Materials
and Construction
Why
cotton 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.
(We proudly use Martexin (est. 1838) "Original Wax" fabric impregnated with Martexin wax proprietary mixture.)
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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,
Fastex closures are more efficient and save a couple extra seconds.
However, plastic cracks and tends to get brittle over time.
Give "old-fashioned" leather straps and buckles a
chance...you'll be transported to a simpler, less harried time!
(We proudly use Wickett & Craig (est. 1867) vegetable-tanned leather from top-grade North American steer hides.)
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Are
Acorn Bags waterproof?
Natural canvas has fibers that swell
and self-seal when exposed to water. A moisture barrier is created,
but still allows the fabric to breathe. Additionally, our fabric is treated with Martinex "Original Wax" formula to ensure the highest water repellancy.
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.
Please note that under severe wet/muddy conditions, there will be some bleeding of the leather and staining of the light colored canvas. This is to be expected with natural materials. The durability won't be affected. If you require something 100% waterproof, mildew proof and cleanable, a synthetic bag like Ortlieb might be a wiser choice.
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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.
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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 for a minimal charge. However, we cannot easily
change dimensions of the bag, because that would require drawing
up new patterns.
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Color
Notes
Will
the canvas color fade over time?
Of course!
The black bag is going to eventually turn grey from the sun. Lighter colors will also fade, but it's less noticeable. 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.
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Do
you offer any other color choices?
We currently
offer Ranger Tan, Olive and Black waxed canvas with Honey leather.
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The
color is a little different than what I expected. What gives?
Fabric
and leather colors shown in the photos are a close representation
only. Actual colors may vary for many reasons:
