BWCA Duluth pack score & waxing canvas question Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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firemedic5586
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12/09/2017 12:25PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
The other day while cruising a local pawn shop; I scored a Duluth Pack #4 Original and a #2 Cruiser: both in awesome shape, out the door for $100 plus tax.

Both packs were unwaxed. I waxed the Cruiser using Otter Wax @ $20 a pint, it looks like I will have about $30 into it once I'm done.. Looking to save some cash by not using Otter Wax on the #4 I did some poking around on the Google and came up with a 50/50 mix of beeswax and canning paraffin. I now have 2lbs of mixed wax that I was about start waxing the #4 pack with... Then it dawned on me, if I can smell the honey in this wax with my bad sniffer.... I sure as heck don't want a pack getting the sweet smell of honey into all my gear, or near my gear while in the BWCA.. Does anyone have any idea how to neutralize the smell of this beeswax?
 
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Northwoodsman
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12/09/2017 06:55PM  
firemedic5586, why are you waxing them? What's the purpose and advantage?
 
12/09/2017 07:01PM  
quote Northwoodsman: "firemedic5586, why are you waxing them? What's the purpose and advantage?"


Curious also?
 
12/09/2017 10:23PM  
quote Pinetree: "
quote Northwoodsman: "firemedic5586, why are you waxing them? What's the purpose and advantage?"



Curious also?"




They hold water in better that way. Haha. I think the idea would be to shed water. I had a pack made for me that had a waxed canvas. I didn't see or notice any advantage. But the pack was heavy in itself.
 
Savage Voyageur
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12/09/2017 11:30PM  
I understand your want for a waxed pack, but consider just using a pack liner to keep things dry inside. Also spray some Scotch Gard to waterproof the canvas if you like. Much simpler and lighter.
 
Northwoodsman
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12/10/2017 03:14PM  
It was always my understanding that when canvas got wet that it would seal itself not allowing any more water in, but thus the need for a pack liner. A wet pack is heavier though.
 
12/10/2017 06:27PM  
quote Northwoodsman: "It was always my understanding that when canvas got wet that it would seal itself not allowing any more water in, but thus the need for a pack liner. A wet pack is heavier though."


A pack liner( a good old heavy guage oversized garbage bag(55 gallon bag etc.) is a must with any pack almost.
 
12/10/2017 06:31PM  
quote Pinetree: "
quote Northwoodsman: "It was always my understanding that when canvas got wet that it would seal itself not allowing any more water in, but thus the need for a pack liner. A wet pack is heavier though."



A pack liner( a good old heavy guage oversized garbage bag(55 gallon bag etc.) is a must with any pack almost."




I agree. I love the newer materials, but always use a good liner.
 
firemedic5586
distinguished member (190)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/10/2017 06:51PM  
I have tried scotch guard, and the equivalent on other stuff and have never been impressed.. I think it does a good job of sealing up the threads in the fabric, but not so much the spaces between the thread weave. I want to make the packs water resistant, thus the wax, plus I like the feel of the stiffer canvas. I have plenty of dry bags and a metric ass ton of 55 gallon contractor bags to use as liners for all my ruck sacks..
 
Moonpath
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12/11/2017 06:28PM  
I own several Duluth packs, a few waxed but most are unwaxed. I agree with what has been said. Use a pack liner to keep thinks dry inside your pack. These will dry faster than the waxed version and weigh less. The waxed packs may shed a bit more water initially, but under consistent rain they will soak through. I do think waxed packs look cool, however. JerryG
 
schweady
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12/13/2017 10:43AM  
Never found the need to wax; canvas fibers swell when wet, effectively sealing up the openings. We use contractor debris bags for liners, like many others here.
 
firemedic5586
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12/13/2017 02:56PM  
firemedic5586: "The other day while cruising a local pawn shop; I scored a Duluth Pack #4 Original and a #2 Cruiser: both in awesome shape, out the door for $100 plus tax.

Both packs were unwaxed. I waxed the Cruiser using Otter Wax @ $20 a pint, it looks like I will have about $30 into it once I'm done.. Looking to save some cash by not using Otter Wax on the #4 I did some poking around on the Google and came up with a 50/50 mix of beeswax and canning paraffin. I now have 2lbs of mixed wax that I was about start waxing the #4 pack with... Then it dawned on me, if I can smell the honey in this wax with my bad sniffer.... I sure as heck don't want a pack getting the sweet smell of honey into all my gear, or near my gear while in the BWCA.. Does anyone have any idea how to neutralize the smell of this beeswax?"


Thanks for the advice.
I waxed the #2 Cruiser and it turned out looking good.. It's 10 ounces heavier, I don't think that will break the bank weight wise,, I think I will sit on doing the #4 for a bit..
 
12/14/2017 09:48AM  
I didn't post earlier because I didn't have anything to contribute towards your question, but I'm curious - what did you ultimately do about the honey odor? I thought perhaps Duluth Pack might have answers for you. Got any pre/post photos?
 
firemedic5586
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12/14/2017 10:51PM  
mirth: "I didn't post earlier because I didn't have anything to contribute towards your question, but I'm curious - what did you ultimately do about the honey odor? I thought perhaps Duluth Pack might have answers for you. Got any pre/post photos?"



No I don't have pre/post pics. If you want I can post the after pics.

As for the honey odor. I thought I would try the other of the two wax mixes Recipes- Adding turpentine and boiled linseed oil to the wax.. I can tell you that the honey smell is totally covered by the smell of the turpentine/linseed oil. = I tossed my homemade blend out.

After my last post I decided to wax the #4 using Otter Wax Bars, as compared to using the otter wax one melts then spreads using a brush..

My AAR is as follows.. Using bars went one heck of a lot faster and easier as compared to painting on melter wax . The only time/place I think brushing melted wax on may be a plus is on seams.

For what it's worth, while I was on a roll, I went though and worked Obenauf's into all the leather on my new to me rucks.
 
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