Fjallraven Vintage Shoulder

[mrcairney]

There are some brands that you always think you'll never own. One for me is Fjallraven. But thanks to ebay I do now!

I managed to pick up a vintage shoulder for under £30* posted. It's a really nice bag. I wanted a new bag because the one I use for work, well... it's a girls one (don't ask)

Not only will it be good for the office, but I think it'll be more than suitable as a daybag in the woods if you like to travel light like me. Plus it looks much nicer than my maxped fatboy.

Here's some pics for those of you that have never seen one up close.




*to be fair, they don't break the bank new (I think they're about £50) but still, I have scottish blood...

 

[John Fenna]

Yup - they are great bags - I have had one in almost constant use for years
It makes a good foraging bag, briefcase, day bag etc etc and has proved tough as old boots - a good catch at that price!

 

[mrcairney]

I do believe you reviewed one back when BCUK was a co.uk (or so google tells me!)

I can't imagine waxing it though, seems strange! It's not as nice out as it was yesterday and I'm off to find some birch bark, so I'll give it a test with my bimble loadout

 

[John Fenna]

Yup - and it is still going strong!

 

[mrcairney]

I can't actually read the review online, it doesn't link anywhere. But if you know where I can read it I'd love to see your thoughts on it in retrospective.

 

[John Fenna]

Here is a copy of the words ....
COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] Magazine: BCUKWorking Title: Fjallraven: Vintage Shoulder BagSubject Area: ReviewsRights Granted: Text: Copyright John Fenna. First British Serial Rights only. Photographs: Copyright John Fenna. Single use, non exclusive, UK editorial rights only.Date: 24 September 2007 [h=2]FJALLRAVEN: VINTAGE SHOULDER BAG[/h] Was it Indiana Jones who made the “man bag” acceptable? Whoever it was, the use of a shoulder bag by a man is now fully accepted and many styles are in use by bushcrafters from “gas mask” bags and leather “hunting” bags to shoulder bags designed purely as “man bags” I have been trying out the Fjallraven Vintage Shoulder bag, which incorporates “vintage” features, such as the leather buckle straps, with modern fabrics to give you a stylish, hardwearing, practical and capacious bag that many will find ideal for a range of uses. I have used Vintage Shoulder as a day bag, holding all my kit for a day’s walk in lowland areas, a “foraging bag” collecting wild foods etc, and as a pure “man bag” on trips into town, and it has proved excellent in all these roles. The main part of the bag measures approx 28 x 33 x 11 cm and has a deep, shaped flap closure with twin leather strap/white metal buckle closures. Under the flap you find two flap-topped patch pockets with nylon linings and Velcro tab closures, one pocket approx 16 x 14 x 3cm, the other approx 13 x 14 x 3cm. The pockets are only “boxed” on the “inner” side; the other side is plain and fitted into the side of the front panel. In between the pockets there are four pen/pencil pocket tubes. The panel the pockets are mounted on is in fact the front of a large front pocket, which is almost the full size of the front of the bag, and which has a nylon lining and a small Velcro tab top closure. The back of the bag is a similar pocket, while the main compartment is accessed through a chunky metal zip in a shaped top panel of the bag. The nylon lining of the main compartment features a zip-closed, nylon “security” pocket. The exterior fabric used in this well-made shoulder bag is Fjallraven’s Classic G1000 impregnated 65/35 polycotton material that is tough and weather resistant, while the fully adjustable shoulder strap is of a 5cm wide cotton webbing with bronzed metal fittings. The sides of the bag are faced with the same webbing and feature 2 leather loops each side. These loops have proved ideal for securing extra items, and also just look good! The Vintage Shoulder Bag holds about 10 litre of kit and weighs about 520gms empty and, as well as looking very smart, is also a very practical bag to carry for a variety of purposes. The different pockets allow you to organise your bits of gear, or separate the foraged items and the nylon pocket lining are pretty much “wipe clean”. The bag can also be washed without too much difficulty. Available in Light Khaki or Olive with natural leather detailing, the Fjallraven “Vintage Shoulder” teams well with the Vintage 20 Day Sack, should find wide popularity among the brushcraft fraternity, and costs around £42.The G-1000 fabric is machine washable at a 40 degree wash and can be re-proofed with Fjallravens own “Bees wax”, which can be purchased in blocks (soap size). To re-proof, just rub the wax all over the garment, and gently heat by either hair-dryer, or gently over an open fire.
For more information check out www.fjallraven.com “Four Leaf” rated

 

[mrcairney]

Ha! Yes, I believe it was Indiana Jones.

True story: When I moved to Aberystwyth, my original man bag caused quite a stir. Apparently, they had never seen one before.

 

[mrcairney]

Quick Q: Is Greenland wax just bees and paraffin mix? Came home in a downpour and will need to reproof (since I didn't buy it new)

 

[decorum]

Quick Q: Is Greenland wax just bees and paraffin mix?

Link to how to make it at home .

 

[mrcairney]

tip o' the flat cap to you sir.

 

[decorum]

Just make sure the paraffin wax is stearin free

 

[mrcairney]

Ah, that could have been my un-doing. Easy to find online? I know there's nowhere round here that sells it. I can get beeswax though

 

[decorum]

Should be ~ if all else fails, ebay should turn something up.

Stearin won't cause a problem with water repellency ~ it'll just be _very_ ... rigid.

 

[mrcairney]

we don't want that. The material is lovely and... um... flaccid?

PS. Found some pure wax on ebay. Thanks again!

 

[decorum]

No worries ~ just so's you know, greenland wax will affect the feel of the material and it will make it somewhat stiffer.


As with all things ~ check it out on a discreet area rather than just blatting the whole bag and not liking the end result. Depending on the bags cleaning instructions (if it has any ) you might be able to machine clean (ie remove the wax) the bag if/when needed/wanted .