Recreating the Trapper Nelson Back Pack Part 1

[@kagapeme]

I was stuck between watching rufus rolling around in the background, and watching dave thread the grommets... lol!

[@shockwavecity]

4:45 Looks like rufus is enjoying the warmer weather.

[@toneyjohnson8910]

Love that pack. I will have to set some time off to take those two classes. I have be camping and hiking all my life and was a Boy Scout master for 25 years until they changed some of there values. I am enjoying camping the way they did years ago. Thanks for bringing this back to my life.

[@booly5]

I love how your dog just randomly pops in and out Great vids keep posting!!!

[@gregsummers7350]

Nice job. I learned to use a hand awl 30+ years ago to modify and repair my field kit, a skill I have used every year since. A great project with a good take away at the end.

[@richholtzman9754]

When I joined the Boy Scouts in 1963 each new tenderfoot was given a canvas pack & frame kit just like the one you showed to build for their first backpack. I remember my Dad & I putting the frame together. Brings back a lot of great memories. Wish I still had that pack & frame. Thanks Dave.

[@madapplestudios]

Haven't watched any of your videos for a while but I started again. Was great stuff for when I was getting my eagle scout rank. Just bought both the Bushcraft 101 and Advanced Bushcraft books. Great stuff.

[@trynsurviven2440]

That is a cool back pack system. I need to brush up on my backpack history because I have never seen one of those. Thank you Dave for sharing this, I have truly learned something.

[@StonehouseWilderness]

This is awesome, thank you very much. I'm going to the shop now to pick some lumber and get going on one of these.

[@Jesses001]

Well made pack and frame. It looks like you could use it just fine right now. Clearly made to last, and I look forward to watching you remake it. That being said, I already have all the information I need to make it myself. The design is so simple just showing me it disassembled like that was more then enough.

[@MadDawg91108]

This looks like a fun project....can't wait for part 2.

[@richardfloyd7387]

I have used the old trapper nelson pack all over the cascade mountains, and the coast range in Oregon for years. Fine pack no matter the load carried.

[@warlockcommandcenter]

I WANTED TO SAY HELLO DAVE, and say that when I was younger in the 1960's I had an old BSA Handbook from the early 1940-50's that show this type of early pack and frame at the time I had a BSA yucca pack and frames and I find it interesting the evolution of the current pack and frames another interesting place to visit is the site of the filming of Bonanza at Lake Tahoe they have a camping museum. I also have a Sunset Book that is a late 1950's camping book it is very insightful. I was an assistant scout master for a few years teaching basic wilderness skills to our troop. Good times...

[@afsof1015]

Thank You David for sharing your experience on that pack frame. :-))

[@wildernessman2022]

Dave Canterbury is a Great Outdoors man he is the most knowledgeable man when it comes to survivel. As will he has one of the best speaking voices for teaching survival. I am not a newbiewhen it comes to survivel. But i love to to be able to attend his classes. I can not afford his class but. Anyone how is looking to learn about Survivel. THIS IS THE MAN TO TALK TOO! He is like no other. Seek him out. Or just watch his videos. you learn lean so much from him. HE IS A TOP OF THE LINE PRO. IN HIS FIELD OF SURVIVAL! a real master of the art.

[@manicheanwarrior8589]

My first pack was a WW2 GI pack on a Trapper Nelson frame that belonged to my uncle. Hiked Mt.Lafayette in New Hampshire, October 1953. Enjoy your videos. Thanks

[@TrailWright]

Wow, looks like that metal piece (running the length of the center) acts like a tension spring of sorts. Pressure from your back would compress the "spring" giving you some "give". Thanks for sharing...

[@apextroll]

+Bob Cotter It just tries to equally distribute the forces on the backpack. It looks to be a good idea to have.

[@rdmanone]

Dave awesome pack frame. I've got my old allis pack from the Marine Corps and with out the frame the pack it not comfortable at all. Ya got to have a good pack frame. Great video my friend.

[@TurtleBushcraft]

Very awesome great video looking forward to part 2 atb John

[@clayjones9907]

Dave,I am from Wyoming. Today 24 August 2023,Anyway possible to have those 2 Courses,back to back for People West of the Mississippi/ West of the Missouri ,could take those 2 Courses at once because Gas / Hotel/ Food Costs keep us from coming back there 2 years in a row. If we could knock those off in 8 days would save much time money.

[@richwallace4632]

Love the pack. Looks like it would be a good project. You might try building a steamer box to get the oak pliable . Check out Roy Underhill, he shows you how to steam wood in a traditional way. Or a pot of boiling water much like what you might do in the woods.

