Rucksack project - part 1

I finally had a bit of time to write about another gear project I'm working on – a homemade rucksack.

The Idea

The inspiration came after I missed out on an insanely cheap Helikon-Tex bushcraft backpack with some great details. It was absurdly cheap, but I didn’t act fast enough.
And of course, I've been drooling over those beautiful (but expensive) Frost River packs – though my wallet doesn’t quite match my bushcraft dreams.

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The Starting Point

I’ve collected a bunch of old Danish military surplus. From the end of World War II and up into the 1980s, the Danish army used a kind of Frankenstein system made up of discarded gear from the US, UK, Sweden, and Germany.

These parts can often be found very cheaply. So far, I’ve picked up:

• A large rucksack

• A few universal pouches (also used as ammo pouches, etc.)

• Another inexpensive bread bag

I’ve also bought some other bags that didn’t really fit the setup – those have been sold on again.

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The Plan for the Pack

• Decent capacity and built to last forever

• Waterproofed with wax

• Plenty of straps for attaching a plash-palatka, fur, or wool blanket

• Smart solutions for carrying tools like an axe or lantern

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Construction & Stitching

First, I removed all the straps and buckles that didn’t fit the system. I prefer leather straps and buckles that are actually made to carry serious weight.

Everything is sewn together with waxed thread – strong stuff. The stitching between the pouches isn’t pretty – it’s tight working inside a bag like that, and the webbing canvas is brutally tough to sew through.
I used a method similar to saddle stitch, so every seam is doubled up. In most places I had to use pliers to pull the needles through. And yes, I broke quite a few needles along the way.

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The Pouches and Their Purpose

• One side pouch is sewn on with a center “channel” running vertically. The stitching at the top is extra reinforced. The trick is, my axe can slide all the way down into it and hang securely on the side.

• The second side pouch has a closed-off bottom, which creates an extra space between the main pack and the pouch – perfect for holding my folding saw from Robens.

• The front pouch is sewn on the same way. Here I’ve made an axe-shaped channel, so I can secure another axe in place safely.

Without any planning or measuring, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my Pathfinder bottle with hobostove fits perfectly in one of the side pouches. That’s just brilliant. Under it I can fit some freeze-dried leftovers or a small bottle of spirit fuel for my Trangia burner.

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What’s Still Missing?

• Shoulder straps – will be sewn from leather, fur, and blanket material

• A drawstring closure for the main compartment

• Straps or runners for attaching sleeping gear

• A carabiner clip to hold the Feuerhand lantern