Repairing wear on an MKVII

Snakewhip_Sable · Post by **Snakewhip_Sable** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:40 am

I did a cursory search and didn't see a topic on this...

I usually keep a biner clip on my MKVII bag strap to clip my travel mug to once I'm done my morning coffee on the way to work. I've noticed that this is a bad idea as it's fraying the canvas loop that attaches to the metal O-ring.

It occured to me that I can reinforce or replace that canvas loop with fabric from the original strap. There's a lot of 'patch' material in one strap, so don't throw them away, keep them for just such an occurance.

Now I gotta figure a better way to carry an empty coffee mug...

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 4:07 am

Late reply, I know, but a couple thoughts...

1) Put the caribiner through the bottom of the leather strap, above the metal loop. It will ride in virtually the same spot as before. You might need a slightly larger clip.

2) You're bag is full already? I noticed my steel travel mug stands PERFECTLY inside my MKVII - but I haven't removed the divider, and I hook the handle over that (or out over the sidewall) so it doesn't move.

3) You did say MKVII, not MKVI, right?

(Yes, I can read.

) The MKVI I picked up for my buddy has two small metal rings hanging off the front, he picked up caribiner clips to put on those if he needs to for carrying stuff. Oh, that reminds me...my MKVII has a string loop on the front, that I can slip a clip through. Does yours? Mug will hang a LOT lower.

J

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 6:22 am

Great idea- DON'T hang ANY mug ANYWHERE on your MKVI or MKVII.

-- Problem solved!

They are made to put stuff IN not hang stuff ON! As soon as you try to do something different then what they are designed for- well, you're seeing the results. But that's just me, I'm all about practicality.

have a nice day.

Hunter57 · Post by **Hunter57** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 8:02 am

I also noticed the "strap as repair material" point yesterday, and I need to patch up the canvas around the D-rings. But does anyone have an idea on where to get some canvas that approximates the original material of the bag itself? I need to replace the divider in a Canadian MKVII.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 12:05 am

Hunter57 wrote:But does anyone have an idea on where to get some canvas that approximates the original material of the bag itself? I need to replace the divider in a Canadian MKVII.

Good question...I know people cannibalize the divider to patch the rest of it, but what to replace the divider with? Hmm...the only place I still see this kind of stiff canvas is on camp cots (you know, wooden frame, tough greenish canvas).

The other obvious suggestion is to take your bag w/ you into an army surplus store and by ANY cheap surplus bag of a similar (or even close enough) material...most of these things don't cost much, especially if you buy a damaged one, and since you just need the fabric, why not?

(Example: Sure, the MKVII costs $50-$150 now that demand drove the price up...but M17A1 bags (Vietnam Era, USA, green) still cost $5 in perfect condition, because they AREN'T specifically sought after. So you might find any number of items w/ the right material for a patch job - cheap - at your local surplus store. Just go to Yahoo or Google, get a local business listing, and search on 'surplus store'.)

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 12:42 am

Not related to this thread's issue exactly, however, has anyone else experienced frayed threads after washing your MKVII?
On advice from the forum, I recently put mine in the wash (I let it air-dry) and afterwards looked inside to find MANY loose & tangled threads on the inside of the bag.

It may not have been the best decision, however, I cut all the loose ends I found (ending up with a handful

of threads).
So far no reappearances of the loose threads ... but just curious if anyone else experienced this also.

:

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 12:47 am

Yep, I had the same thing happen. Even though I put mine in a mesh bag to protect it, so it was folded down a bit, and ran it on a gentle wash.

The good news was I've done this twice, and never lost bag integrity - just what appeared to be threads that were going to go anyway. I trimmed them away neat and haven't had any problems since. Good luck, and just don't yank them out!

J

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 2:53 am

Indiana Jerry wrote:Yep, I had the same thing happen. Even though I put mine in a mesh bag to protect it, so it was folded down a bit, and ran it on a gentle wash.
The good news was I've done this twice, and never lost bag integrity - just what appeared to be threads that were going to go anyway. I trimmed them away neat and haven't had any problems since. Good luck, and just don't yank them out!
J

Cool - that is good news.
Thanks,