Club Obi Wan

While hiking, this past Saturday, I broke my MK VII. Keep in mind, I always do a bag check at the start of a trip and make sure the leather strap is in good shape and that no seams are coming loose. I was at the peak of Mt. Eisenhower when the bag goes swinging behind me.

What is weird is that the ring used to hold the leather strap actually wore through the canvas strapping that secures it to the bag. Luckily, I always keep the little pieces of twine intact in that pocket on the side. I was able to use the 60-year old string and tie it to the ring so that I would have a functional bag again.

I have 3 or 4 back-up bags, but this was my favorite. Anybody have any ideas as to who can repair this? I have already tried WPG and they do not do this type of repair. They did tell me that the material is the same material that the original canvas strap is made from, which is a nice ppice of trivia, but it does not help.

I may try a local alteration shop, but I will need to learn to speak another language to get my needs across

Rick, is it possible to just sew the two worn through pieces of webbing back together in some way to secure the ring? It won't look brand new, but it will look like it's seen some adventures.

Alternatively, how about using a WPG as 'spares' and using the part from that?

My first idea was to use a heavy nylon thread or fishing line and just attach it to the side of the bag. I would like to have it done right though...

I cannot sew to save my life. I have messed with putting ribbons on hats, but I cannot even find a good tutorial on line to teach me to sew. All thumbs.

Sewing the ends together will not work well. It looks as if it were chewed through by a gopher. I guess I could buy a WPG just to part it out. I will try to post a picture of it. I did take one, but I have no idea where it is at the moment.

Thanks for posting

You may have to ask in the classifieds, if anyone has a mutilated bag they are using for parts. I know a few guys have scavenged parts from one bag to make another better. Might be able to get somebodyu to send you just the side piece you need. It's worth a shot.
'Blues

As a boy scout, I topped my class in sewing. Now I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but my wife can't sew at all so it sure comes in handy and saves us a few quid.

One last thought - many people have purchased a MKVII and cut off the original webbing strap. How about taking that to the tailors and having then make up and attatch the needed part?

In fact, I'm expecting a couple of MKVII's anyday now, and if they have the original strap I'll send you one over to you gratis mate, I have no use for them.

As a boy scout, I topped my class in sewing. Now I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but my wife can't sew at all so it sure comes in handy and saves us a few quid.

Ten years ago I would have laughed at that. Now I have nothing but respect for it.

One last thought - many people have purchased a MKVII and cut off the original webbing strap. How about taking that to the tailors and having then make up and attatch the needed part?

I have personally thrown out 5 of these straps as I figured I would never use them. :evil: I am such a pack-rat too.

In fact, I'm expecting a couple of MKVII's anyday now, and if they have the original strap I'll send you one over to you gratis mate, I have no use for them.

Wow. Thanks. I don't know what to say. I appreciate that.

No problem Rick, and I appreciate you not laughing at my sewing skills. Just don't tell the other guys.

As soon as the bags arrive, I'll PM you.

Regards

Al

HEY RIiiiiiiick!
Now the tables have turned!! I can get you back for sending me the leather scent! I have 3 or 4 MK VI webbing straps over here. Post a pic or describe the color of the webbing on your bag so I can match the color closely.
PM me, and Ill send one out to you!

Cheers
I J

Cool, if James has one it'll get to you quicker Rick - if not, my offer still stands.

Now the tables have turned!! I can get you back for sending me the leather scent!

You make sound as if you are getting revenge for something I did wrong You guys are great. I can take a picture , but it looks as if there may be two different colored straps on the bag now, so it is not vital. As long as it works, I do not care what it looks like. I won't be able to get the picture out until tomorrow morning, but I am in no hurry. Thanks again.

:evil: LOL thats right, the leather scent made my jacket smell good!! You are going down!

Ill pick out a nice one, so PM me your adress and Ill send it out this week.

Best Regards
James

ob1al wrote:No problem Rick, and I appreciate you not laughing at my sewing skills. Just don't tell the other guys.

As soon as the bags arrive, I'll PM you.

Regards

Al

Ummm.... My name is bink, and I took Home Ec...

Don't feel so bad. I took Home Ec. years ago because I wanted to learn how to sew. Sadly, it turns out that a hot water hose broke in the room and destroyed everything right before we got to that section of the class...

I think Indy must've had some basic sewing know-how. I mean, he burned a hole in his bag!

bink

What's all this talk amoung guys about sewing? What happened? Did the world run out of duct tape?

I didn't think they HAD duct tape back then. If that's the case, then it wouldn't be Indy accurate. *DUH!*

bink

Well, since duct tape was developed by Johnson and Johnson during WWII for the military (to keep the contents of ammunition boxes dry) in the early 1940's and since the MK VII bag appeared during WWII as well, it could be considered Indy accurate.

"Duck" tape was the original name. As Indiana Jess correctly notes, it was first used widely during the war. Only later was it used for "duct work." There is still a brand with the "Duck" name.

As far as sewing, every good sailor knows how to sew.

Bushman

Oh wait - did I accidentally say 'sewing'?

Of course you all know I meant ducktaping! An easy mistake to make.

Rick - I said DON'T TELL ANY OF THE GUYS! :evil:

I was curious as to when "duck" tape was initially developed. I honestly thought it may have been around then, but was uncertain. Thanks for the history lesson.

But since the movies take place in the 30's...

ob1al wrote:Of course you all know I meant ducktaping! An easy mistake to make.

It must have been the booze talkin'

binkmeisterRick wrote:But since the movies take place in the 30's...

... there's no way MK VII's would have been available. So not even Indy was Indy accurate!

Rick - If you want a good job done on this, I strongly recommend you find a saddler to do the work.

This is more in line with the sort of repairs they do (rather than a tailor) & they will have the right sort of equipment to do the job, such as heavy duty needles & the wood grip to hold the bag while they hand stitch it, which is MUCH better than machine stitching. Plus the thread used is really heavily duty.

If you can find a saddler that does horse blankets/repairs, even better, as they will have more experience working with webbing material.

I have leather utility belt gear/holsters for work & I always have a saddler double stitch my pouches before I start using them. Never once yet (touch wood) any fail on me.

Good luck

Too bad they have already figured out how to fix it. I would have loved doing the job for you!

Some might remember a post with further bag tampering, don't do this at home: http://medlem.spray.se/larskalvemark/in ... viipocket/
Wait... DO it at home.

Seriously though, nice to hear everything seems to fall in place on how to repair it.

Was the ring corroded/sharp or do you think mold in the fabric had something to do with it? Or, if I know you right, did you try to reenact the tank chase scene from LC? Hm!?

Regards,
Swindiana

Thanks Skippy for another great idea. I will have to look around for a saddler to see if I have one in the area. You guys are full of ideas and I appreciate that. Here is the picture I took shortly after I Mickey-Moused the bag into a useful condition again.



A larger picture is here.

Another good reason not to cut the strings that come on many bags

Was the ring corroded/sharp or do you think mold in the fabric had something to do with it? Or, if I know you right, did you try to reenact the tank chase scene from LC?

Haha. No, the rings are in great shape as you can see in the picture. This is actually the one part of the bag I will sand if necessary to keep it in good condition. I was afraid of the leather strap eventually wearing through and I check that before each hike. I never thought to look at the area where the ring joins the bag.

The only thing out of the ordinary was that the bag was in a heavy downpour (over 1 1/2 hours). The part that is interesting is that the inside of the bag stayed dry - you could flip the top open and see that it was very dry. I guess maybe they do not treat the straps with water repellant?