[@oldmanpatriot1490]

Except for not having padded shoulder straps, that looks more comfortable than most of the packs sold today. I would be very interested in trying it out to see if Im right.

[@kingpopaul]

With some modification, the wood frame could be used as a small sled to carry stuff in snowy terrain.

[@pup9et]

fyi. the insides of couches often use lightweight hardwood about the perfect size for what you'd need here. seen an old couch on the side of the road, roll it over and take the long pieces from underneath. Often they are bass wood, Balsa or poplar.

[@charleschristensen9309]

to cool ,thanks Dave,,,haven't seen one of those since,I was a kid ,that's awesome ,,,thanks again

[@imherenow6736]

love your videos dave . next video you should do is recreating that picnic table your on lol.

[@RobinK]

Simple yet versatile. I like it.

[@carlosvassel]

Hola David me gustan mucho sus videos, aprendo mucho

[@williamwoodward4054]

Bommer oldskool pack! I’d like to come visit with you guys & learn how to make it with you as well as your other woodcraft stuff. I want to come stay at camp & take these courses & bring my gf with me & teach her too. she’s kind of outdoorsy, but lacks a lot of these skills, & I could always use more skills so even I have a lot to learn.

[@cloudraker100]

ugh. Bad memories of that pack. Used it when I first was in scouts. Nearly made me give up on camping. Still, nice craftsmanship.

[@dwhunter8904]

The back off of a old school chair would be a perfect frame

[@19891411]

I have a one its says pioneer brand, Trapper nelson Indian pack board number 3 from Jones tent and awning, I did some research and found out that the Canadian army used these packs, the military issued ones i have has nylon and leather straps any that were made for the public would have been canvas, They are numbered depending on size, The guy i had got mine from was gifted his from his grandfather who was a Canadian Mountie they were also issued military styled packs.

[@KenGray]

Those metal rods look like they would be perfect at skewers.

[@shadowstalker130666]

Wow, watching this gives me ideas for modifications. Slightly larger eyelets and grommets in order to use thicker rods, with the ends set to use them either as a tripod for cooking, or set up with two uprights and a cross bar for cooking. Definately multifunction then. Add a good sturdy loop to the pack to suspend it off a tree with a simple cord and toggle in order to keep it off the ground since I never like my pack on the ground if I can help it due to dampness, also don't need to crouch to get things out then. I'd definately have longer straps, wider too to carry better, and more modern clips at the ends for easier removal. I'd also add a couple straps for compression, the simplest way would be some cord looped around the stays and adjusted using a simple sheepshank hitch to compress the load. Your video gave me a lot of great ideas Dave! Thanks!

[@theinfinitetradesman1563]

Dave, that is a sweet shirt! I have a 206 lb Hay Budden anvil and I love it. would you mind sharing where you got the shirt? thanks in advance.

[@unknownkrow24]

Good day dave I was wondering what are the measurements of the frame. Thanks

[@vickorano]

This is amazing and I need to take this class.

[@a_jim_so_dashing7664]

Great video! Thanks! And the dog at 4:45 ahahahaha

[@davidgray2641]

Dave I enjoyed this video very much and would love to learn how to make one. I as well bought a Trapper Nelson Pack on Ebay for $75 shipped it was missing one of the bars that hold the pack on that was an easy fix as far as the straps with your permission I would like to message you pictures of my solution. I understand how small they are seeing I'm 6'5" with a 65" chest so I'm not your average bear lol

[@Occupuyourspine]

I made one decades ago as I recall having a snug well fitting waist belt was important 🤠

[@brianspencer4220]

Happy Easter

[@paganoutdoors3193]

love the pack and the dog😆, cheers craig

[@BellefontePerson]

It looks like the metal bar is there to keep the laces elevated for some reason. Perhaps so they stay taut.

[@TheDjonSilver]

The old school model. Reminds binding rear, backpacks the Bundeswehr Alpine rangers or Swedish backpack LK 35.

[@raywalter3992]

never cease to amaze me!!!

[@ZzGHOSTzZ29]

Hey sorry this is off topic but I just wanted to grab your attention I just bought the tan pathfinder backpack I haven't got it yet I just wanted to ask if you can attach a bed roll to it fairly easy

[@rheidtech]

great stuff dave

[@michaelluft2732]

Where are you and your classes I an really into this

[@parlangaulegend6984]

Happy Easter dude.

