58 pattern water bottle - taste ?

[JonathanD]

To get the smell out of any type of drink bottle, flask etc. You need to put salt and hot water in it and leave it for a while with the top on loose.

I must try that. I've always used bicarbonate of soda.

 

[TallMikeM]

They're not as tough as a '58 bottle...or most military bottles come to that. That's why the military don't use them.

I've used both, the '58 when I was in and a naglene now. Been using it for about 8 years now, in very rough condidtions, and it's fine. Not sure what "conditions" you'd find yourself in where it wouldn't be tough enough.
As for the military not using something, that's a poor argument. The military don't use a lot of kit, for all sorts of reason, and use a lot of substandard kit as well.