Wooden Canteens

Anyone use them? What type? Round? Keg? Just getting into the hobby, would like opinions.

Thanks!!

Look in the Craftsman section back around screen #10 a guy that goes by Bucks Co makes some nice ones :hatsoff:

I use a round "cheesebox" canteen.

The original water bottle.
Looking good.

Do you use beeswax or brewer's pitch?

I think you have posted that before (?)Looks real good!
I'm planning some jack ware canteens next mo.

I second Stumpkiller. I have a cheesebox canteen from Bill Payson and it is historically accurate for my purposes (and could be used for general buckskinning, too) and fairly priced to boot.

I made this one a few years ago,it works pretty good.

jbwilliams said:

I second Stumpkiller. I have a cheesebox canteen from Bill Payson and it is historically accurate for my purposes (and could be used for general buckskinning, too) and fairly priced to boot.

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Yep. Mine's a Bill Payson "Cartland Tavern" cheesebox canteen. I believe he uses brewer's pitch. Has never leaked and the taste is neutral. His prices have come up (what hasn't?) but still VERY worth the price.

I found one, just have to add the iron bands to it. Thanks for the replies!!!

Beeswax won't stay. If you're just going to put water in it, then the old soak-it-before-you-go-out rule is advisable.

On the other hand, I get the impression that putting rum in it is a better idea.

Beeswax won't stay. If you're just going to put water in it, then the old soak-it-before-you-go-out rule is advisable.

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Bingo. But, many (most?) were lined with pitch. Might be a good reason for that, but I dunno wat. :idunno:

If you line any canteen with brewer's pitch, be prepared to taste that pitch every time you use it.

Storing it empty with the cork out helps diminish the taste and I'd recommend filling it up and pouring it out before filling it up to carry with you. At least that way it's not too bad. I really don't like that taste but I put up with it. Beats going thirsty.

Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup:
Dan

I had a stave canteen once that I stored filled as per the usual advise. It leaked regularly and required regular maintenance. When Bill Payson sent me the cheesebox canteen, he advised that it be stored empty. Also, it’s lined with beeswax. Both of those are against the conventional wisdom. It hasn’t leaked once in the three or four years I’ve had it. However, I think without the wax it’s already sealed well ”“ I doubt the beeswax is necessarily the factor keeping it leak free. Interesting that he advises against storing them filled and he's been making them for a while.

Got 2, metal banded, picked them up at events, Dixie Gun Works sells them I think also for about 36.00 bucks, no leak, no bad after taste, not to me anyway.

Greg Geiger said:

Beeswax won't stay.

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What evidence do you have to support this?

Seems that beeswax, being far more flexible than pitch, would work better. Most especially if you use it before any liquid goes into the canteen. As the wood swells with water, multiple soak/dry cycles would end up crushing the wood fibers, ultimately resulting in a constantly leaky canteen (which is why you shouldn't soak an axe handle in water to tighten it).

Looking for information...

My experience with the cheese box canteen has been the same. No leaks in at least 3 years of use, and I store it empty.

Just always used food safe paraffin wax, it works for me, anyone else use it to seal a canteen?

I used paraffin wax to seal a gourd canteen I carried for a few years (and is still used on occasion) - No issues. My "go-to" now is beeswax for gourds and jackware.