Waxing An Old Military Backpack - Waterproof and Durable!

In this video we refurbish an old East German military backpack into something worthy of more trips to the woods. We use a Norwegian canvas wax recipe to give this canvas pack a new bushcraft look and a new life.
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[@alanjackson4646]

I live in U.K. and have a wax jacket made by the famous Barbour company; I wax that every couple of years but as the material is impregnated with wax before manufacture it only requires a surface coat with a soft wax to rejuvenate it. Glad to see Linda mobile. Regards AJ

[@Tony-um2el]

I remember doing the seems on the Boy Scout tents with same method. Never had seem leaks after that.

[@ashpunting]

It's really good to see Linda back on her feet ❤

[@badgerpa9]

My Grandmother taught me how to wax my overcoat when I was a kid, I was warm and dry no matter if riding horse, snowmobiling, or what ever the weather was it was a great old coat. I am sure it looked pretty ugly to others but I was warm and dry. Awesome to see Linda up and moving around. Hope you guys and family stay safe and healthy.

[@gonagain]

Your Grandma was one smart person. This video was made just shortly before Linda broke her ankle.

[@scotschmidt6683]

Now that shows that a lot of our stuff can have a new life other than the trash pile. That looks great.

[@beach3girl459]

Reminds me of the waxed jackets used in Europe.

[@Grumpyneanderthal]

Great project Linda and Rick!! I bought a 10 lb block of beeswax from a local man who sells honey a large scale years ago and still have a lot left. So many uses for it. I mix it with mineral oil for food safe wood polish which we use on our old growth cypress table which serves as a work table/ island in our kitchen. Glad to see Linda up and about. She always adds something special to each video in which she appears. She’s right Old Ways are often superior to new ways. Those old ways take initiative, which seems to have been replaced with quick convenience as of late.

[@gonagain]

We also make skin suave with the beeswax and various oils that comes in handy. The beeswax seals the skin and holds the moisture in.

[@FirstSuiGeneris]

I remember my grandmother would do this for my grandfather's work pants and work boots and then have them in front of the fireplace! I forgot that until now. Thanks for the memories!

[@anitabedella9708]

Great technique Linda! Nice to see you up and about, good for you! You two sure have priceless knowledge you're sharing with us, thank you! I'm a newbie here and have been watching A LOT of your vlogs lately. Getting ready to go on the road in the spring and you've both given me knowledge which in turn has helped with the confidence level. I really like how you adhere to being as self sufficient as possible when traveling and encounter problems. You get our minds from "omg what am I going to do now" panic mode, to "now let me think how I can possibly do this myself". You two are second to none! Thanks and safe travels.

[@gonagain]

Hello Anita, it's good to see that you GET it and understand the message of our videos. Thank you!

[@imabchbm1966]

i agree with u I love smart people lol

[@gregorygideon8246]

I love the old ways of doing things such as using beeswax and paraffin. Takes me back to my scouting days. Thanks for another great video and it’s good to see Linda up and about. Those old canvas backpacks were heavy but sturdy. See ya around!

[@wrbruce6100]

Linda done one fine job on that pack. Glad to see her back on her feet. That pack could set in the rain all day long and it would keep everything dry. You two take care

[@tagladyify]

Looks really nice.

[@garywells3874]

The beauty of old canvas packs is they won't melt if they get too close to a campfire like some nylon packs. Nice job Linda and it looks like you are getting around better.

[@tagladyify]

Yup. Old ways were better. I like them.

[@ChuckisOutside]

Good job Linda. It really looks good.

[@billwilliamson9842]

I followed this Norwegian bee soup recipe to the letter and I gotta say, it left a funny after taste in my mouth lol Great video, never seen this done before and will add it to my repertoire of things to use to spruce up old stuff. Glad to see you up and about Linda, cmon springtime!

[@jimb5113]

Good to see another item saved from the recycle bin.

[@garyhall2126]

Nice to see Linda up and moving around! Thanks for sharing. Really enjoy your style.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

I love those maps you have!!! Nice pack

[@gonagain]

Hi Shoestring! Those were the old school charts from our sailing days.

[@galardmills5306]

Your new intro is fun! You two kids in front of your bus are cute! Starts your videos with a smile!

[@Monku123]

Looks great! I use the same technique on my hunting boots.

[@teresaf5480]

Great job Linda, Pretty cool idea I will have to try it. I tell ya they sure knew what they were doing back in the day..Thanks for sharing big 2 👍👍

[@gonagain]

Thanks for watching! ~Linda

[@glenschumannGlensWorkshop]

Thanks. It is good to keep the old stuff around. Also true of us humans. LOL.

[@gonagain]

You got that right! Thanks, Glen.

[@dukesworld3020]

Been a while since I've seen anyone do that. I have an old outback overcoat that I do the same thing to every so often. Good job.

