Knapsack Opinions Needed

[Crewdawg445]

I just finished another knapsack which is my first double strap version.

The simplest details IMO are almost always the hardest choices to make... Should I paint the flap with my oilcloth mixture (Iron oxide/LSO) or just waterproof as normal without the iron? :idunno:

 

[Black Hand]

You may find the buttons a nuisance (I used leather tabs and double-D buckles for security and adjustability).

If high-quality canvas, you could omit the waterproofing altogether as it will shed water. I might take it for a roll in the garden or a dip in something to take the "new" off....

Did you happen to reinforce the areas where the straps attach? They are a high-stress failure point as I discovered...

 

[Crewdawg445]

I like the buttons, easily able to unbutton them with one hand. On another knapsack I made, leather ties as you mentioned are used.

Being heavy duck, it indeed sheds just fine. Essentially just a personal detail for the coloration.

Reinforced areas, yes for sure. The entire bag body is doubled, triple on the strap areas.

As for the new look, absolutely it's far to nice looking, isn't completely done yet. :thumbsup:

Well, I'll probably go roll around the yard to break it in! Lol

 

[Black Hand]

To the best of my knowledge, (some) military knapsacks were painted on the flap. Now I can't say absolutely they were the only ones painted, but the majority of the ones I've seen were...

My approach to reinforce stress areas was to sandwich the canvas between 2 layers of leather and sew through all 3 at once with waxed heavy linen using a saddle-stitch.

 

[tenngun]

IMHO let it age naturally.they did get new stuff back then. Take it on a few tracks or even short hold it will age quick enough. After a time or two on wet ground or stuffed with some dirty pot and smelly damp socks it will age just fine.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Beautiful piece .... :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

I say not to the iron oxide....just my opinion.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Thank you! Well it is indeed aged already! Went on a trek this evening. We had a little rain lastnight and with the fresh foliage on the ground I slipped and slid on my back down a creek bank... Needless to say it aged and I didn't even have to attempt the process!

 

[coloradoclyde]

That's a historical and period correct way of aging..... :haha:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Darn right!

 

[MSW]

I'd go with the oilcloth mix. one guy's advice: free and well worth the price :wink:

 

[SgtErv]

I'm all about redundant systems as failsafes, so would go with waterproofing. There's nothing better than dry gear on a wet day haha

 

[Black Hand]

The issue I have with waterproofing (wax or Linseed oil & iron oxide) is that the material is less resistant to tearing since it can no longer flex. I need my pack to flex...

 

[ZUG]

Very Nice -- and it looks well made I commend you on your workmanship :bow: - as to how to finish it -- for me I'd let it age naturally :v .

 

[Crewdawg445]

Thank you sir :hatsoff:

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I'd paint the flap from where the top of the straps start, and the outside bottom of the pack body, from 1/2" under where the flap covers, down to the fold. So...You have unpainted canvas under the flap, and against your back so you get the flex, but you also get a good amount of moisture deflection. See how that does for you. As SgtErv said, dry gear on a wet day is good!

LD

 

[coloradoclyde]

I'm curious what time period , style or era that knapsack conforms to?

 

[Crewdawg445]

From what I have gathered, late 18th century towards the end of the Revolution.

I'm not basing this on any particular design, rather something that would have been based on one a common militiamen or woodsman may have seen in passing. From there he could have made it the way he wanted homemade which certainly happened.

I'm sure someone can chime in with a more extensive source.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Basically it looks like a military haversack that somebody sewed two straps on to make it into a pack.

LD

 

[Crewdawg445]

Legitimate, and I'd bet money that certainly did happen.