Which basic smock?

[Ogri the trog]

I'm dragging this up again to canvass peoples ideas on modifications that I can do to the TItantex garment.
Here are some ideas that I have considered:-
Waist drawstring - not that I actually have a waistline, but something to keep the garment from flapping around too much - possibility.
Hem drawstring - initially I thought it would be OK then I rejected it on the grounds that any rain is likely to run strainght onto your trousers.
Wrist closures - I want to modify these to tighten more securely - the velcro just doesn't cut it for me, something like the Dutch army parka system would be better I think.
Hood - I like the hood as it is, I don't often wear a hood, but the bulk of material behind your neck is quite warming if the weather is at all inclement.
Front pocket flaps - to eliminate rain/forrest ingress and better secure its contents, not sure how yet but again not velcro as that would irritate your wrists when accessing or using the handwarmer idea.
Inner neck area - I had an idea of creating a baffle that would prevent heat loss through the neck, but I'm not convinced as yet.

If I could ask readers to comment on any of the above as I might be flogging a dead horse or inventing the next big thing.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[fast but dim]

I'm dragging this up again to canvass peoples ideas on modifications that I can do to the TItantex garment.
Here are some ideas that I have considered:-
Waist drawstring - not that I actually have a waistline, but something to keep the garment from flapping around too much - possibility.
Hem drawstring - initially I thought it would be OK then I rejected it on the grounds that any rain is likely to run strainght onto your trousers.
Wrist closures - I want to modify these to tighten more securely - the velcro just doesn't cut it for me, something like the Dutch army parka system would be better I think.
Hood - I like the hood as it is, I don't often wear a hood, but the bulk of material behind your neck is quite warming if the weather is at all inclement.
Front pocket flaps - to eliminate rain/forrest ingress and better secure its contents, not sure how yet but again not velcro as that would irritate your wrists when accessing or using the handwarmer idea.
Inner neck area - I had an idea of creating a baffle that would prevent heat loss through the neck, but I'm not convinced as yet.

If I could ask readers to comment on any of the above as I might be flogging a dead horse or inventing the next big thing.

ATB

Ogri the trog

definately better wrist fastening, and waist and hem drawstrings

tbh i am unimpressed by the smock

so much so i am returning it!

 

[spamel]

<Ahem> Swedish Snow Smock!

 

[Ogri the trog]

<Ahem> Swedish Snow Smock!

I've, ahem, put a bit on since I left the mob, Spam,
Hence most things military are no longer anywhere near big enough. A 51" chest with 18stone behind it, takes some material to cover up!

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Robbo]

Just to say I went for the swedish smock in the end, just awaiting its arrival, I'll need to get some dye and a bucket load of salt to make it less noticable when in the woods.

Andy

 

[spamel]

I've, ahem, put a bit on since I left the mob, Spam,
Hence most things military are no longer anywhere near big enough. A 51" chest with 18stone behind it, takes some material to cover up!

ATB

Ogri the trog

But they're massive! In the summer, I use mine as a beer tent!

 

[Robbo]

Came in the post today, nice service from Ex Army ( http://www.exarmy.co.uk/shop/ ) delivered in 3 days.

These things are massive, might hire mine out as a beer tent too .

Mine is a large works out as around a 57" chest, plenty of room for layering underneath.

Now to get some dye and some salt.

Very impressed so far.

Andy

 

[Ogri the trog]

Hmmm,
Still not convinced. I just measured the titan across the armpits - comes out at a collosal 66 inch chest - no wonder I could get it over two swanni's with room to spare.
I might yet get a Swedish one as a comparison, but I do like the security of the titan chest pocket.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Robbo]

Now to make a blanket shirt for use under the smock .

Andy

 

[Robbo]

The two pockets on the front of the swedish smock are very secure and huge REALLY huge.

Thats mine dyed Olive Green and I am very impressed with it, quite warm too with a wooly pully on underneath. I'm finding it hard to stay awake indoors with the hood up (well you do have to try it out before its first proper use )

So big thanks to (in order of reply); Mastino, Oetzi, Spamel and In Wood for recommending it :You_Rock_ .

