When Painting a knapsack dont wear new clothes

    

Knapsack from Tom Wnuck collection

 So keeping up with the last thing I posted on packs I decided in the middle of my fit of sewing new gear I’d sew up a new knapsack while I waited on a bear hide to make my new knapsack.( You know because in my ADD mind that makes total sense)  So after sewing up a knapsack based on the David Uhl pack dimensions I decided to paint it. “waterproofing” a pack seems to be a constant question on message boards/Facebook forums etc.  So to keep more “just dip it in beeswax” comments from going forth I figured I’d write this up.

                Your going to need boiled linseed oil, Japan dryer, mineral spirits, corn starch and some kind of powdered pigment (or not, be plain go crazy its your world and we’re just living in it!)

Step 1 Iron and starch your knapsack. Sounds odd but this will make it a lot easier to paint.

 

Stept 2 Prepare the sizing. Put 3 table spoons worth of corn starch in a small pot and fill with water. Put this on the stove and slowly bring to a slow boil stirring it often. It will start to thicken up. Make sure to stir or it will turn into gummy badness at the bottom of the pot.

Step3 Using a paint brush brush the sizing onto both sides of the Pack. Cover it all as evenly as possible. Set it aside and let dry. This sizing will help the pigment bond to the fibers and keep down the bleed through of the oil. It really helps cut down on the drying time.

 

Step 3 Mix equal parts linseed oil and mineral spirits in a small container. Add in a small amount of Japan dryer and then mix in your pigment (I use Brick dye) for this small project I used 2 table spoons of pigment .

 

Step 4 Paint! I paint the pack as evenly as possible on both sides and then hang in a well-ventilated area to “cure”. I cheated this one and had the straps sewn on before I painted it. I’ve seen a number of folks have pack disasters after sewing the straps to the painted pack. If you want to sew the straps on later, I recommend placing some tape over the places you plan on sewing your straps too.

Step 5(ish) Once the pack has dried, I will go back over it with a second coat minus the pigment just to really seal stuff up.

 

SO before we try this at home remember: work in  Ventilated area, don’t store it next to a box of newspapers/oily rags to dry, Be careful.

 

                And Yes I know it’s green. I was going for a copy of the Knapsack from the Tom Wnuck collection. I’m just hoping the green turns out more “wnucky” green and less ninja turtle green. To Paraphrase Billy Madison "I painted the pack green because I've never seen a green pack"

                Ive also added some pics of the clothes I’ve been sewing up. Sewed a new check shirt, Went for the “striped vest” from the Kentucky probates, dyed my tickenburgh hunting shirt with logwood , finished some trousers based off the one in the Gabriel Bray images, sewed a sky blue jacket based on the “William hodges” jacket description from 1774 made some fancy moccasins and  got a new rifle gun!

                The Rifle was made by Mike Siedleman as is a copy of the trade rifle from the 1770’s. It’s a .58 and is a hell of a shooter. So I’ll be glad to dress nicely as I stroll through the woods in a few weeks shooting at my mortal enemy the squirrel. Of course due to my body chemistry I’m sure the gear has already begun to break down into a non “duane” state of being,I also lost a button just doing these pictures. Stupid Duane