Buckskin haversack

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I've never ever spent so much time focussed on one single project before.

this haversack was originally 3 manky looks bloody deerskins I have worked them all the way from that to this haversack.
I used Grain on buckskin (grain tan) for the gusset and lid as its more dirt resistant.
A ll stitched with buckskin thonging cut from the hides.
it has a decent capacity sufficient for a day's jaunt to the woods or if combined with some forethought and a bed roll it'd suffice for an overnighter once the weather gets a bit more pleasent

the masochist in me is now planning a rucksack and belt pouch to team with it
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bobnewboy

Native
Jul 2, 2014
1,292
847
West Somerset
What a great piece of work! You know the origin and every pore of those skins, and every stitch of the haversack is your own. There is nothing as satisfying as using gear you have made yourself. Every time you look at it, or someone asks you about it, you know that you would be able to give them absolutely chapter and verse about it. Keep up the good work :)
 
everything bar shooting the deer and skinning it was done by me.
i used eggs and a small splash of rapeseed oil as a brain substitute.
Hides were defleshed then bucked in lye solution.
i roughly followed the process detailed in "Deerskins to Buckskins by Matt Richards" including acidifying.
a few tricks learnt from friends and collegues may have been used too.
lots of hard work handsoftening and using cable as well.
i smoked the hides in a smoke tent in my back garden
all the lacing/thonging was spiral cut from circles cut from the buckskin hides.
all stitch holes were punched and i used an awl to open the holes to sew saddle stitch by hand
 
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Dogoak

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 24, 2009
2,285
286
Cairngorms
A lot of work gone in to that mate, I applaud you.
First thing I thought of when I saw the picture was 'I bet that feels lovely'.
It'd be great to see the results of your next endeavour!
 
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Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
38,937
4,570
S. Lanarkshire
That's a power of work there, Sam :)
Kudos, many kudos :D

It's a lovely colour, but you're going to be hard pressed to keep it clean, no ? especially if you're intending it for trogging about.
Does smoking add much in the way of showerproofing ?

M
 
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Mary
The grain on buckskin i used for the lid and gusset is more water resistant than standard buckskin, its also less prone to dirty marks.
also adds to the patina and "lived in" look.
smokin a hide doesn't do anything for showerproofing it's more for sealing in the tanning and softening. i have had it explained by Theresa to me many times but she "Sciences"me and apparently my eyes glaze over after a certain point :eek:

Dogoak
not gonna lie feels pretty good
 
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Mesquite

It is what it is.
Mar 5, 2008
27,803
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~Hemel Hempstead~
Very impressive work Sam on all fronts. goodjob

I know you used scissors to cut the thonging and panels but did you use any other metal tools in its construction?
 

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