Materials
and Construction
Why
cotton duck canvas?
Canvas
keeps on performing after years of use. There's no coating to
wear off. Abrasion resistance is high compared to synthetics;
it's natural fibers are more forgiving and pliable. If damaged,
it's easily repaired with needle and thread.
Please
note that cotton canvas is a natural product. Slight weaving
imperfections and color variations are part of it's character
and beauty.
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Will
the canvas color fade over time?
Of course!
This just adds to the character of the bag. Think of your favorite
pair of Levi's, Army surplus rucksack or Converse hi-tops. Truth
is, all dyed cotton canvas fades faster than synthetic fabrics,
especially the darker colors. If you don't care for that "lived
in" look, then canvas bags are probably not for you.
....................
I
can't decide which color to choose...can you give me some suggestions?
Since black
is...well, black, it will fade much faster than the tan.
Black will absorb the sun's rays and get hotter. Lint and dust
is more noticeable with the darker color. Also, items are harder
to find inside a dark bag.
That said,
both colors will complement most color schemes equally well,
with tan having more of a vintage vibe. It's your call.
Actual
fabric/leather color may vary slightly from what you see on
your computer screen. Also, minor color changes from bag to
bag are unavoidable due to dye lot differences.
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Aren't
leather straps and buckles old-fashioned?
Leather
has a long history. It's tactile, strong and forgiving. It'll
age gracefully, developing a nice patina. And If it's good enough
for Indiana Jones...
Admittedly,
Velcro and Fastex buckles are more efficient, and save a couple
extra seconds. However, Velco has a bad habit of sticking to
things it shouldn't, while plastic buckles tend to get brittle
over time.
....................
Are
Acorn Bags waterproof?
There's
two schools of thought: to use waxed or unwaxed canvas. A popular
British bag maker uses waxed canvas. A respected French and
Japanese bag maker uses unwaxed canvas.
We decided
to opt for the unwaxed duck canvas...but our bags are still
water resistant. Why? Natural canvas duck has fibers that swell
and self-seal when exposed to water. A moisture barrier is created,
but still allows the fabric to breathe. Waxed canvas bags will
still need to be "re-proofed" every few years and
you have to careful about mildew. We'll let you decide if and
when you want to "proof" your bag. (Carradice and
Nikwax make good cotton canvas re-proofers.)
A healthy
dose of skepticism is needed when listening to claims of 100%
waterproof bags. Often overlooked points of water entry include
zippers, gaps between flap pockets, mounting strap pass-through
holes and seams. Unless a floating waterproof liner is used,
it's almost impossible to avoid some water entering your bag
during a downpour. A good compromise is to keep a waterproof
stuff sack in your bag.
....................
Will
your bag unravel?
Canvas
tends to unravel if the edges are left raw. We take extra care
to finish all edges, inside and out, including hidden areas.
....................
Can
you customize a bag?
Well...yes
and no. If you would like us to add a small feature, such as
lengthening a strap, adding D-rings or sewing on a patch, we're
happy to oblige. However, we cannot easily change dimensions
of the bag, because that would require drawing up new patterns.
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Care
How
do I clean my Acorn Bag?
For canvas:
Gentle brushing is best for loose dirt. For a more thorough
cleaning, use a hand sponge with a mild natural soap (not detergent)
in lukewarm water. Rinse twice with clean water.
For leather:
A gentle leather cleaner/conditioner, like Lexol or Fiebing's,
is all that's needed. Saddle soap is also a good choice.
....................
Should
I put anything on the leather straps?
A protectant
is recommended. You might already have a tin of Brooks Proofhide;
Snoseal is an economical alternative. Neatsfoot oil is overkill,
since it will oversaturate and darken the leather. Take care
not to stain the canvas.
Copyright © 2008 Acorn Bags. All rights reserved.