Primitive Canteen....

[Crewdawg445]

Afternoon all, I'm in the market to construct my own primitive canteen. I'm having difficulties finding any useful information. I've thought about constructing a simple water skin, to making a leather cover for the standard military 1qt canteen. Would like to see and hear some other ideas from you all!

 

[LRB]

See if you can find a canteen gourd. That is one name they go by. They are flatish with the stem in the center. Already look like a canteen. You could also cover a glass bottle with leather. Bear in mind, canteen use by civilians would be uncommon, but today much safer than drinking from a creek.

 

[Crewdawg445]

I pondered the gourd idea... Easy and effective, I really do like the glass bottle idea as well. I'm actually wanting this to be more for hunting purposes while out in the woods. Some might say just use a regular canteen or water bottle, but we all know its much more rewarding and fun to utilize things you've made and look the part as well! :thumbsup:

 

[Black Hand]

I made a leather canteen and am very happy with how it has worked.

 

[satx78247]

You might want to look at the local WINE MERCHANT for a suitable pottery liter bottle. = Several brands of European wines come in such bottles, equipped with corks that make FINE water or other liquids containers AND pottery is less fragile than glass.
(We carry cooking oil, olive oil & other liquids in ours, as they come in several "shades" from "early white" to dark brown & therefore don't need labels.)

Fwiw, I bought 6 of the pottery bottles for one dollar at a local garage sale, though I had to find corks to fit the bottles elsewhere.

just a thought, satx

 

[LRB]

Me too, but I bought a cheese box canteen couple years back and like it a little better. Also have a canteen gourd canteen. I like it also, but overall the cheeses box wins with me.

 

[Black Hand]

The leather canteen I made.

I was always afraid of breaking the gourd, the metal one I used a few times was a WWII surplus while the leather one was free-standing (flat-bottomed, while commercial ones are usually rounded and somewhat small in volume), light and tough. I've dropped the leather canteen (full) onto blacktop and I've had it freeze with no ill effects.

I've not had the opportunity to try a cheesebox canteen, but will likely make one in the future.

 

[Stophel]

I have a copper canteen, so I'm good to go. :grin:

I made a canteen from a stoneware bottle and put a leather cover/hemp strap on it. It's neat, and it works well. It's not light, however.

I actually have... or had, it's probably around somewhere... a small gourd canteen that I bought at Mansker's many moons ago. I never really used it much. It's lined with wax and the water tastes a little like wax after being in it for a bit. Maybe it was just the particular wax used. Not a big deal, but I don't care for it. I'm wondering how necessary this is. :hmm:
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ga...-to-make-water-canteens-from-dried-gourds.htm


Here is King Stanislaus I Leszczyński of Poland, dressed as a pilgrim, ca. 1730 with his bottle gourd hanging from his belt. I would be willing to wager that this "double bulge" bottle gourd type was the common variety used at the time.

 

[omarick1948]

I think I would put the canteen on a shoulder strap, as there is a lot of weight for a belt carry.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Definitely a shoulder strap! So many good inputs! I like them all!

 

[user 922]

I have been searching for a tutorial explaining how to make a cheesebox canteen. I know it's similar to a Shaker box but it needs both sides captured and it needs to hold water. It seems that they were a commonly made style.

 

[George]

I made a 1-quart canteen of a plain round gourd 20 years ago and have used it extensively since. Unlined, untreated, it has served me well and shows no damage..



Spence

 

[Crewdawg445]

I certainly am enjoying the gourd canteens, simple and very functional. Seems simple enough to construct, so I need to find one!

 

[coloradoclyde]

Somebody sells gourd canteens...but I can't remember who.. Turkey foot maybe... :idunno:

 

[Black Hand]

Quite easy to make a gourd canteen - the toughest part is finding a decent gourd...

 

[tenngun]

There is a good vidio on you tube about making a jackware canteen by Still water woods craft by Steve Davis. He makes a simple circular design ith ears in 1 qt. I made one based on his in 1/2 gallon by going to 11" instead of 7. I used a tapered wood dowle to hold open the mouth and not a copper tubing plug.

 

[Crewdawg445]

I'd like to make it rather than buy. I'll do that 100% of the time as I find it one of the most rewarding parts of this hobby. :hatsoff:

 

[coloradoclyde]

Good attitude.... :hatsoff:
I look forward to your results...

 

[jamesthomas]

Jas. Townsend & Sons sell very nice Gourd canteens. I just received their Gourd canteen like the one pictured and it is VERY nice, and for 50 bucks is a good deal.

 

[Black Hand]

The going price for a gourd (depending on size) is less than $10 (even at inflated "mountain" prices where I live).