Repro MK VII bag

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 9:31 pm

I was wondering if anyone that owns one of the repro MK VII bags to tell me if they are durable. I was contemplating purchasing one, but not just for a prop, I figure it may work nice as a laptop or messenger bag.

Does it have any compartments inside?

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 6:20 am

As most people will tell you the repro bag from What Price Glory is both great and durable. It is probably not as durable as an original one as they are all cotton, a bit lighter than most originals and lack the water resistant stuff that was used for military purposes. However, you will get an all new bag that hasn't seen any previous wear and tear!

I recommend you to search the threads for some extensive reading on these great bags if you are looking for a reproduction.

The bag has 4 compartments. One narrower in front, a bigger in the middle (with no divider unlike the originals), two in the back and a small one roughly the size of a matchbox.

Here is a shot of it inside my dyed WPG:
http://medlem.spray.se/larskalvemark/in ... 700006.jpg

The bag measures 10"x11" and I'm not sure that will fit your laptop, but it will fit almost anything else you can think of.

Regards,
Swindiana

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:12 am

Thanks Swindiana! Great description. I'm going to do a little more research, and decide weather to go repro, or original.
Thanks!

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 10:31 am

You're most welcome!
Be sure to PM me if you decide to go for 'the real deal' and I'll try and help you out.
I'm just waiting for a GO from another source I've found in a couple of days or so. I'll do a post about it too.

High regards,
Swindy

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 3:35 pm

Im also working on a source. $18. Not sayin anything yet.

Robert Duke · Post by **Robert Duke** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 11:12 pm

I am thinking about the WPG also.

First Question: Should it be dyed?

Is there a better source as some have mentioned?

Cooler King · Post by **Cooler King** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 12:08 am

I can say for sure that the WPG BAG is perfect. The strap is a little off but with a Lee strap and a WPG bag, you've got a perfect MK VII replica!

I've taken it on numerous beach trips to collect sharks teeth, sea shells and Arc shells. It's quit a useful item while out in the field.

Indiana,

Gah! What have you got cookin man?

I'm curious to know, be sure to post as soon as you can share info!

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 8:10 pm

I just ordered the WPG bag, so hoepfully I'll have it by next week. Can't wait to get it. Can't beat the price.

sab04 · Post by **sab04** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 11:41 pm

yes, the WPG bag is an excelent bag.......except for the color....but thats just me. I still highly recommend it.
-scott

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 8:59 pm

Cooler King wrote: Indiana,

Gah! What have you got cookin man? I'm curious to know, be sure to post as soon as you can share info!

If what I have so far is true they have 150 in stock in "green" color. I need to order one first to make sure then when I get it I'll post the link, although it may be a bit because of xmas coming up I need a little extra cash.

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 10:29 am

I just received my WPG bag in the mail. It is an AWESOME replica. Looks like it is pretty functional, too.
The smell is a little overwhelming, but I guess I need to air it out a bit.
Anyone ever through one of these things in the wash to soften them up, or try something similar?
Also, the belt is a little short for correct buckle placement on my frame, but I don't really care. Eventually I'll get an original. and I'll buy a good aftermarket strap.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 10:33 am

The WPG bag is excellent in my opinion, but the strap leaves a bit to be desired.

Cheers

Al

Robert Duke · Post by **Robert Duke** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 10:59 am

I am still deciding whether to buy the WPG bag. The strap does look a little hideous. You say it's short for you? Is the length 65" as mentioned on the FAQ page?
Would this bag also be better if it was dyed an OD green?
Making your own strap should be no problem. You can buy harness leather, trim it down, put on a rivet with a chicago screw and be done.

Since I've heard rumors of perhaps availability of another bag I am holding off til I hear more back from you all.

Thanks,
Robert Duke

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 11:14 am

I like the bag the way it is. It looks to be a medium to light tan color, with a pinch of o.d. green. It basically looks like a very faded olive drab, that's seen lots of sunlight. I just need to get rid of the smell. I wonder if throwing it in a dryer with a fabric softener sheet would help kill the funk. The strap is 65".
Where can one buy harness leather?

skbellis · Post by **skbellis** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 12:02 pm

IndyBlues,

Trust me, the smell will dissipate after a few days of use. However if you want you might want to spray some Fabreeze on it and throw it in the dryer for a little bit. That should remedy any problems.

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:14 pm

Well I just washed and dried my WPG bag, and when I took her out of the drier, I could have swore she shrunk. Luckily, it was just crumpled up a bit, and not fully dry. I didn't want to dry it completely in the drier, because of what Swindiana said about shrinkage. I cut a bunch of loose threads that were all over the inside, but no seams came apart.
I tossed a couple of big hardback books inside to stretch it out a bit while it dries, and it seems to be fine.
Also, it feels alot softer now that I washed it. New out of the bag, it looks to smooth and crisp around the edges, now it looks broken in.
I advise if you buy one of these, don't be afraid to throw it in the wash. It will hold up. Just don't fully dry it in the drier.

Now the strap, that's another story. I am going to order a new one tonight. This one is too short, and it reeks really bad. Whatever the leather was treated with is giving me a headache, literally.

Neolithic · Post by **Neolithic** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:30 pm

LOL

on the stinky WPG strap! I wonder how many people around the world have the same reaction...
My girlfriend walked into my room shortly after I had got the bag and wondered what the heck the smell was. It's (edit: the strap is) a weird orange colour that just looks wrong. I ordered a Keppler strap straight away... which had a nice leather smell that didn't last long, it's much softer leather as well... but it appears to scratch quite easily (maybe I'm just being over precious)...[/i]

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:32 pm

Bah! It's adventure gear! Let there be Scratches, I say.

Natural distressing

Regards,

farn

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 12:22 am

How would you describe a new WPG bag's smell?

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 12:29 am

It's hard to describe accurately, but I would have to see it reminds me of the smell of cod liver oil. Very fishy. It is a strong sent, and I think it is from the strap, and not the bag itself. The bag came shipped in a sealed plastic bag, and the leather strap was coiled up inside. So the smell transferred over. After I washed the bag, the smell is gone, but the strap smell still lingers. I am going to order a Keppler strap tomorrow.

Does anyone know if the Keppler strap is nice and dark? I was watching raiders tonight, and noticed that the strap seems a dark brown, as opposed to the orangy color that seems to be available.

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 12:42 am

The Keppler Raiders strap is lighter in color than the TOD. I'm not sure about the LC. I'm not even sure if Lee offers an LC strap but I would imagine it's dark too.

Neolithic · Post by **Neolithic** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 6:31 am

The Keppler Strap is dark enough for me for the Raiders style. I read some posts somewhere of folks getting Lee to dye them darker. So that's an option. The buckle is sweet on these babies. There's tonnes of discussion on this previously however.

The smell on the WPG strap is fishy indeed!

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 6:49 am

I customised an MBA strap with a Keppler buckle.

The MBA or Keppler straps are pretty dark and supple anyway, but can still be darkened down to whatever shade you prefer, with a little kiwi, pecards and elbow grease.

The biggest difference I notice between the Keppler & MBA straps is the 'border' on the outside edge of the MBA. I believe the 'no-border' Keppler to be more screen authentic, but I use the MBA as do I like the border personally.

The Keppler buckle is apparantly more authentic too, but not perfect, wheras the MBA buckle is too flat and wide, but has it's charms.

The WPG buckle is the wrong colour.

I wonder whyhy WPG don't change the design on their straps and buckles? The bags are GREAT but the strap really let's the product down.

Regards,

Al