Traditional canvas packs thread

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,306
3,089
67
Pembrokeshire
Great thread.

For those who fancy having a go at making their own...

owtfG.jpg




...from here.

:)
That looks like fun!
I might even have to try that out :)
 

vizsla

Native
Jun 6, 2010
1,517
0
Derbyshire
Some stunning packs very enveous of your wanderer john.
Must admit iv been meaning to have a go at making one for a while.
I love the personal touches people like to put on traditional packs
 
Nov 29, 2004
7,808
26
Scotland
There are some pages from Horace Kepharts 'Camping and Woodcraft' here, which feature several drawings of old style packs.

4Oqv0.jpg


XYQjV.jpg


v0DZD.jpg
 
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Snufkin

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Oct 13, 2004
2,099
139
54
Norfolk
2007_0907Image0002.jpg


My Alder Stream pack. I added the leather lashing points on the lid for a bedroll.
 

Lynx

Nomad
Jun 5, 2010
423
0
Wellingborough, Northants
I bought a lovely canvas rucksack on the market recently. It cost just £15 and is very well made with lots of compartments all of which are lined with black nylon. I'll sort out some pics.
 

vizsla

Native
Jun 6, 2010
1,517
0
Derbyshire
John mate how do you find the wanderer as a day pack im trying to decide if its a little big for my needs or not. Cheers fella
 

Samon

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 24, 2011
3,970
45
Britannia!
I think they look great but they seem to cost alot for a nice one..

can you still pick up the old swedish framed ones for like £20?
 

vizsla

Native
Jun 6, 2010
1,517
0
Derbyshire
T
I think they look great but they seem to cost alot for a nice one..

can you still pick up the old swedish framed ones for like £20?

Theres no doupt ther pricey but in my eyes worth everypenny if you break down the costs of handmade items like these you soon realise there not too bad. Plus theres a lifetime warranty not that you will need it.
The ex army packs are still available though. But companys like duluth will never be able to compete with surplus gear.
Each to there own i suppose mate
 

vizsla

Native
Jun 6, 2010
1,517
0
Derbyshire
Thought id awaken this thread for some more inspiration on my pack im building.
Anyone done any mods or anything to theres
 

Silverhill

Maker
Apr 4, 2010
909
0
42
Derbyshire
Mines a big standard canvas one from
the 60's or maybe later. No mods to speak of as it's on loan from my old dad, but it has foam blocks as 'padding' ( I use the term loosely, lmao) that need removing as the provide nothing but grief.

I'd toyed with the idea of giving it the wax treatment, but I'm not sure if It'd be much benefit over a waterproof liner. Once you've waxed it, I guess it's unlikely you can return it to an unwaxed state.

I still like the concept though. I like your 58 pat waxed up pack Ash :)
 

vizsla

Native
Jun 6, 2010
1,517
0
Derbyshire
Cheers pal very nice of you. its pretty much done now just a couple of new ideas to ad but it usable now. Il post some picks soon.
 
Jan 31, 2013
2
0
Portland
I have and alternately carry a Frost river "Lewis and Clark" pack and an old Canadian military pack board, which also sports a tump line. Before this I hade a "Hudson Bay" pack from Duluth packs which I traveled with for years. At 6"x28"x26" it was HUGE, (The Lewis and Clark is about the same size) and my nick name for it was Hyundai. For a short while I even had the North woods pack also by Duluth pack.
I am a new member (we're talking minutes here, lads) so it will take me a wee bit to sort out how to post pix. If any one has suggestions, I wld be grateful.

A Good man in a storm, Stormpriest
 
Jan 31, 2013
2
0
Portland
i no there are a few of us who love canvas packs so i thought it would be nice start a thread to show them all under one thread.
id like to see any modifications and ideas to personalise and improve.
Any packs from duluth to swedish army or even home made so please show us some pics.
Heres mine the first was a frost river which was great but it didnt suit my back and the top of the straps rubbed but it was very well made.
The next one is my current pack that iv been using for a while now and love it but im thinking of ataching some leather compresion straps as i dont usualy need the full size except for extended trips. If i do il post some picks.
Thanks alot cant wait to see them
5f9786b3-0db2-aaab.jpg
5f9786b3-0dfe-99d8.jpg


sent from my secret retreat

that top pack, looks like a Duluth pack Northwoods. But... mine didn't have the side pockets. First I had their "Hudson Bay" pack, bout the size of a Hyundai but worked well. Then, I mistakenly got the Northwoods, only a mistake because I got used to the size of the HB.
Now I have both a WWI Canadian metal Military pack board and a Frost river "Lewis and Clark" If there is interest, I'll post pix later.
 

drliamski

Full Member
Sep 11, 2006
821
0
43
East London
Not too sure whether these count as 'traditional' or not :dunno:

My main user, a Swedish surplus Haglofs LK50



I'm still to mod this pack in any way, shape or form ~ padded shoulder straps and a belt would be high on the list as the only time I have an issue is when I need to carry an excess of water. The loss of comfort when fully loaded was a big reason for Swedish squaddies not being overly fond of these packs.


A stock pic (borrowed from here) of a very recent acquisition, a Swiss M70 pack

1708144812504040_1.jpg


The shoulder straps WILL be modded. I don't mind the complete lack of padding, but the straps are ergonomically useless.
Be aware that not all M70 packs come with shoulder straps. This pack was originally designed to attach directly to clothing.


Want! Where was is acquired?
 

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