Author Topic: Small Game Bag  (Read 3800 times)

Offline Greg Pennell

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Small Game Bag
« on: December 08, 2019, 04:15:00 AM »
I wanted a game bag to go with my fowling piece project, but for my first attempt I wanted something a little simpler than the classic dew claw bags. So, after reading an article by Eric Ewing on the Contemporary Makers Blog, and looking at a lot of internet pictures, this is what I came up with. It’s about 9”x9”, with a 2” gusset (before stitching), of 3-4 oz. veg tan cowhide.  The bindings and game hangers are 2-3 oz. calfskin, and the strap is 5-6 oz. bridle leather 1 1/4 “ wide. I used dark brown Fiebings Pro Oil dye, and hit it with black antiquing, and finished with a coat of liquid mink oil, and a coat of Aussie Leather Conditioner. All hardware is solid brass. I’ll probably add a couple brass buttons to attach horn straps, but it’s pretty much finished.  The jury is still out on adding a mesh bag...I’m thinking it would be too small to be of much practical use?













This is bag number 4, and I certainly learned a lot on this one, including several things I’ll do differently on the next one.

Greg
“Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks” Thomas Jefferson

Offline Mike Lyons

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2019, 04:22:01 AM »
That’s a nice bag Greg.   You nailed the dye and stitching.  I like the construction.  Are you bringing it to Boonesborough?
« Last Edit: December 08, 2019, 07:17:37 AM by Mike Lyons »

Offline msellers

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2019, 04:29:55 AM »
This is a very inspirational bag, thank you very much for sharing.
Mike

Offline B.Barker

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2019, 04:44:27 AM »
Nice looking bag Greg. I like the buckle and tooling on the flap a lot.

Offline Ghillie

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2019, 05:34:09 AM »
Great bag Greg.  It will go well with your fowler when it is finished.  Bob

Offline Mike from OK

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2019, 06:54:25 AM »
Very nice work!

Mike

Offline DougS

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2019, 02:09:09 PM »
Beautiful work!

Thank you for sharing.

Regards,

Doug

Offline alacran

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2019, 04:24:45 PM »
Really nice bag. You are not much of an optimist though. Only 4 game hangers.
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.  Frederick Douglass

Offline James Rogers

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2019, 05:58:43 PM »
Nice work Greg. I personally like my game bag separate or removable from the leather bag so this one is right up my line of country.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2019, 06:23:51 PM by James Rogers »

Offline Pukka Bundook

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2019, 06:57:26 PM »
Alacran,

Three to each 'noose'..   :-)

Nice clean bag, Greg.


Offline Greg Pennell

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2019, 08:45:32 PM »
Thanks for the comments guys!  This was an enjoyable project, and I might do another, larger one at some point. I think I know where I want to make some adjustments to the pattern, and now I have a pretty good idea of how they go together.

Mike, I’ll be sure to bring it to Boonesborough, along with the fowling piece.

Alacran, I’m actually more of a realist...that’s a limit of grouse right there. I started to make 8 hangers, but it is a rather small bag.

James, I was initially planning on a removable net bag, but really didn’t think it through well enough, and kinda “painted myself into a corner “ during construction. It would have been too small to be very useful, except for holding a ham sandwich for lunch!

Greg
“Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks” Thomas Jefferson

Offline Mike Lyons

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2019, 09:53:59 PM »
Good deal Greg.  I tanned the dew claws of the deer I shot this year.  We will have to throw around some ideas. 

Offline Marcruger

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2019, 11:24:57 PM »
Man oh man Greg.  Look how far you have come in a short time.  That is quite the complex project and you did a great job on it. Your stitching and finishing look super.  Mighty fine work sir.  The standards you set for all of your work is very high, so I am not surprised.  God Bless,   Marc

Offline alacran

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #13 on: December 09, 2019, 04:26:24 PM »
Alacran,

Three to each 'noose'..   :-)

Nice clean bag, Greg.
I have a game strap with 8 loops. 4 on each side, perfect for ducks since the limit seems to always hover around seven. Have a cloth bag for quail. Have had quail fall out of loops when I put more than one on them.
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.  Frederick Douglass

Offline hawkeye

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2019, 09:16:54 PM »
This is what I call a well made bag, like the design

beentheredoingthat

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #15 on: December 11, 2019, 03:23:05 AM »
Beautiful work Greg!

Offline Greg Pennell

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #16 on: December 11, 2019, 06:57:37 AM »
Thank you, you do some very nice work yourself!  Welcome to the site, now post up some of those great bags you make!

Greg
“Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks” Thomas Jefferson

Offline G. Elsenbeck

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #17 on: December 12, 2019, 05:38:57 PM »
Very nice craftsmanship on a somewhat complex construction where patience is one of the best attribute to have.  Sore fingers? 

Journeyman in the Honourable Company of Horners (HCH) and a member in the Contemporary Longrifle Association (CLA)

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Offline EricEwing

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #18 on: December 12, 2019, 07:31:27 PM »
Nice work Greg. Great color tones with the dye. And professional looking stitching and stamping.

Offline thecapgunkid

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #19 on: December 13, 2019, 01:35:14 PM »
very appealing bag.  Good luck with it

Offline Greg Pennell

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #20 on: December 14, 2019, 03:50:53 PM »
Thanks again for all the nice words...most of what little I know about leatherwork was gleaned from you guys here on the board, and T.C.’s book.  And yes, my fingers and hands are still recovering from this, and making three calfskin ladies wallets for Christmas presents in the past few days.

I’ve also picked up some good techniques from good ol’ YouTube...in particular a channel by a British chap, Nigel Armitage (just search Armitage Leather).  I find his videos clear, well photographed, and easy to follow...and he doesn’t go on and on blathering to the camera...just short, clear, to the point instruction.

Greg
“Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks” Thomas Jefferson

Offline BOB HILL

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #21 on: December 14, 2019, 04:42:16 PM »
Greg, I don't know how I missed this one. You have done a great job on this  bag. I like everything about it.
Bob
South Carolina Lowcountry

Offline T.C.Albert

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #22 on: December 15, 2019, 03:57:36 AM »
That is some very fine work.
TC

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Contact at : huntingpouch@gmail.com

Offline Bob McBride

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #23 on: January 05, 2020, 05:44:31 PM »
Super attractive bag. You should be real proud.

Offline hawkeye

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Re: Small Game Bag
« Reply #24 on: January 05, 2020, 07:34:05 PM »
Beautiful bag, top quality.
Thanks for sharing Greg