[@beckyfenske1773]

Hello Dave. My old man Loves what you do. He is an expert survivalist. And You are the one He will listeb to. His nickname is Backwoods.

[@Lord_RavnFar_Tannerwise]

hey Dave when you go to make the pack itself could you find a way to incorporate a side panel axe sheath? kind of like the one on that Duluth pack you have.

[@a_jim_so_dashing7664]

Could the stays have been used as cooking skewers or something similar? Maybe that's why there are 3?

[@davidharvey5672]

The frame could be used in different ways to mount whatever on. This is going to be good.

[@tylerhamby2320]

How long does the boards need to be in the jig before they are dry?

[@jasoncaissie530]

Hey Dave, Happy Easter.. and another great video. I just sent you private message in regards to the Trapper Nelson pack that may help you out. Cheers..!!

[@johncorder2912]

could you discuss why this pack is worth recreating? what are some of it's features not found in a modern pack. I assume there are several versions the obvious.

[@oldtimerlee8820]

+John Corder Just 2-cents, FWIW. Self-reliance means not having to rely on modern concepts & materials. Modern packs usually rely on materials & fittings that did not exist prior to WWII. (Petroleum based items, for example.) Further knowing how to construct this type/style packpack, allows it to be produced from salvaged (scavenged) local materials. (both natural & man-made) DIY makes it easily customized to fit the individual's personal needs/desires in size, configuration, multi-function, as well as materials used. For example pack capacity can be varied to fit needs with multiple packs that fit the same basic frame. Again, just 2-cents.

[@TheGreasemonkey76]

I feel there may be a "Canterbury pack" version in the future with a 5gal pail attached to that frame..

[@garthchase3056]

I made my own backpack this winter I'm so proud of it I sold my bag and everything made the frame out of wood rather have that than some $350 backpack that everybody has to have for that image I'm more proud of something that I made them something that I can buy nice job I like it

[@Ironlakgrafff]

dude your dog looks stoked as hell at 4:45

[@melissaskinner7681]

Hey Dave I did not know you still made vids

[@Sephvion]

4:45 Top right. Best part of the video. ;P

[@Mystickneon]

I think Rufus is celebrating the new spring :)

[@39Thorns]

Those metal rods are meat cooking skewers! Two stuck into the ground, one for the meat!

[@jwrappuhn71]

simplicity is best, I'd gladly wear it.

[@TraditionalBlackPowder]

Cool pack.

[@17garm]

Still got mine.

[@CoamexHarp]

Awesome vid!

[@Producer3081973]

coolest backpack ever!!!

[@skillage18]

I would like to make myself a pack like this. But id need to find canvas or a similar material. Wood isnt a problem

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

look online. you can find canvas in many weights

[@skillage18]

matanuska high whats a good canvas ? Something durable!

[@rockyreynolds4027]

When will part 2 be out

[@tomritter493]

reminds me of a ww2 ammo pack frame

[@DenverLoveless]

Check out Ammonia bending for wood

[@smashallpots1428]

i dig this pack

[@clutchthegamer590]

were is this school at

[@williamcastaneda1551]

The reason the straps on the pack are short is because people were smaller in the 1920's-1930's so the straps would be the perfect size for them back then

[@thanson77]

Like a corset! That's how you keep that svelte waistline...

[@thanson77]

I notice some extra sewing on that flap. Any utility to that?

[@geohavener6601]

hay David try warm water for soaking them in..... that makes them really easy to work with ..

[@orangedude2993]

Your awesome

[@mortonmorton6083]

Use back of a dinning chair for frame

[@DW7887]

I think you should modernize the design - people are much taller (and wider) than 100 years ago. To have the same experience of carrying it around it needs to be adjusted in size.

[@ambertracks]

Rufus seems to be putting on some needed weight haha

[@bobbyharper8710]

Paw paw you don't need to say WWW no more.

[@TwistedIntentions79]

looks kinda like the back of a chair

[@Mast3rDan]

go Rufus

[@ZenHulk]

I love the obsession with people to build stuff from 150 yrs ago, and forget why we evolved out of it, because they sucked. Like the boy scout packs of the 70s and 80s, my friend saw one at a garage sale recently bought it and used it and damaged his back , hip and cut his finger trying to fix it on the trail, and were 40 yr hard core hikers. Survival nuts are the worse at this its like their brains stopped evolving around 1898 when my grand father was born, stupid, living like a rat under my chicken coop.

[@eduardonieto2355]

That is cool my friend.👍🇺🇸