Also thanks to those who took the time to recommend the Titantex smock :You_Rock_ .

I'd still like to see pics of the tie dyed smock, In Wood and those home made buttons as, alas, mine are still Brilliant white.

Andy

 

[ady05]

got myself the swedish smock about a week ago (bargain at £20) went for dark green dye in the end as the olive green turned out too light swaped the 13 buttons for nice wooden ones looks good quite a heavy marerial

 

[Big Geordie]

Like everyone else I've been on a search for the best jacket for the job. Thanks to Spamel I took up the offer of the cheap Artic smock and I haven't regretted it, despite the appalling Scottish weather.

Of course I have the choice of putting my MPV jacket on top or a poncho, and I do both depending on how much weather I am obliged to face. The poncho is of course excellent
allowing access to equipment,belt kit and fresh air.. but a long gore tex jacket will keep me dry and extend the time I have available to the job.

So for Scotland at the mo.. a long MPV ( issue gore tex) coat does me more good. But I love the smock which I wear all the time and it doesnt mind rain in small doses.
Thanks Spam:You_Rock_
George

 

[In Wood]

Hi Robbo
Just got your PM, Thanks
I will take some pictures and send them to you, if you are able to post photos I dont mind you putting them on here so everyone can see. I will take a couple so you can see the wood and antler buttons close up.

 

[Robbo]

Excellent, In Wood I'm eagerly awating the pictures, I used some wood effect buttons I got from a craft shop.


As for the smock its now olive green and I wear it all the time, perfect with a wooly jumper underneath, the pockets are huge and the long length is growing on me, though I'm now looking for a local source of wool blankets for a DIY blanket shirt like a swandri to go underneath, Looks like i'll be trawling through the numerous charity shops in Arbroath looking for bargins.

All in all a top piece of kit.

Andy

 

[Rob84]

Pics of Ian's(In Wood) smock

 

[In Wood]

May I thank you for uploading the pictures for me.
So go on I am ready for the abuse about tie dying and all the flower power comments.
I can take it on a serious note, as I said previously I think the smock is great, quiet, warm, blends in well and after soaking in fabsil waterproof too.
Highly recommended bit of inexpensive kit.

 

[SteveW]

Right folks, based in no small part to your recommendations I ordered a Swedish smock that arrived yesterday. So far I&#8217;m very impressed. It is just the kind of thing I was looking for and once dyed and with some new buttons should be perfect. I have a couple of questions though if anyone feels like answering. What did you use to dye yours and what colour did you pick? The one pictured in the thread is very nice I wouldn&#8217;t mind a go at tie-dyeing mine, but am a little afraid I&#8217;ll end up with totally the wrong kind of effect ( I&#8217;ll look like a commando hippy or something) so maybe a plain one colour dye would be safer. Btw is it 100&#37; cotton, or a mix?

Waterproofing&#8230; in-wood I think, mentioned using Fabsil to waterproof his. I did a bit of snooping on the net, and found some campers using the stuff to waterproof their tents. Many of them however were using &#8220;Thomsons water seal&#8221; on the grounds that it was much the same stuff and way cheaper. Anyone used it or know anything about it?, and are there any down sides to the waterproofing, like increased flammability, material stiffening or smell?


Oh and one last question, how do you get the wretched thing on without looking like Harry Houdini or back off again without stripping your top half naked

 

[Mimung]

@ SteveW

The swedish smock is in 100% cotton.

@ Rob84

I see you´ve got an smock from the swedish air force. They got shoulder-strap for insigna and rank. The army model are without shoulder-straps. See if you can find any stamp which begins with the letter "F". It might be a stamp showing an old air force regiment. /Mimung

 

[SteveW]

@ SteveW

The swedish smock is in 100% cotton.

/Mimung

Thanks for that, my smock also has the shoulder tabs, but only the normal stamps. To be honest i don't think this one has ever been worn.

 

[CLEM]

Excellent job there with your dye and button job on your smock Wood,very well done,it looks great.In a way it reminds me a little of the German WW2 camo smocks.It sort of looks camo but not at the same time.I like it.What dye's did you use and how has the fabsil treatment worked out??? Anyone know if or where the trousers to the jacket can be bought???