[@miask]

So happy to see you up and around Linda! You did a wonderful job on the rucksack; would you be interested in waxing my old waxed canvas jacket? 😉

[@checkingoutgypsymike2075]

Another method for waterproofing is to mix some silicone caulk with odorless mineral spirits/paint thinner, you can get the silicone in a liquid state then brush it on. The thinner will evaporate and you'll be left with a waterproof material.

[@KRT045]

I just saw a video using this process but instead of mineral spirits he used naphtha and waterproofed an old bed sheet to use as a tarp. It worked really well!

[@gonagain]

I hadn't heard of that, thanks for sharing!

[@jwagnermail]

This is the video where the guy used silicone on sheets - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJC1YZp7eb-bd6s

[@thelwell256]

Saw this and will be using mineral spirits as well. This would be good for smaller projects.

[@ChasingEntities]

Nice! Much better than spraying chemicals. I’m thinking old hiking boots, my canvas hat…. You’ve gotten my noodle fired up this morning lol 😁❤️

[@seymourrivers6169]

Thank you for your video of Waxing an old canvas backpack. Nice pack!

[@cmtangoe9569]

They are so cute together! Very helpful for my motorcycle bags- thank you!

[@karenharker2356]

I think it looks unique, like it’s been purposely weathered, very cool!

[@aztrails1]

Interesting video. Nice job Linda. Thanks

[@gonagain]

Thanks for watching, Jeff!

[@imabchbm1966]

u guys r awesome. I think its great doing this waxing very very cool!!! Love the backpack i have an old 1 too and as long as all the zippers keep working i will continue to use it. I even have put my miniature lil dachshund in it he loves it 2! lol. Looks like linda's ankle is doing better.

[@gonagain]

Thanks, Nisa. I did this just before I had my accident. Right now I'm babying that ankle and hoping to heal quickly.

[@ashpunting]

I bought a waxed barbour jacket and purchased a tin of wax to go with it but I've never thought of making my own wax so thank you for showing me how 🤔

[@RutherfordTony]

Great job Linda. Thank you for showing us how it's done..I bet that renewed the back pack for several more years. Safe travels to you both.

[@donteatthefoxgloves377]

I like how it stiffened the fabric to make the pack stand up. I’m going to try this on mine and see if it makes it easier to use because I don’t like it when it’s all limp and falling into itself! Never knew I could do this, thanks Linda! 🌿🌿🌿

[@gonagain]

The canvas softened up a bit after awhile but not as soft as without the treatment. Now I want to find a smaller size pack for me and do that! ~~Linda

[@WEHenry]

using it will really break it in just fine, yall take and be safe👍🤠🌴🇺🇸

[@landaarthur2536]

I really enjoy your videos and I'm glad Linda is up and around.

[@gonagain]

Hello Landa, this video was made just before Linda had her accident.

[@paulwhite9848]

Good job Linda I love refurbishing or maintaining my stuff instead of the buy a new one ideology

[@betsypower7850]

🌿LINDA you are wonderful . I really enjoy it when you are in the video 🤗. I agree with what you said about doing things “the old ways”. Thank you Rick for always sharing information and thank both of you for the good info and the good times 😃

[@fudd6478]

Very cool... I love it when I learn things I knew nothing about! Thanks Guys.... :-)

[@StepvanDan]

Great job waxing that pack Linda good to see you walking a bit again slow and steady right, thank you for sharing Big hugs to you both

[@catpurrson3651]

I haven't seen that done before. I have an old Arny pack to try it on. Thanks, usefua as usual!

[@sasquatch885]

We use to do that to our boots when I was a Boy Scout. That was more than a few years ago too.😉

[@gonagain]

The days before Goretex, I remember that.

[@gringo3009]

Very cool! Looks like my favorite pack, a Frost River Cliff Jacobson pack.

[@gonagain]

Those are nice packs!

[@MTwoodsrunner]

German military rucksack...i have owned a couple in the past, one in canvas and one in Cordura nylon, great packs!...Gifted one to my son back in Maine...He tells me its his favorite! I really like your shoulder strap mod...nice job Linda!...Bears love Beeswax too!...LOL...Dave

[@gonagain]

Oh, hadn't thought about the bear factor!!!!! Thanks, Dave.

[@Danny.Spurling]

I love Ms. Linda's stove!, In our area they seem to only sell the glass top type. I don't like them because they are so hard to keep clean, good job Ms. linda, we really enjoy all your videos!,..... Danny in Alabama

[@gonagain]

That stove is an oldie but a goodie.

[@murrayandru7527]

Thanks for Sharing U 2 , take care , heal up and get back out there .

[@gonagain]

Thank you, we will!

[@timhawkins2502]

Watching your thro back photo's I'm glad to see Linda hasn't aged all, but you!!! lol - and no I won't share any of my photos (71yrs.) Really enjoyed this video but until now was afraid to try.

