Modifying (improving?) a Swedish LK70 rucksack

[Tiley]

I've just taken delivery of one of these beauties and am anxious to get the very best out of it. Does anyone have any suggestions about how and with what I might improve it? I am thinking in particular of the shoulder straps/waist belt but any other suggestions or recommendations would be very welcome.

Many thanks in advance!

Richard

 

[johnboy]

Leon and Neil of Greencraft bushcraft and erstwhile mods on here used to offer some improve straps for the LK70 IIRC

 

[EdS]

simple - bin it and buy a decent modern sack.

 

[Dreadhead]

i just bought one of these off ebay waiting for delivery! will probably mod some of the straps if i have enough leather left. im still not sure what material these are iv read some are canvas and some are modern cordura or something :s so not sure if i should wax it or not

 

[blacktimberwolf]

http://www.bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37537&page=7

I'd have to sort out that waist belt .....Couldn't stand undoing & doing up the belt buckle everytime I took it off...The rest though is not disimilar to the old Karrimor external frame packs in the 80's, they were pretty comfortable from what I remember.

 

[Dreadhead]

i saw that thread a few days ago some great info on swedish military gear. not too sure about other mods though...mainly just the straps. would be cool to make a wooden frame but thats beyond my skills

 

[woof]

simple - bin it and buy a decent modern sack.

Lol !

Tried one of those Swedish packs once, the frame rubbed against my knife sheath making a hole in my swannie ranger, binned it after that.

Rob

 

[Graham_S]

I replaced the harness with a set of US MOLLE straps, You can pick them up on eBay.
My next plan (when I get around to it) is getting rid of the side pockets and fitting PLCE pocket zips.

 

[decorum]

http://www.bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37537&page=7

<<<>>>

.the rest though is not disimilar to the old karrimor external frame packs in the 80's, they were pretty comfortable from what i remember.

Thanks for the link ...

there was also the lk 50 but it is less known and i doubt you will find one for sale. They were made by haglöfs, a well known swedish outdoors company ...

... I hadn't heard of or found reference to the LK50 prior to reading that and I'd assumed that my pack was a LK35 . Mind you, it did take about eight months for me to find the Haglofs name stamp

 

[Dreadhead]

just got mine in the post. seems the big hefty straps are real leather but the smaller straps on the side pouches etc feel like fake rubberised crap. will most likely try and replace all that. and i dont like the webtex styled shoulder straps much bleugh. was off ebay so most likely a poor reproduction im thinking?

 

[Granite Head]

was off ebay so most likely a poor reproduction im thinking?

Who was the ebay seller?

 

[Dreadhead]

the camo shop

 

[Gill]

the camo shop

u got a link Hamish?

 

[Dreadhead]

i got the last one in stock this was the shop though http://stores.ebay.co.uk/thecamoshop

 

[Gill]

i got the last one in stock this was the shop though http://stores.ebay.co.uk/thecamoshop

I have one already buddy i love it i was just trying to see if it was different ie a copy.

 

[Dreadhead]

i see. so what are the straps like on yours on the pockets etc? mine feel like cheap rubber... the main straps and waist strap are decent leather though

 

[Tiley]

i see. so what are the straps like on yours on the pockets etc? mine feel like cheap rubber... the main straps and waist strap are decent leather though

The straps on mine (recently arrived) are the same as yours. I've taken the plunge and ordered up some US MOLLE straps to replace those glorious (!) throw-backs to backpacking discomfort of the 1980s; how I'm to replace the ones on the sack itself, I don't really know.

I was also quite surprised by the colour of it. It doesn't seem to be the expected olive-y green - more a deep-ish blue-y green. I do take some comfort from the three crowns and the date under the lid, though. Perhaps an earlier contributor was right: maybe this one should be for sale...? Or maybe not... I think I'd better try it out first!

 

[Graham_S]

The only issue I have with mine is that the side pockets are too small. The front pocket holds my tarp and lines comfortably. The sides, well I'll be replacing them with PLCE eventually. I use it when I need to pack a lot of kit, usually scout camps and the moot etc. I've been using mine for years now.

 

[Tiley]

I've got some US MOLLE shoulder straps on the way but I am still on the quest for a replacement waist belt. Does anyone know if the US MOLLE one will fit? Is there another good, readily available alternative?

As ever, any help or advice most gratefully received!

Many thanks.
Richard

 

[Gill]

I have never found this bergan to be so uncomfortable and i have a few rucksacks to say the least!