haversack questions

[jasontn]

what size
what material
length of strap and width of strap
adjustable or fixed
leather flap or same as bag
im making me a new one roughly 13 wide by 15 deep with a scalloped leather flap. i need to put a strap on it and was wondering what you guys have. mine is made from linen with a heavy cotton duck lining. for the strap i have some 1 1/2 wide cotton strap material.

 

[chipper]

I would figure out what your going to put into your haversack and build it around that size. Smaller is obviously better. I use canvas and just let it get dirty. As far as the strap, put on all your winter clothes and measure the strap length for that size. It will be a bit longer in the summer but it will work all year round.
I make the 2" wide strap out of canvas by simply making a tube out of cloth. I cover up the seam by covering it with a 1" or so piece of inkle weave.
Don't forget, if you use a blanket and a trump line, you can roll some extra stuff up in your bed roll and make your haversack even smaller.

Some of the treckers around here have gone to not using a strap at all. They simply sew in two brass rings, one on each side where the strap should attach. They then forge two little dohickies that clip on ones belt. These dohickies each havce a hook that allows the bag to hang from ones belt. You can detach it quite easily. Is it P.C.? who knows, but it works quite nicely. You don't get all tangled up with a trump line, powder horn, possibles bag and a water canteen all draping around your neck.

Regards
Loyd Shindelbower
Loveland Colorado