I recently purchased a Finnish Gas Mask bag from our local @5col and felt like sharing my ongoing modifications to make this my all around EDC bag. (I believe that @Panzer has one extensive reviews and mods on this bag also over on Another Forum ) Pics to follow!
Mod #1 I created a small pocket to stow the waist strap. Mod #2 Buckle Replacement Replaced #1 D ring with medium duty QuickLink. Cut strap on end opposite D link and sewed 2 Loops for placing of 2nd QuickLink. Mod #3 Creation of larger strap from old canteen pouch strap.
I especially like the shoulder strap you put on there. We have a guy up in New York who is buying these from us and treating them to make them waterproof. He's done 37 so far. The closure flap makes this really doable since it completely covers the opening on the bag.
Haven't done it yet as i am waiting to see if i make any further changes... BUT i will be giving it a nice waterproofing/ Waxing once i get a majority of the sewing alterations done. The nice part i have found is that the fabric while heavy duty i am still able to use my newer sewing machine with all the bells and whistles which makes it WAY WAY easier! This is the main reason i haven't waterproofed it yet as i don't want wax gumming up the machine.. More to come thou!!!! I use this bag EVERY day!
That's a sexy bag. What color option is that? The mods look real nice. Can't wait to see what else you come up with!
It looks like either the Tan/Brown color or possibly Distressed, but a lot of this depends on the lighting when the picture was taken. Doesn't look very OD to me. I have heard that Tan/Brown is better for waterproofing than OD. The OD is a thinner material than the Tan/Brown bags.
SO I have used this bag almost everyday since I got it! It is my daily carry as well as a diaper bag. It has gone across the country and back with me already and i can say that i am very pleased. While there are small modifications i may make in the future one that i feel was very necessary was a way to contain smaller items that are loose inside. If not careful when the bag is squeezed the smaller items tend to turn in to rockets fly out of the bag. SO... I decided to add additional cinch material to safely contain everything. Not sure the proper term for what i did but you can see below. The material is about 8 1/2 inches tall when un cinched. A unforeseen benefit is when cinched and rolled down the top provides a nice place to put items you want separate from the inside of the bag. Simply unroll and the top is exposed. You can see it uncinched. It does contain baby bottles very well Little blue showing just for reference and proof It can be completely concealed as you can see. Would never know it’s there unless opened.
I finally picked one up myself. Only mod so far is waxing it. It came out great, and I'm very happy with it. Will have to do some other mods soon.
@Kevo I use 2 different sewing machines. The canvas and strapping becomes a little thick and starts messing up my newer one. I like the newer one because it is WAY easier to use. But if I need to do the thick work I use a 50 year old Kenmore heavy duty machine. BUT it’s some serious work as it really only sews in a straight line and I have to do a lot of spinning and turning instead of being able to use the reverse or thread cutting feature.. That said the bag will likely rot apart before the stitching comes undone