Club Obi Wan

http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi/products. ... turnpage=0

I though that this might make a good indy bag. I'm considering getting on in the future. Does any one have one, or know anything about them?

Wow, that does look like an Indy bag. It's new to me. As the Aussies would say, 'good on you' for finding it!

Looks like a great bag indeed.

I have one on the way. I'll let you know. Regards. Michaelson

I received the bag today. Though not a MkVII replacement, for anyone wanting something close to top off their outfit, this one will do nicely. Color is a chocolate brown, close to the color of a standard Fed. All cotton with an oil finish. It gets on your hands, but it will probably tone down once I wash it for the first time. Dry cotton lined, but on quick inspection isn't partitioned. No rings on the two piece strap, so it can't be replaced with a Keppler or MBA leather strap, but it's a 1 inch width, and at a glance, it's the right width. Strap is two piece with buckle, and even PBG would be able to wear this one, the length is so long, but can be cinched up for perfect wear length. Not sure yet what to do with all the extra unused strap, but like I mentioned, my look was a quick one, as I received it before walking out the door. Not as deep as the MkVII, but width in both directions are perfect. Like I said, not a replacement, but a great substitute for the price, and an excellent field bag. VERY well made, with brass snaps and brass gromets for the buckle keeper on the strap. Folds up VERY small too...bag arrived in a mailing envelope, so storage is easy. Good find, Dakota. I give it a thumbs up for those not looking for exact, but real close, and USABLE! Regards. Michaelson

What size envelope??? Also, good news to hear that you got one and that it's a good bag! Thanks for posting about it

It was approximately 10x14 inches. The bag folds down quite small, but opens to be a good sized bag. I forgot to mention there are two sets of brass snaps, two at the top to hold the shape, and the two at the bottom to close the flap. A real simple but effective system, in my opinion. Regards. Michaelson

Some pics would be nice.

I have to figure out the dang camera again, but plan to do so soon. I also have to take pictures of the new Cotton Wested. Oh, the washing machine didn't change a thing regarding the oil finish, so it's just something that will apparently stay in the cloth. It's not something that seems to transfer to cloth, and washes off of your hands easily, so I'm not really sure what the heck it is, but it's sure impregnated into the outside material. None is in the inside liner, though, so there's no fear of it getting onto anything you store inside. The instructions just say to wipe the bag off with a rag, and no washing instructions at all, so even though it doesn't suggest it, I successfully did the machine washing, but allowed to competely air dry. I wouldn't trust an all cotton item in a hot dryer. May end up with something the size of a wallet....a really OILY wallet. Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:I have to figure out the dang camera again, but plan to do so soon. I also have to take pictures of the new Cotton Wested. Regards. Michaelson

Mmmmmmmmm. turn on power, Push Button ???

Dalexs

Lens cap? What the heck is THAT?? Regards. Michaelson

Lens Cap?? With my camera, when I turn on the power the lens just kinda pops out Pushing the lens cap right off! Its nearly idiot proof!
(notice I said "nearly").


Dalexs

Re: Driza-Bone

If you keep machine washing the bag, you will remove the finish. Best to just sponge or rinse with cold (repeat, cold) water. A garden hose works fine. Finish can be reapplied if necessary. Of course, that means buying a can of the dressing. It's about half the price of the bag itself. ($14 USD, last I checked.) (No, Pecard's will not substitute in this case! )

Bushman

Does Driza Bone relate to the old saying: "Dry to the Bone". Having not been exposed to DrizaBone before, I'm guessing that they put a waxy coating to waterproof the material? Is that the oil finish Michaelson referred to?

Dalexs wrote:Lens Cap?? With my camera, when I turn on the power the lens just kinda pops out Pushing the lens cap right off! Its nearly idiot proof!
(notice I said "nearly").


Dalexs

I don't even HAVE a lens cap on my digital camera and the lens is placed in the upper right corner for some reason, allowing people to put fingerprints on it each time you lend it out to get a photo of yourself for a change... You can be blurry and out of focus and you can be blurry and out of focus at the same time.

/Swindy

ITG,

Yes, the name is Strine (Australian slang and pronunciation) for the phrase "dry as a bone."

You are right in comparing Driza-Bone to waxed cotton. It is comparable to the British "waxed cotton" garments or Filson's oil cloth. (Those Brit waxed cotton items shouldn't be machine washed either.)

Well, if your item is really filthy, you could machine wash in LUKEWARM water with a mild detergent. Yes, you'll have to apply the garment dressing.

Small wonder W. L. Gore invented Gore-tex!

Bushman

Bushman, do you have any idea what the heck they use on the bag? It's definitely coated VERY heavily, and even scrapes off around the buckle when you adjust it on the strap, and yet easily washes off your hands. Really weird stuff. The washing machine 'stunt' was just a test to see what the coating would do, but it didn't do a thing to the coating. I don't plan on attempting that again, myself. Without any interior inserts, it kind of limits what you can use it for, as opposed to the dividers inside the standard MkVII or WPG bag. That's just about the ONLY nit- picky thing I can even think to even really say 'against' the bag. Regards. Michaelson

Hmm, do I dare betray the long-held Driza-Bone secret formula and risk the horrible death of one thousand wombats???!!! Even for Michaelson???!!!

Ah, what the heck!

Actually, I far as I know, it is still basically good old paraffin wax. I do recall that the early waxed cotton garments were usually black or blackish green because of the copper content in the dressing. Tinkering with the goop allowed manufacturers to produce lighter colors (er, like brown ).

I'm sure the stuff used by Driza-Bone, Filson, and Barbour has been further refined over the years. No doubt the head of "Driza-Bone Dressing Research" would be aghast over my amateurish comments.

Bushman

Heck, I'm always looking for a good moustache wax....I thought this was a new one to consider. (grins) Thanks, Bushman! That's what I was wondering, and paraffin was what I THOUGHT it might be, but just wasn't sure. Regards. Michaelson

Yeah, I saw that when I went to their website. It did remind me of the Indy bag, but I decided the resemblance wasn't close enough. -IndianaJones

Has anyone seen these bags? If you "weathered" one a little, it might turn out pretty good looking for an "Indy" bag. Look forward to everyone's comments.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... gory=18834

This is a WPG bag, and has been discussed, owned and used by folks here for over a year now. Great bag...I have one, and a dead ringer for the MkVII, though a bit 'tan' in color than the original. Regards. Michaelson

I have one as well. It works good and looks the part and costs less than what you can normally get a real MkVII for.

Luke

Looks like Indy_Chris just put two brand new WPB bags with Keppler strap replacements up for sale in the classified section too. Regards. Michaelson