My Field Bag - Pic heavy

[bob21804]

I started this project, for myself a couple months ago, and wanted to finish it up before a camping and music festival, that I'll be attending with 3 of my grandkids this weekend - an annual grandpa and grand-monster thing we've been doing for several years now. The design/style of the bag was created using ideas from various outdoorsy-type bags I've seen online. The figure carvings designs were especially challenging for me, as I'm a novice. I had a few goals in mind when making it. With it being for me, I definitely didn't want a feminine-looking bag, and jokingly referred to it as "my FIELD BAG! - it's not a "man-purse!"", thus the "manly" figure carving subjects. I also wanted a somewhat rugged, bold and rustic styling look and feel, with several latching points and antique dye and flat antique brass dee-rings and hardware. The small side pouch is removable, held on by a couple snaps. I included a finger loop and removable shoulder strap. Let me know what you think. I do appreciate feedback.

Edited May 18, 2016 by bob21804

[bikermutt07]

Yeah, I don't think anyone will mistake that as feminine. I like it, looks great.

[MonicaJacobson]

Cool bag - yeah, no way that's feminine. It looks solid and nicely made. 

[bob21804]

Thanks, Bikermutt and Monica. I appreciate the comments. It was a fun project and nice to create something like this, that I expect to outlive me. I hope it eventually gets passed on to one of my grandkids, and he or she gets to pass it onto his/her grandkid some day.  I think I'll be applying some Sno Seal before our blues festival and camping trip, as we're likely to get some rain this weekend.

Monica, I hope to soon tackle a more modern and feminine bag, (the first one will probably be a gift to my daughter) which I know you create some beautiful examples, so I hope to pick your brain and experience a bit when that project is ready to start. I may be looking to use a thinner, softer oiled tanned leather, and possibly experiment with some other-than-earth-tone color with that one. Thanks again.

Bob

Edited May 18, 2016 by bob21804

[MonicaJacobson]

Actually, there are a whole set of bags like these that are style for women or men. I like them better than the overly feminine bags. They're classy and solid looking. But it's fun to try all kinds. I have always had trouble making masculine bags. I get carried away with details and colors. I think I've only successfully made three actually masculine looking bags in the last three or four years. Oh well. I'm resigned to it, now.  

[bob21804]

7 hours ago, MonicaJacobson said:

Actually, there are a whole set of bags like these that are style for women or men. I like them better than the overly feminine bags. They're classy and solid looking. But it's fun to try all kinds. I have always had trouble making masculine bags. I get carried away with details and colors. I think I've only successfully made three actually masculine looking bags in the last three or four years. Oh well. I'm resigned to it, now.  

Yea, I can see the basic design working for either men or women. I think the determining factors would be in the details - any tooling work, possibly colors, hardware chosen and even variations in the way the leather is cut. It's all good. I'd like to make myself a backpack some day. I was checking out that gorgeous one in your website.

[Eddie Q]

You Mr. are gonna be the talk of such music festival ! It sure is an awesome "field bag", I think anybody could

sport that bag and just feel proud of the workmanship. By the way, is that a poly thread or artificial sinew ?

[bob21804]

Wow, thank you for the great compliment! The thread is a 1 mm waxed nylon, sold by several sellers from China, on eBay. Others have said it's almost as good as Tiger Thread, at a fraction of the cost. I've never used Tiger Thread, so I can't vouch for the comparison, but I like it a lot.

[makitmama]

I think your hardware is amazing.

[bob21804]

Thanks. Its really nothing fancy, but I think appropriate for the look I wanted. I ordered the antique brass hardware from Springfield Leather. I especially like the flat dee-rings.