[@gonagain]

Yeah, Linda stayed beautiful!

[@cynthia-ray]

Now I'm looking around the house for things to hot wax...lol

[@denisekyle6603]

Neat video! Thanks guys! Hopefully Linda is healing up 🥰

[@gonagain]

Thanks Denise, she's doing really well, but has a few more weeks in the cast to go yet.

[@jodyseaman1885]

What a good idea, wonder if you could make a pair of waterproof gaters out of a old pair of denim jeans. Cut the Legs off above the knee coat with wax and put a few grommets in and tie. Thanks Linda you do good work.

[@gonagain]

Hello Jody, that would absolutely work!

[@wandacraig8286]

Love that back pack and really love it waxed! About six months ago I started waxing my canvas bags and just love doing it. And great stagging shot for the pack at the end! Neat and useful and an item you can pass down to your girls someday.☺️

[@davefrysinger8445]

Great knowledge again. Thank you two. Good to see your alot better Linda. Get my alum. cargo trailer in two days, can't wait to use some of the things you showed us on it. Thank you. Take care of each other.

[@gonagain]

Hello Dave, have fun with your new trailer.

[@tetsubin64]

I was looking into doing just this thing, a week or so ago. Great timing. Thanks for the lesson.

[@vincenzodemarco7983]

Kinda Kool, hot wax & honey. Reminds me of a British motorcycle jacket I had, similar to the Aussie out-back fabrics for the outdoors, BUT, wearing that jacket in the warmer temps with 100% humidity of NYC, the mixture started to melt and drip All over me, the floor and anything I came into contact with. Anyway, this is Still a solid method for waterproofing. Funny Linda, you volunteered because you were 'Told to do It'. ok, I remembered something that might help your vertigo. A lady friend/business partner came down with a Super bad case & couldn't walk, drive, Stand Up, only Crawl on the floor. Real Bad. So after maybe a dozen doctors, one old master gave 'Diazepam' to Relax the tiny muscles in the inner ear (where our equilibrium comes from) and Wa'La FIXED. Just a Thought, bc taking Valium for breakfast might Not work, but it could??? Oh, a small package should arrive at your p.o. today or tomorrow at the latest. I will check the tracking number in a minute. Take care and get better soon. God Bless.🤗

[@gonagain]

Thanks for sharing, Vincenzo. I'm not that bad with my equilibrium, it's just that I lose my balance riding bikes and get seasick. But that tip of diazepam is something to keep in mind. Aloha ~Linda (and thank you for the incoming pkg)

[@1954shadow]

Absolutely beautiful, after that wax job, good for many more years.

[@toddcastaldi6536]

Awesome, thank you!!! I have a couple canvas bags I just bought and love them, but I want to waterproof them too. This was great, appreciate the help!

[@gonagain]

Thank you for watching! 🤙

[@terririggle6106]

Really cool video! Way to go, Linda!

[@gonagain]

Glad you liked it!! Thanks, Terri! Aloha ~Linda

[@MaMaSmo123]

Always great tips 👍🏻 Linda….Hope your healing & feeling better! God was certainly beside you so it wasn’t worse… worse enough right? God Bless & take care! ❤️‍🩹 ❤️‍🩹❤️much love your way!!

[@gonagain]

Thank you.

[@BillSprague]

Cool video! It reminds me of my old Filson hunting jacket coating. It lasted for lots of years.

[@gonagain]

Those are very nice jackets!

[@BillSprague]

@@gonagain It was my Dad’s, mine, and now it’s my younger son’s. It’s probably near 80 years old now. The wax makes it easier to wash out the game pocket. 😉

[@wrxs1781]

Good work Linda, that was a very helpful video, the heat gun is the charm for getting the wax into the fibers. German military surplus has to be the best made long lasting kit.

[@jjm5714]

In your new introduction with flashback pictures from the olden days... I noticed the Volkswagen van and it looked like an older Buick with the old Chrome steel factory mags?

[@gonagain]

Hello Joseph, that would have been our friend's car. Be nice to have that now!

[@frankg8178]

How cool is that

[@doingitwithnothing]

I learned something thanks

[@Steve-Goff]

“Linda said she would help me” must mean Rick gets out of the way. LOL. I agree the old ways are often the best ways. Have you ever tried that technique on tennis shoes?

[@gonagain]

I haven't, but it should work because it still breathes.

[@cynthiadickey3055]

Good job LINDA , thanks for helping . I would try this on mine u really need REAL waterproof bags to traval.

[@gonagain]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks, Cynthia. ~Linda

[@cynthiadickey3055]

@@gonagain hope ur doing well Linda

[@cjwyman]

Very cool! Thanks for the information!

[@gonagain]

You bet!

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Great tip guys. I love old military surplus backpacks and things, they make great camping/hiking/traveling gear.

