GOURD CANTEENS

[R.C.BINGAMAN]

Hello,All havent posted in a bit but now have a request, just finished my first gourd canteen. Bought the gourd at Ft. Frederick market faire and made the canteen.The hanger is made from elk and of a half bag if you will holder.As I have tried to post photos in the past with out any luck. Would it be possible to see photos of others that have made these, The one aspect that I enjoy is making most of my own gear both for trekking and hunting. Perhaps I can eventually figure out the photo thing. A APPALICHIAN HUNTER

 

[George]

I made a couple several years ago, didn't have a period reference, just did it. A large one is used in base camp, the smaller can be carried without too much trouble. I've used them quite a lot, they show no sign of damage. I did shrink a rawhide band around the neck of each to prevent cracking there, has worked so far. They haven't been lined with wax or anything, I like the sweet taste of water from a gourd.

First one is 1 quart, made the hanger of rawhide with jute rope spliced into it.

The second holds just shy of 1 gallon. Hanger is just jute rope tied into a sort of harness.

Hope these help.

Spence

 

[KJGROHS]

Ah!!!! Mr. Spence,thems nice canteens you have there,

 

[gmarc]

Spence:

Did you hollow out/clean the gourd interior in any way?

 

[BillinOregon]

Cleaning the gourd takes a lot of patience. I've tried the scrape and shake crushed gravel methods with poor results.
By the way, I recently visited the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, Texas, and there were several gourd canteens in the collection -- all of them the two-chambered birdhouse variety.

 

[George]

Spenceid you hollow out/clean the gourd interior in any way?

I dropped a cup of loose metal nuts in them and shook them for a long time.

Spence

 

[Macon Due]

Hi all
Would anyone have an idea where I might find a 'single chamber' gourd like Mr.Spence's top one to make a canteen from?
Thank you........Macon

 

[lonehunter]

Nice looking canteens! :thumbsup:

 

[Hammerhead]

macon due go to sheas mountain.com tell him hammerhead sent you he sells them already cleaned he sells them that are also beeswaxed inside and he sells just mixed cured gourds for 6 dollars hes a real nice man just tell him what you need he will hook you up. when you go to his website click on store on the right hand side andthen it will give prices and such

 

[Macon Due]

Thank you Sir.
Macon

 

[Hammerhead]

macon i just looked at the site im sorry i didnt know he was out of stock on the two cheapest ones. all he has left is the one with beeswax and a strap for 45 dollars