Hunting bag I made

[mab7]

This is the second hunting bag I have made. I would appreciate any constructive critiques, comments, etc. anyone has. I lean towards bigger bags since I seem to function from the philosophy of 'better to have and not need, than to need and not have'. Everyone who sees it in person is egging me on, and I am actually now thinking about making and selling bags, and other related items, to supplement my fun money. I just don't know if they are good enough, as well as any idea of what would be a fair price to ask or expect...

Bag is roughly 9" x 7" with a gusset, two inch straps and made from oil-tanned 5/6 ounce leather. All hand-stitched using waxed, artificial 70# sinew... Plenty of pockets to hold lots of goodies. Outside has two pockets for patches, balls, etc. Inside has two pockets on back - one for a razor hone I always carry and one for whatever. One side has a pocket for my Grandfather's two-blade folding knife that makes every trip I make to the woods. The other side has a pocket specifically for pan priming flask. Simple flap to cover it all. The ties on the back are for carrying small game or whatever urge hits me to tie somehing on. Patch knife was made by Nathan Allan, has a 4 1/2" blade and thanks to the hone in the pocket, will almost cut you just looking at it!

[Elnathan]

There are others on this forum who are much more qualified to critique leatherwork than I, but, at least to my untrained eye, the stitching looks very neat. I think that there is rather too much of it on the strap, though - after a certain point lines of stitching ceases to add strength to the joint and become just perforated lines for the leather to start tearing. I am looking specifically at the four horizontal lines right at the top.

Regarding selling: The bag illustrated stands out immediately as a modern design made with modern leather. I don't know what the customer base for that may be. If I were going to buy a bag instead of make one myself, I would want something made with bark-tanned leather and much closer to historic examples. Don't know if that helps any.

[mab7]

Actually, it does help. Especially the stictching causing leather failure.
The top three lines of stitching are where the straps mate/match to the stitching for the flap that covers the bag. The fourth line is where the straps actually mate to the back of the bag itself. That was added because the gap caused by the variance in layers of leather just didn't 'look right'.

As to historical correctness, I know there is none. From what I have noticed, an aged appearance and function have far more appeal than actual historical correctness...

[longcruise]

Watch out!  That knife is going to fall out of the strap sheath when you least expect it.  Ask me how I know.

I like the bag even though it is much larger and elaborate than my own.  There are plenty of prospective buyers who are not overly concerned about HC and want a bag that will hold everything, including their lunch.

I thought about financing the addiction by becoming a dealer, but as unremarkable as my work is it would barely pay for it's own materials.

[T.C.Albert]

Pretty nice bag work...but just wondering, is there a liner in that patch knife sheath?
tc

[mab7]

No there is not...

[T.C.Albert]

I might worry it would cut right through the stitching, or more likely through the leather itself...time will tell, but I would watch for that..
tc

[okieboy]

 The obvious fix for the problem that Mr. Albert recognizes is to lay a piece of welting between the top and bottom layer before stitching. This will protect the thread at least. If this isn't enough, then its a few small copper rivets.

[mab7]

Thanks for the advice!
Before I stitched it up, I checked for snagging on the leather and stitching contact. If there is a danger of that, I think it will occur at the bottom where the point of the blade rests...

[Frank Barker]

Is this a Fowler/shotgun pouch, I notice some things inside your pouch that may indicate that. Shotgun bags were usually larger, somewhat like yours. I like the rolled lip along the front opening of the bag. And yes there is a lot of unnecessary stitching along the strap and flap area. One line of stitching for the flap and one line of stitching around where the strap attaches to the back of the bag is sufficient. I like to sew the strap on at an outward angle, this makes the pouch hang much better when wearing. The flap is a little large for my liking, although I have seen old original pouches with overly large flaps. The large flap helps hold the accouterments inside but if you would trim some of the leather off the flap and put a button to hold it down would make it look much nicer. You stitching is well done, but like was mentioned early on, to much in one area may cause a weakening of the leather it's self.
The main thing is to not be discouraged, a study of books like Tim Albert's, Madison Grant's or Jim Webb's will give you lots of good design techniques and idea's.

Kind Regards...... Frank Barker



  

[mab7]

This bag is pretty much dedicated to my rifles. One thing I have definitely noticed is what everyone says about the outward cant on the straps. One look in the mirror and it was pretty obvious. The next one I do is going to be a bag for my fowler and I plan on incorporating some of the changes. One of those will definitely be less stitching. My hands hurt for three days after finishing this one!

[flinchrocket]

You have a pretty nice bag for just starting out. I like to make a regular sheath for the knife and leave
some extra material along the edge and sew it on the back underneath the flap. Make it just a couple
inches shorter than your knife with the handle sticking out enough to get hold of. When you carry it
the sharp side of the blade is up so it won't cut into the sheath.