I want to wrap myself up while still traveling, I can just unbuckle the secondary strap and wrap myself from one side (and perhaps pin it to my left shoulder, via my dunedain star brooch, eh? . When shooting, the possibility of the cloak draping down in front, tangling in the bow, bowstring, draw, etc. could destroy accuracy and prove fatal.

I'm curious about the RH cloak design you're talking about, but it certainly isn't for me.

[Ringulf]

I thought it might give Dirheal in Tunis an alternative, but you raise some very valid points.
It is all a compramise it seems, and would have to depend on the situation.

Versatility I think is the key to being prepared for changing circumstances and specialised equipment like the RH cloak/hood tends to get less versitile as it gets specific.

Still the right guy in the right situation could have the benefit of options if he wishes to compromise versitility.

[Greg]

Agreed.

[Mirimaran]

My own cloak is split up the back about 3/4 of the way and it accommodates my straps and etc. I based it off of Strider's original cloak in FOTR and it's actually quite comfortable. When I wear it, I tend to wrap it around my arms when its cold.

Ken

[kaelln]

There is nothing "un" or "Anti" Historical about fine craftsmanship and decoration.
We as modern crafters certainly don't have the corner on that market!

The historical nature of it, IMHO is not hurt one iota by a bit of embelishment on treasured posessions.

Hear, hear! Huzzah!

[Willrett]

Greg new quiver looks great good job as always.

Is there a way to make the (any) quiver easily convertible to a belt quiver when cloak is needed for better cover.

[Jon]

I was at first totally against cutting holes in my cloak, but thinking a bit harder about it, I decided that the only reason I use it for is really shade and camouflage, so cutting a hole in it for a better fit for my quiver wouldn't be too bad an option.
In October and November when it starts raining, I could use a different cloak (I need a waterproof one anyway). The reason why I wouldn't want it tied back and out of the way is because I would often need it for spreading out about myself, laying flat against the sand (believe me, when you get the right colour, it really does work from about thirty meters away). We don't go right down south that often though, so the terrain isn't that often dunes, etc...

[Greg]

Greg new quiver looks great good job as always.

Is there a way to make the (any) quiver easily convertible to a belt quiver when cloak is needed for better cover.

Any back quiver can have the main strap run through a belt easily. It won't necessarily hang right, and it may swing around a lot, but it could work. It would take almost zero effort to just stitch a single belt loop to the backside/underside of a back quiver, hidden out of the way, for just such an occasion. But, like I mentioned earlier, when I need to use my cloak, I just undo the secondary strap, and half of it can be pulled alll the way around to my opposite shoulder, or draped around me for cover etc. It just allows my quiver to slip down on my back where I have to try harder to reach nocks, which is a big problem in my book.

Alright, on to further updates:

Here's the quiver seen at the start of the thread with my now signature luggage straps, plus some additional borders stitched on. It will be a darker brown after I oil it to help waterproof it, just like my needs wallet and bracers, and I'll be burning in some simple borders and maybe a few runes on it just to personalize it a bit more. The arrow sock is not two colors like it appears...the top used to fold over itself before I stitched it as a drawstring, so the bottom majority has faded a few minor shades of grey, but the flash made it straight up brown, which bugged me. Once I get hold of the sheepskins Pete was gracious to provide me with, I'll be making a few new ones, so I can have a spare, can redesign the broadhead cup at the base, etc.

Anywho, here it is, front and back, in summer kit. This is all linen+leather+canvas; no wool apart from the bedroll. Bedroll is wool blanket wrapped in heavy canvas groundcloth. I'll get some additional pics in the coming month or so in full winter kit, and not in my apartment. For now, this'll do.

[Jon]

Looks fantastic, Greg. Is that your bedroll poking out a bit above the groundsheet? how do you keep it waterproof?

[Cinead]

Back quivers evoke that sense of Robin Hood, Legolas and fantasy archers in general....I LOVE the way they look.

That does not mean I like them for actual use. When you draw an arrow from any back quiver it is as if you are waving your hand at your target saying, "HEY! Look at me I am right over here!"

Check these out...it is what I use and as near to perfect as your can get!

http://www.selfbow.com/jackstraditional ... lkers.html

I made mine to be Middle-Earth appropriate. Hand sewn with linen string, veg tanned and oil finished leather and nothing modern....

These quivers allow you to draw an arrow with minimum movement, while being able to see the exact arrow you are drawing. It lets me carry 10 small game arrows, 6 BH arrows and a judo point arrow for stump shooting....

You can also cinch up the strap if you ever wanted to wear it as a back quiver. Because of the way it carries it is easy to carry through the brush here in KY. KY is FULL of briars and Wait-a-minute vines and loves to grab arrows in a back quiver!

[Eledhwen]

That's a rigid version of the arrow bag that I use, except the arrows don't come through the bottom as they do with my bag. Very practical, most excellent for hunting. I too carry a mix of blunts and broadheads and being able to see them without a lot of fuss is a major plus.

Greg; your kit is looking grand!

Eledhwen

[Greg]

Looks fantastic, Greg. Is that your bedroll poking out a bit above the groundsheet? how do you keep it waterproof?

An excellent question. I think I'm going to re-wrap that like an upside-down burrito so the groundcloth covers the top of the blanket...maybe the bottom too. I've never had issues with rain surprising me while trekking in the past, but now that I'm in the midwest, where anything is possible, I should do something about it. Thanks!

Because of the way it carries it is easy to carry through the brush here in KY. KY is FULL of briars and Wait-a-minute vines and loves to grab arrows in a back quiver!

Kentucky, eh? Have you considered joining us next month in Indiana? :shameless self-promotion: