Todd's Costumes.com - Quality of Bag info

Andiana · Post by **Andiana** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:29 am

I was browsing for places to buy a good MK VII and I found toddscostumes.com (I have been there before, I just forgot about the site). I then saw the Indy section, and I also noticed they are selling an MK VII. It is cheaper ($$ price) then most I've seen on the net. Is the quality of the bag good? Is the strap re-ajustable? Are there any owners of the bag here? I would like some info on it. Thanx a lot!

Indycire · Post by **Indycire** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:01 am

It's the What Price Glory bag, Todd mentions it kinda in the item description. Its $38 and getting it from WPG was $40 i think. If you do get it from Todd i recommend the deluxe strap. the Wpg looks exactly like a mkvii with a brand new smell and it feels built to last.

- From WPG its $39+s/h

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:16 am

I'm with Indycire on this - if you get the WPG bag, you'll want a nicer strap. On the other hand, Todd's strap may be better, but on the other hand, the WPG buckle is more accurate.
Some buckle alternatives:

That's a Todd Deluxe strap in the pic. You may get better results if you make your own strap... check with Tandy for the materials, and choose your preferred buckle (lots of buckle suggestions in the threads here).
The WPG bag,however, is quite O.K. It looks brand new (well... it is brand new) but is likely to look the part once you've used it for a while.

WPG on the left, authentic Mk VII on the right.

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 9:45 am

I haven't ordered from Todd's at all, but I have two repro bags from WPG. The first (lighter) one and one of the newer (darker green). They're great bags, and not being an "original" - you're not afraid to "use" it, get it dirty, whatever you want. I have an original MK VII I keep for just the "costume" for CONs, Summits, etc. But my repro bags I use practically daily.

As for a strap, I've replace all my straps on all my bags with the Lee Keppler straps and buckles. I'm very happy with them. But the newer strap on the WPG bag is better (color wise) than the first run he did. It's a little thicker than most people prefer, but it's not all bad.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 10:54 am

Is the strap re-ajustable?

You can alter the strap to your desired length by moving the buckle, but then the buckle itself might not end up where you want it. If you want the buckle centered the way Indy wears it I suggest you order it to a custom length that will help you wear the bag comfortably. Easiest way is probably to make a model made out of rope or a string in case you don't have a strap already. The original length of 65 inches was way too short for me and I'm 6 foot 4 inches. I used my WPG 65 inch strap and just added what I needed to center the buckle when I ordered my custom strap. You'll figure it out.

Regards,
Swindiana

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:30 pm

I might just have hit a bad batch, but the stitching on my newer green WPG bag was pretty shoddy compared to the earlier tan version. I had to reinforce a couple of areas of stitching after just a few days of use.

However, the fabric on the newer bags is much tougher and the strap is a lot better, but I don't think they are built to last like the original 1940's bags - testament to the original bags longevity is the fact that we are still buying and using the them today.

Don't get me wrong, I really like WPG - they are a great addition to the Indygear community, but I think there is still room for improvement on the 'roadworthyness' and durability of their current offerings.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:50 pm

Mike, I can only speak as I find and my older tan MKVII is still going strong stitching-wise.

However, I was dismayed to see some big areas of stitching - 2-3" on each side of the new greener bag in fact - splitting apart after just a few days of gentle use! I've fixed it now, I hope, but it's not indicitive of the quality that I expect for my hard-earned cash.

If that sounds bitter, it's not meant to be - as I say, I love the WPG product and am thankful that we have a supplier for ANY repro bag at all.

All I am saying is there is still room for improvement and I agree, these are IMO NOT made to the same exacting military specs as the originals.

Cheers,

Al

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:52 pm

As for the older WPG bag, never seen it IRL. The new, greener one is made out of quite heavy canvas - perhaps a tad more light-weight than the real thing - and the stitching looks O.K. to me. I haven't put mine to use - still in it's plastic wrapper - but I figure it would stand normal use.
It's a nice replica, but lacks that military issue sturdiness one finds in the authentic Mk VI and VII's.
I guess time will tell. In 60 years, let's see how many WPG bags there are left - and in what condition...

Texas Jones · Post by **Texas Jones** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:31 pm

I got mine from Todd's, and I'm not sure I like the green color. I had one before (the dog got to it) that I believe more closely matched the screen color - which I got back in '93 from someone who isn't around anymore. I also remember it being larger than the one I have now, and had a center divider within it. And I tried washing it a few times and it got a little lighter, but the d**n thing shrunk.

THE MAIN DOWNSIDE TO THE TODD'S BAG - the strap that comes with the bag is 65". I needed the 72" to place the buckle across my chest correctly and have the bag hang just below my waistline since I am 6 ft tall.

Even though Todd's strap is close, it's not close enough. I purchased my strap from S&D Trading - a natural 1" x 72" strap along with chicago screws and walnut brown leather dye - and made the strap myself. It's more authentic in my opinion and doesn't have that "painted on" brown color.

If anyone knows where I could get the non-lime green MkVII bag, let me know!

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:44 pm

Scandinavia Jones wrote:I guess time will tell. In 60 years, let's see how many WPG bags there are left - and in what condition...

SJ, I really do hope that I am around then to check it out with you, but the odds aren't real good. In the end, it really is the years, not the mileage. I would be a ripe old 109 by then.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:46 pm

If anyone knows where I could get the non-lime green MkVII bag, let me know!

How about going for an original?

http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8659

Regards,
Swindiana

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 5:15 pm

Bufflehead Jones wrote:

SJ, I really do hope that I am around then to check it out with you, but the odds aren't real good. In the end, it really is the years, not the mileage. I would be a ripe old 109 by then.

Well, I'll be 97 so I guess I'll wheelchair-race you to the buffet at the 2064 summit...

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 5:43 pm

SJ, I'm a racecar driver IRL, even in a wheelchair that may give me an unfair advantage. If I could still remember it by then, I would have a knowledge base of racing lines and how to hit apexes that I could rely on. Ummm....come to think of it, you would still be 12 years younger than me. Forget what I said, I need all the advantage I can get.

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:02 pm

At the 2064 summit:
BJ: Say, sonny, that green bag of yours, it's really busted.
SJ: Whaat?
BJ: I said, that green purse of yours is really crummy, son. Look at it! It's coming apart in it's stitches!
SJ: Who are you anyway? What's with all these old coots in brown hats everywhere?
BJ: Hey, I got one too! (notices tapered, dusty fedora resting on head)
(silence - rocking chairs creaking)
SJ: The lovely nurse over there says they're showing us some film later on.
BJ: Yeah? Who's in it?
SJ: Reckon' it's our old favourite...
BJ & SJ: MA-ATLO-OCK!

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:03 pm

SJ, I can't wait, I'll see you there.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 7:43 pm

At the 2064 summit take 2:

Swindiana not appearing due to asking nurses for bags in the respirator room, being directed to the restroom when asking for 'drain hole in the bottom'.

Andiana · Post by **Andiana** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 4:42 pm

I'm about 5'5 and I need to know the exact length of the strap. I measured the length of my 'Old Navy Army Bag' and it is 48 inches long. How does one find a custom-made strap (Where can I order one)?
Thanx for any info!

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 5:15 pm

Well the original prop strap is supposed to be 65" long, but seeing as your short like me...

...all you need to do for a custom length strap is order a strap from Todd Costumes or lost-ark.net/Indianna Dudley & then cut it to the desired length at the screw end & then re-punch the hole for the Chicago screw again.

If you need any help doing this because you don't have the right stuff for cutting & punching holes in leather, a shoe menders or preferably a saddler will be able to help, probably for free

Puppetboy · Post by **Puppetboy** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 10:01 pm

Skippy, If you want one of mine just name the length and I'll customize it for you - no extra charge. If you need help knowing how to measure, just give a call to the number on my website and I'll be glad to help you out.

Todd

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 5:27 am

Skippy, If you want one of mine just name the length and I'll customize it for you - no extra charge. If you need help knowing how to measure, just give a call to the number on my website and I'll be glad to help you out.

Thanks Todd, but I think Ann has already E-mailed me to say one of your delux straps is on the way

It's the guy ABOVE my post that need the help

Puppetboy · Post by **Puppetboy** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 12:32 pm

Oops! Sorry. But the offer is always good for anyone. If I can customize it I will.