Millbank bag alternative idea

[Van-Wild]

I used to have a millbank bag. Awesome bit of kit. I traded it because I never used it. Well now I'm thinking I should get another one!

But, since the millbank bags job is to filter out debris and sediment and doesn't of course remove bacteria, could I simply use a cotton sweat rag instead, doubled over?

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[oldtimer]

Coffee filters work too, but lack the volume.

 

[Herman30]

could I simply use a cotton sweat rag instead, doubled over?

No, it is not tightly weaved enough.

 

[SCOMAN]

Have a listen to Paul Kirtley's podcast with the manufacturer of the modern millbank bag. Very informative lesson on water hygiene as well as details on the millbank.

 

[Herman30]

Have a listen to Paul Kirtley's podcast with the manufacturer of the modern millbank bag. Very informative lesson on water hygiene as well as details on the millbank.

Link please. Can´t find it.

 

[Erbswurst]

Kirtley talked about this bag.
Several shops offer it, also in the UK.

Browns Bushcraft - our products - the brown filter bag

Brown's Bushcraft is an outdoor school based in the beautiful Charente Maritime region in the South West of France.

brownsbushcraft.com

Later appeared a version of Helikon Tex.

https://www.helikon-tex.com/en_eur/wf-wfb-co-survival-water-filter-bag.html

 

[Mesquite]

Link please. Can´t find it.

PK Podcast 023: Rupert Brown, Water Filter Bag Man

Rupert Brown discusses water purification, filtration and the Brown Filter Bag, plus teaching bushcraft in France...

paulkirtley.co.uk

 

[Le Loup]

I used to have a millbank bag. Awesome bit of kit. I traded it because I never used it. Well now I'm thinking I should get another one!

But, since the millbank bags job is to filter out debris and sediment and doesn't of course remove bacteria, could I simply use a cotton sweat rag instead, doubled over?

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

These are the bags I carry Van-Wild.

Regards, Keith.

 

[gra_farmer]

These are the bags I carry Van-Wild.

Regards, Keith.

Are those calico bags keith

 

[MrEd]

Kirtley talked about this bag.
Several shops offer it, also in the UK.

Browns Bushcraft - our products - the brown filter bag

Brown's Bushcraft is an outdoor school based in the beautiful Charente Maritime region in the South West of France.

brownsbushcraft.com

Later appeared a version of Helikon Tex.

https://www.helikon-tex.com/en_eur/wf-wfb-co-survival-water-filter-bag.html

I bought the browns version to compare with my genuine millbank - it works and clears faster but it definitely doesn’t remove as much as a genuine millbank bag

 

[Buckshot]

Truth is any kind of filter is better than nothing.
pouring it through your fingers to remove leaves is better than not!
But, the finer the material in the filter, the more debris will be removed.

As you say, none of the options provide drinking water as it will still need to be treated in some way (chemicals, boiling etc) to make it safe.
All it means is you may not need to chew your water before swallowing!

Seriously, one other thing to consider is depending on how you treat the water may change options for filtering. Chlorine is a contact chemical - it has to be next to the bug, germ, bacteria etc to kill it. If that bacteria is inside a piece of dirt the chlorine can't get close enough and so the water may not be as safe as you think.

 

[Le Loup]

Are those calico bags keith

One is calico the other is linen. No particular reason, just what I had on hand GF.
Keith.

 

[MrEd]

Truth is any kind of filter is better than nothing.
pouring it through your fingers to remove leaves is better than not!
But, the finer the material in the filter, the more debris will be removed.

As you say, none of the options provide drinking water as it will still need to be treated in some way (chemicals, boiling etc) to make it safe.
All it means is you may not need to chew your water before swallowing!

Seriously, one other thing to consider is depending on how you treat the water may change options for filtering. Chlorine is a contact chemical - it has to be next to the bug, germ, bacteria etc to kill it. If that bacteria is inside a piece of dirt the chlorine can't get close enough and so the water may not be as safe as you think.

Yep, I filter with the MB bag then Puritab or boil it.

I also only take from either large bodies of water (lakes for example) or flowing water like a river (not drainage ditches)

 

[Le Loup]

I always boil any found water in my cooking kettle, the bags are used to transfer the water from the source to the kettle. The only time I have failed to boil the water, is when I have collected rain water in my kettle from my shelter. But I have a large water bottle, this is the heaviest item I carry.

Keith.

 

[MikeLA]

The browns millbank is good I think there is another out there either from greenman bushcraft or the bushcraftstore will check

 

[MikeLA]

Yes
This one boonies used to be in single or group sizes

Greenman Bushcraft

For many years, the Millbank Bag was an essential piece of equipment for explorers, bushcrafters and army personnel - saving many lives by filtering life preserving water. Today, most Millbank Bags are surplus, and NOT safe to be used for their intended purpose because they were also used to...

www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk