bee's wax and burlap

[ROSIE]

I was thinking about making a haversack out of burlap. Is it possible to water proof burlap with bee's wax

[Collector]

I wouldn't recommend burlap for your project.  It's great for certain kinds of sacks, but as a rule, the weave on burlap is too loose and the material too coarse, for your haversack project.

Good luck!!

[ROSIE]

Where do I get a good tight woven jute type fabric for a haversack?

[Black Hand]

Where do I get a good tight woven jute type fabric for a haversack?

Use linen or a cotton canvas.  Linen is preferred and will last a long time. Cotton is not so tough and I wouldn't use jute at all (wears out too easily in my experience, and I don't think it comes as a woven material).

[Bull Shannon]

Consider using hemp canvas if cotton doesn't work for you persona's timer period.  Turkeyfoot Traders usually has some in stock; http://turkeyfootllc.com/Hemproducts.html  This isn't the only place that offers hemp fabric but maybe someone else knows where it can be found.

Where do I get a good tight woven jute type fabric for a haversack?

[Luke MacGillie]

I am a well known opponent of haversacks outside of military impressions, and have been known to say "Death to Beeswax impregnated, embroiderd Haversacks on Longhunters"

So I would ask that if you are going to make and use a haversack, why not at least make one that looks like they actualy looked in the period, vice some "Contemporary Art" project.......

Photos of an original:   http://najecki.com/repro/misc/Nannos/HaversackBody.html

Where to get a kit, with cloth matched to the original:  http://najecki.com/repro/Haversack.html

[Artificer]

Snap Sacks and Market Wallets were much more common for civilian and even some military use in the 18th century, for what it's worth.

Here is a link to give you an idea of them:

http://www.freewebs.com/mmarmoury/snapsacksmarketwallets.htm
Gus

[pathfinder]

Made a shooting bag for a customer out of burlap,had to line it with pillow ticking and made the flap from Veg tan. Didnt turn out bad,not my cup of tea,but he liked it and with the ticking lining the bag,it was servicable.

[stone knife]

I have thought about using burlap to make a game bag to carry my small game is, I thought that the game would cool nice and the bag would be washable.