A large leather barrel costrel.
- redhandfilms
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A large leather barrel costrel.
I'm working on getting my first kit together. My first trek is in a few weeks (Oct 12-Oct 16).
I'm working on a leather barrel costrel. I might have gone overboard and made it a bit too large, but then again, I do have a 5 day trek and won't necessarily have stream crossings every day.
I don't to much leather tooling, but I couldn't leave such a large space blank. I'll paint the tree white before beeswax.
The end caps puffed out very nicely. I started shaping with the traditional way by wetting and packing it with marbles and pebbles first, only to find I just did not have enough. So, I went to a party supply store and got some big, 24" latex balloons. I put one in the hole, blew it up with my air compressor, tied it off and left it to dry. Worked amazingly. I'll definitely use the balloon for future (maybe smaller) canteens.
It's larger than a 2 Liter soda bottle! Seems big, but I do typically carry at least a 2L camelbak for modern backpacking.
Need to trim and finish the edges, paint the tree, beeswax, and make a stopper and strap.
Bonus, the small, test bottle I made first. I'll use this one to carry cooking oil. Made by packing BBs, before I figured out the balloon trick.
I'm working on a leather barrel costrel. I might have gone overboard and made it a bit too large, but then again, I do have a 5 day trek and won't necessarily have stream crossings every day.
I don't to much leather tooling, but I couldn't leave such a large space blank. I'll paint the tree white before beeswax.
The end caps puffed out very nicely. I started shaping with the traditional way by wetting and packing it with marbles and pebbles first, only to find I just did not have enough. So, I went to a party supply store and got some big, 24" latex balloons. I put one in the hole, blew it up with my air compressor, tied it off and left it to dry. Worked amazingly. I'll definitely use the balloon for future (maybe smaller) canteens.
It's larger than a 2 Liter soda bottle! Seems big, but I do typically carry at least a 2L camelbak for modern backpacking.
Need to trim and finish the edges, paint the tree, beeswax, and make a stopper and strap.
Bonus, the small, test bottle I made first. I'll use this one to carry cooking oil. Made by packing BBs, before I figured out the balloon trick.
- ForgeCorvus
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Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
That is brilliant...... So jealous
I don't think you can carry too much water
I don't think you can carry too much water
All debts are paid....... Nothing forgiven. Nothing forgotten.
"All Things Strive" Gd Tak 'Gar
Barron (BAH-Ron) son of Barris (BAH-Ras) AKA Barron 'Blackcap'.
Independent Fellsward, Jobber, Tinker and Traveller in Trifles
"All Things Strive" Gd Tak 'Gar
Barron (BAH-Ron) son of Barris (BAH-Ras) AKA Barron 'Blackcap'.
Independent Fellsward, Jobber, Tinker and Traveller in Trifles
Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
Yeah, I did a similar thing for my costrel. Balloon is much better than rice or other filler.redhandfilms wrote: ↑Wed Sep 28, 2022 3:35 pm ...So, I went to a party supply store and got some big, 24" latex balloons. I put one in the hole, blew it up with my air compressor, tied it off and left it to dry. Worked amazingly. I'll definitely use the balloon for future (maybe smaller) canteens.
-Jack Horner
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Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
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Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
- Iodo
- Thangailhir
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Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
really cool, and the balloon idea is inspired
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
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- redhandfilms
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Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
And yet none of the many tutorials I've gone through use a balloon. The giant balloons are incredibly strong when not fully inflated. I can't believe people are using rice. I see that on wet leather and just know it's going to be a nightmare to clean out when it gets wet and sticky. At least marbles, pebbles, and BBs don't absorb moisture. I just didn't have enough.
- Taylor Steiner
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Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
This is really nice work.
The size isn't a bad thing given that many trail meals require water to cook.
The size isn't a bad thing given that many trail meals require water to cook.
But the white fury of the Northmen burned the hotter, and more skilled was their knighthood with long spears and bitter. Fewer were they but they clove through the Southrons like a fire-bolt in a forest.
- redhandfilms
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Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
I was busy last night. Tree painted. Just white acrylic.
Stopper made from oak dowel. Edges trimmed and sanded.
And waxxed! Inside and out. Dang, I love that rich brown of just beeswax on veg tan leather. I gave it a quick leak test this morning and so far so good!
Now I just need to buff/polish and add the strap.
Stopper made from oak dowel. Edges trimmed and sanded.
And waxxed! Inside and out. Dang, I love that rich brown of just beeswax on veg tan leather. I gave it a quick leak test this morning and so far so good!
Now I just need to buff/polish and add the strap.
Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
Absolutely gorgeous work!!
For my own part, I used barley, and I can safely say that it was a GIANT PAIN. I had heard a couple other people recommend the balloon method in the past, but at the time I din’t have a means of inflating it with enough force to actually accomplish anything, so barley it was! In future I honestly might just get a mold made so I can shape the sides separately before stitching them up, and hopefully achieve a slightly more uniform shape, since mine warped slightly in the stretching process - but then, mine is also a two-sided bottle design similar to your oil flask above, rather than a full barrel-style costrel.
Anyway, once again, this is just beautiful! Can’t wait to see some pics of it in action with you!
For my own part, I used barley, and I can safely say that it was a GIANT PAIN. I had heard a couple other people recommend the balloon method in the past, but at the time I din’t have a means of inflating it with enough force to actually accomplish anything, so barley it was! In future I honestly might just get a mold made so I can shape the sides separately before stitching them up, and hopefully achieve a slightly more uniform shape, since mine warped slightly in the stretching process - but then, mine is also a two-sided bottle design similar to your oil flask above, rather than a full barrel-style costrel.
Anyway, once again, this is just beautiful! Can’t wait to see some pics of it in action with you!
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains
Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
Very very nice! Very clean. I'll have to remember that balloon trick!
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- Tom_Ranger
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Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
It's a brilliant design and build. I would like to see how you wear it on your kit.
Life is a great adventure; if I live to be 10,000 years old, it won't be enough.
- Iodo
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Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
beautiful work
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
- Thalion of Bree
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Re: A large leather barrel costrel.
Lovely! I like that tree. That's a good tree.
-Thalion, Thontaur's son