Club Obi Wan

Of the Magnoli and the WPG bags witch one is better and more ''adventure built''?

I really don't understand WHY people want a reproduction bag?? I mean this in the nicest way but why buy a fake (replica) when you can just buy an original? I mean it's not like they make them any more get 'em while you can...
It is the true piece of gear, exact in every way. No they don't wear out. WPG sells the original bag for 45$ So its nine dollars more then a fake one.

Having said that I think that I hear the best stuff about the Magnoli bag.

-Ghost

I simply don't want to wreck a piece of WWII memorabelia because I plan on using it alot.

ST wrote:I simply don't want to wreck a piece of WWII memorabelia because I plan on using it alot.

As the curator of a military history museum with considerable emphasis on WWII I very much appreciate your attitude, and wish everyone felt that way!
WWII reenactors are the worst, playing war games with original items. I just despair some times!

Keep in mind that original bags may not always BE in the best of condition even though they look it. I had an original which had dry rot and ended up unusable. I've used both original and repro bags, and while I'll still use an original on occasion, I favour my Magnoli repro for daily use.

But to answer ST's original question, my first bag was a WPG repro. I still have it, though it's frayed in a few places. As stated above, I also own a Magnoli bag as well as a couple originals. Between the WPG and Magnoli, I prefer the Magnoli bag. It's closer to the original in material, feel and color, in my book. The material on my WPG feels too thin, modern and "slick" in comparison. The Magnoli has also served me quite well so far and looks like it should for a good long time yet. My recommendation is for the Mag bag. ;-)

alphared6 wrote:

ST wrote:I simply don't want to wreck a piece of WWII memorabelia because I plan on using it alot.

As the curator of a military history museum with considerable emphasis on WWII I very much appreciate your attitude, and wish everyone felt that way!
WWII reenactors are the worst, playing war games with original items. I just despair some times!

I agree very much so.

With all due respect, they manufactured thousands of these bags, and while they are historical items, they are rather worthless due to their sheer number and variety. And like any military spec item that is over-engineered to withstand incredible abuse through the harshest conditions imaginable, I'm pretty sure it will have no problem toting books, car keys, and cell phones. Cut off that original webbing, attach a nice leather strap, and use that thing!

Why wear out a perfectly good piece of WWII history when there are perfect replicas out there like this one?




You can't even tell that this isn't the same thing Indy wore on his adventures!

Seriously though, I don't think Magnoli would EVER steer you wrong. Being an avid Indy fan himself, you can usually trust him to deliver as close to SA as possible.

That said, I have a Todd's. Todd's bags have come a long way apparently.

I've had the fake bag and now I've got the real deal. It's taken some abuse since I first got it, but it wears like iron and looks real cool too. No way, if I was looking now, I'd get anything else.

I've got a fair few original MkVIIs and intend on holding on to them. I only use them for the full Indy kit thing. I feel uncomfortable using something that is so old in daily use. I wouldn't want them to get accidentally marked or torn or whatever.

There may have been thousands made, but if we all had the attitude that they're not valuable they'd eventually become extinct.

I use a repro in daily use. I've got both a WPG and a Magnoli.
My vote is for the Magnoli!

Sorry Whipwarrior, but I have to disagree with you for numerous reasons. Firstly, there could be a thousand bags sitting at my local supermarket, but I can't afford to keep replacing vintage bags that may or may not be rotting from years of disuse. Second, authentic MK's are so varied in look, color, as well as "character marks", etc... If I love the one I have, it can't be replaced. It is unique. I don't say baby it, but if you know it's going to see rough use, the repro is the ideal option.

I have a WPG. My main complaint is the super-green color. Otherwise, it's doing well. I have never owned Magnoli's current bag, but I would wager he isn't selling trash. It should measure up to the WPG at the least.

To each his own.

whipwarrior wrote:To each his own.

And with that, I wholeheartedly agree.

These bags are military bags...they're meant to work in a war. I have two and they're holding up amazing.

I mean, realistically...what is the point of having these things sit around gathering dust on your shelf? If you want to protect them, then donate them to a military museum, but really, they're meant to be used so use them!

maboot38 wrote:Why wear out a perfectly good piece of WWII history when there are perfect replicas out there like this one?




You can't even tell that this isn't the same thing Indy wore on his adventures!

I dont know where you got that from but I have one of these.



Actually I have a Magnoli and its good to hear good things about it. Thanks. ;-)

I really love my Magnoli bag, look at this:

Very nice

Nibs

I have one of the Todd's bags and was happy with it. I did notice that after using it only about 4 times the stitching came apart in the bottom and opened up a hole. I just patched it up though. For what it's worth.

Chad

Magnoli for me all the way... great bag, but can't fit many things... i always carry big stuff round

I have an original MkVII from WPG, as I rarely use it and am careful with it when I do use it. One ring attachment did break, but I was able to replace it with close-matching polypropylene webbing and it's good as new.

At the time I ordered my original MkVII from WPG, it actually cost *less* than their repros. I see that silliness has since been corrected on the website.

I also bought WPG's leather strap. It's good quality, though the color seems to rub off a bit.

Sorry for sounding naive... but what does WPG stand for?

WPG stands for What Price Glory
http://onlinemilitaria.net/

It's a military surplus store I think.


I don't own a WPG bag but I am VERY satisfied with my Magnoli bag.

tym wrote: I also bought WPG's leather strap. It's good quality, though the color seems to rub off a bit.

I personally dislike WPG strap: it is too stiff and thick.

BTW, when I ordered my MK VII, I actually received TWO bags due to an organization error. for the cost of one, I mean

I just got a bag from Wested.....funny thing, their website lists the bags as original MK VII's but I ended up with a MK VI.....the other problem is, the bag came extremely shriveled and stitching was already falling apart along with some evidence of dry rot. Terrible QC. I'm glad I still have my Magnoli.

I've worn out three original MKVII's - they do wear out and it seems to take about a year to become unusable. I think I got my Magnoli bag(s) about 7 months ago and they're showing NO sign of wear other than the paint on the strap rings. For me, it's cheaper and easier to get a Magnoli bag and I very much believe it's a more durable and better made bag.

Plus I love the colour of it... plus they don't have that musty, rank 'been through the trenches and stored in a footlocker with rotten socks for 60 years' smell at all. ...plus you're not destroying history, I'm all for that.

Snakewhip_Sable wrote:Plus I love the colour of it... plus they don't have that musty, rank 'been through the trenches and stored in a footlocker with rotten socks for 60 years' smell at all. ...plus you're not destroying history, I'm all for that.

I hit my original MkVII with a few spritzes of Febreze and the musty odor is essentially gone. If you use the bag daily or subject it to hard wear, then I agree that repro is the way to go. Given that my original spends about 95% of its time on a peg in the closet, I'm not too worried about destroying a piece of history.