[@gonagain]

I'm back to using this one daily again.

[@scenicdriveways6708]

@@gonagain I remember when you could get good military surplus gear at a great price. Not so anymore. The Billings Army Navy store in Billings, MT was expensive.

[@peterpowell6168]

very cool ! didn't know you could do that! I grew up in New England and we use to say ," mind your own beeswax!" = mind your own business 🤓

[@gonagain]

I remember that saying, I wonder where it came from?

[@peterpowell6168]

Hi Rick and Linda, i googled saying ,it said in colonial times while making candles the ladies would talk and if it was gossiping? they would say mind your own beeswax! sounded logical, any who ! happy trails!

[@gonagain]

Thanks for that, Peter and it makes perfect sense too.

[@lauratibbles6598]

Well thank you I learned something today ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🌈🌈🌈

[@billcade3325]

Good video thank you for the good to know

[@johntoothman4888]

Pretty cool!! Thanks!!

[@carlburns4343]

Thank you, Really Cool.

[@bobcole3852]

Nice job! Don't forget the leather treatment

[@gonagain]

Yep. For now I just soaked the same treatment in and it worked for that too.

[@thetruthpost9693]

Did you wear that backpack to Woodstock? :)

[@tm8747]

i use MINK oil , on a rag and rub into the bag. the wax you use will in time break off and loosen away from the bag. MINK oil applied 1 time, let dry 24 hrs, and then apply a second coat and your done.

[@gonagain]

Mink oil would be good too. On wax treated canvas you can leave it in the sun for a little while and the coating soaks back in.

[@jodyandmichelle1]

Beautiful pack. I would love to find something like that to purchase.

[@gonagain]

You can find them on Ebay as "German Military Backpack". Here's one: www.ebay.com/itm/125124856546?hash=item1d2205cae2:g:B68AAOSwn~th9ej5

[@nancyst.john-smith3891]

Old ways are good ways.

[@millerlisa1]

QUESTION: Linda, would this work for leather wellington boots?

[@gonagain]

It has been used on leather before but I would instead use a mixture of beeswax and mineral oil.

[@millerlisa1]

@@gonagain 😊

[@RVingwithG]

Good Save

[@peterpowell6168]

ps looks like a labor of love 👍

[@mickeylessley1684]

Kool idea. Has anyone tried doing denim jeans? Curious how that would work.

[@gonagain]

The loggers make what's known as "Steel Pants" that are sealed like this.

[@mickeylessley1684]

I didn't know that. Thanks.

[@jimv.661]

Fine video. I like the change-up. Reminds me of my attempt at waterproofing. I have an old tan Filson Crusher hat that was getting pretty gross with stains. Past the seasoned woodsman look. Anyway, I scrubbed with a little Naphtha soap and the sweat stains disappeared. Along with the waterproofing and medium tan color. Not bad looking, but whitish-tan with no waterproofing. I couldn't find my tin of Filson treatment that a friend gave me, so I did what every old woodsman does. Checked KZbin. Found a formula that was to duplicate Filson's Tin Cloth Recipe. Toilet ring, mineral spirits, linseed oil. After a hanging a week to let the chemicals dissipate, you use the heat gun to make sure all is soaked in and even. I might have put it on a little heavy as it took close to a month to dry. So, using the heat gun I started to "even it out". Everything was sort of evening out when I noticed that the leather decorative band was doing the opposite and curling. A little too hot. Well, the hat has been stiff as a board and graced with a plastic look ever since. I tried the "crinkle" trick that Linda is so fond of. It is now stiff with a crinkled plastic look. But on the positive side, the color is darker.

[@gonagain]

Yes, but are you wearing it? A good hat is worth saving.

[@jimv.661]

Yes, I do. But not to someplace nice like Walmart.

[@TheGbortnick]

Wonder how this would work for waterproofing your clam tent?

[@gonagain]

I suppose it would work if you could do it. We've already applied waterproofing (not waxing) to the seams and never had a problem with leaks.

[@oldpelon]

Cool 👍

[@dougdekuiper3194]

Did you wax the bottom too or use a leather product?

[@gonagain]

Hello Doug, you can, and it would be just fine because it doesn't attract dirt at all.

[@kacodemonio]

It is west german (Bundeswehr) not east german. Newer models have plastic buckles. You can sometimes find a label with NATO stock number inside.

[@gonagain]

Thanks for the info!

[@milesbliss3256]

Bike ride yes . Fill it with dough nuts 🤣🇺🇸

[@gonagain]

Need a bigger basket. I like how you think, Miles.

[@socomsmith3241]

😃👍

[@NarleyAdventures]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@r.erkenbrand970]

Its not East-German Backpack. Its a old West-German Alpine Rucksack (Gebirgsjägerrucksack). Greetings from Germany. ✌