Double Hunting Bag

[James Rogers]

This is a double shot bag I recently finished. Constructed as made by a saddler or harness maker. All hand sewn in English fashion with linen thread, brass buckle with hand forged iron tongue, rolled welt construction, strap adjusts from 49-55", double layer flap has double lined diamond pattern with bound edge, entrance is rolled and sewn, strap is harness edged and creased with a sliding keeper, vegetable tanned leather has been colored with vinegar blacking. 8" wide by 7" tall.

[RoaringBull]

Beautifully constructed. Excellent craftsmanship.

[Vomitus]

   Very nice. My kind of bag.Thanks for posting.

[David Rase]

James,
Nice job on the double bag.   Double bags are tough to get right and these bags are spot on.  I own one of James double bags, not quite as fancy, but I will attest that the workmanship is top shelf, as is James.
David

[Vomitus]

   May I have it?

[Kermit]

A book or an online tutorial would maybe inspire some of us duffers to stretch our skills. Maybe? Please?

I really admire bags like this. A finely crafted rifle deserves an equally well made bag. I never was a fan of the aged, misshappen, and beat up school of bagmaking.

[Martyman]

I like it!

[Don Getz]

Nice bag, I could live with that.   Great leather, I like that "rounded" look, ........Don

[James Rogers]

Thank you very much gentlemen.
I have a few more of these I need to make.
 

[J. Talbert]

Very attractive!  And I'd venture quite practical also.

Jeff

[frenchman]

hooo my, that is very nice

[Artificer]

James,

Once again you have taken craftsmanship to the level of Art.  Well done!!

The one picture showing the back of the strap slide reminded me of a question I wanted to ask about in the thread "Belt for my hunting frock ."  I thought then that you may have sewn the edges of the "slide" leather end to end using a curved awl as was done on dice cups, sword, bayonet and knife scabbards and other items.  It looks like you did it this way on this strap slide and I wondered if that is how you actually did it?

Is there and advantage of using rolled welts such as perhaps making it easier to shed water or is it a matter of style and additional craftsmanship?

Was the placement of the buckle done for wearing the pouch on the right side of the body and thus not have the buckle "get in one's way" when loading from the pouch or  being less likely to catch on something in front of you?   

Those are really great pictures and  thank you for showing your excellent pouch in such detail. 

Gus

[James Rogers]

Thanks Gus,
That is how I did the slides but I use regular harness needles.
Rolled welts make for a fine appearance IMO.
Buckles go where you like them. You will find them anywhere or nowhere on pouches..
In the back and it presses against your back when you lean against a tree. In front and sometimes it gets in the way when cradling a gun.

 

[Artificer]

Thanks Gus,
That is how I did the slides but I use regular harness needles.
Rolled welts make for a fine appearance IMO.
Buckles go where you like them. You will find them anywhere or nowhere on pouches..
In the back and it presses against your back when you lean against a tree. In front and sometimes it gets in the way when cradling a gun.

 

Ah, should have realized there were no indented lines left by a curved awl on the back of the strap slide sides.

Never thought about a buckle pressing against one's back when leaning against a tree.  Good point, though I think it would be easier to adjust a bag/pouch with the buckle around to miss the tree when the buckle is mounted that way, than having the buckle interfere with loading tools or cradling a gun in front.  Still a good point to consider when deciding which side to put the buckle.

Gus

[T.C.Albert]

Beautiful design, construction, and execution...very professional quality workmanship, fit and finish...very nice indeed..
tc

[frenchman]

James i have question on your work. Your sewing is tight would you say close to 11 per inch and the belts seem to take a thicker leather and for the rolled welt how wide does it need to be . After you did the pouch do you do the finish and then add the exterior sewing.
I went to your blog you create incredible art. The craftsmanship that is found concerning this sport is amazing.

[Artificer]

I would add the leather "band" around the edge of the flap was done very, very nicely.  That is not easy to do and make it look that good.

Gus

[Mark Elliott]

James,

How did you get that nice chocolate brown color with vinegar?   I always get a very dark brown to blue/black.   I only get a brown that color with AQ made with wrought iron. 

Thanks,

Mark

[James Rogers]

Gentlemen I humbly thank you for the compliments.
I have 4 or 5 of this same design on order for spring.

Frenchman, the welt width needs to be appropriate to how far your stitching is from the edge. I usually just eyeball it with my dividers but I would guess 3/8". Dampen, double it and tap it with your harness hammer. You can also fill it with a cord.
I usually do most of the finish on my leather in pieces and then sew.
Edge binding is done after the body is sewn.

Mark, IIRC this pouch came out black. The photographer was really awful and his equipment was even worse. Should have been fired.

[gizamo]

 ....

Giz