Field Testing

Wednesday, January 16, 2013Wednesday, February 27, 2013 ~ George Crawford ~ 7 Comments

Field testing the nearly finished rucksack. It still needs a few closures and bits but is essentially as finished as anything I make. It’s poorly packed for a quick hike and not very full. More pictures to follow when I get some time off to tramp around with it.

Features: Heavy, waxed canvas truck tarp with 10-12 oz leather straps and all brass hardware. It has an axe sleeve, two long, exterior pockets, small flap pocket, two narrow pen-type sleeves, interior valuables pocket, compression D-rings on sides, D rings for shelter roll, and loops for carabiners.

All hand saddle-stitched and riveted at stress points. I’ll put up a sketch of the pattern for anyone interested.

The Duluth Pack – The First Patented Backpack

Tuesday, January 15, 2013Saturday, December 7, 2013 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

I just have to reblog this!

74 FOOTWEAR DESIGN CONSULTING

Camille Poirier patented the first back pack on Dec. 12, 1882 in Duluth, Minnesota (Patent No. 268,932). Initially called the Pack-Strap the pack is today referred to as the Duluth Pack.

The basic design of the Duluth Pack already existed in the blanket bag, or knapsack and had been in use for at least 100 years by the British Army prior to the patent, especially during the American Revolution. But Camille Poirier added a few improvements including a sternum strap, tumpline and an umbrella strap to hold an umbrella, or sunshade above the users head while hiking.

With a budding wilderness recreation movement in the USA, the Duluth Pack designed for ease of use went onto arguably become the first world’s first recreational backpack.

Incredibly today and over 130 years since its patent, the Duluth Pack is still is available and being made in Duluth, Minnesota, USA.

Which new products…

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Wooden Pack Frame

Tuesday, January 8, 2013Wednesday, November 14, 2018 ~ George Crawford ~ 18 Comments

One of many projects happening around here this yule-tide season. A new classic-style rucksack is being sewn, much leatherwork is occurring, and this pack frame is being finished. The wood is shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) made from a bowstave section and some other scrap from the pile. All was split before finishing so the grain is perfectly aligned with the lumber. This made for easy steam bending. As I was working from many examples but no actual plan, there was a lot of mock-up and tweaking of the design to fit my size and intended needs. There’s no metal in the construction. The freight bar and cross members are half-lapped and lashed with rawhide. The bar is also pegged to prevent slipping under load. More to come as it gets finished and field tested.

Here’s a few older frames I could find around the ‘net:

Backpack

Thursday, January 20, 2011Sunday, March 27, 2011 ~ George Crawford ~ 20 Comments

As if the evenings weren’t busy enough. I had the urge to create something large from leather. This is probably my biggest project of this type to date. It’s a bit heavy compared to lightweight nylon of modern packs but it will probably outlive me.

It took the better part of an oak tanned cow side and some harness leather for the straps. It was a load of work for somebody as lazy as I am but an interesting puzzle to design and put together.