I saw a leather canteen at an event and wanted to make one myself, but, the owner had purchased it and had no idea how to make it.

if any one knows how I would appreciate the advice, Thanks

Welcome Dave,

Perhaps you can share what shape you're talking about, and how much volume? Some leather canteens are actually leather over a glass bottle. Others are shaped like bottles of various types, as they use a bottle as the basis. A third type is just sewn with all but the base, and then soaked in water, and then stuffed with wet play sand to force it into the largest possible volume. It is allowed to dry, and the dry sand is knocked out. Then it is completed by sewing on the bottom. All types are pitched or bees-waxed to make them water tight.

Glass covered with leather is neat, but you have to worry about breaking the glass insert, AND you have a heavy item even when empty.

LD

The canteen I saw was round, all leather, not glass lined. It was hard on the surface, with a cork stopper. It held about a quart or so judging by its size. The owner did say he believed it was lined with bees wax.

Leather canteens are really not hard to make. Draw a bottle shape on a piece of leather and cut out two of them. Wet the leather and sew them together. Fill it with sand until dry to shape it. Knock out all the sand. If you drop in some bird shot and shake it it will get all the sand lose. Then line it with a mix of bees wax and brewers pitch that you can get from jas townsend's. That's all there is to it. I made one for myself and it works great with no leaks.

Why not put the bees wax on the leather BEFORE you sew it together then all you would have to do it touch it up!!!!!!!Like putting glue on wood,preemptive!!

The sand would inbed in the bees wax and your water or whatever would have sand in it when you take a drink.

When I worked leather along time ago,I read where you take leather,soak it in hot water stretch it over a wooden form let it dry,make the two halve to fit eachother.coat the inside with wax,sew two halves together seal the seam and your golden.Had a Spanish Bota bought in Barcelona,soft and sealed with pitch,worked well just do not leave it in the sun caused everything in it to taste different.

Walking Crow,
In Al Stohlman's book, "The Art of Making Leather Cases (volume one)," he talks a lot about using forms to shape the leather. That's the way I'd do it...form the halves and sew them together. There would be no need for sand or lead shot. If the inside was wax coated, I think just a little heating would melt some of the inside wax to seal the seam.

Works for me and sounds easiest.

By the way Walking Crow, since this Al Stohlman book was written in '79 it may be the one from which you were working "years ago."

Sparks

sparks, right you are started leather working around 1973 got lots of Al Stohlman and the like, also have a big book Leather Secrets by F.O. Baird,died in 1971,just slam full of good info mostly full size patterns and the like.Havnt used them for years,leather got expensive and I went from Shore Duty back to Sea Duty,Uncle Sugar wanted me to see the world.
It was the easiest way I see to make a formed leather carrier of any kind,however what ever work do it is my motto.Right now it's raining/snowing/blowing out so I am working on another horn.
D

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Walking Crow,

Thanks for all the great info guys. One more question, do you recommend using a welt in the seam, or does it not matter?

no welts, welt = more surface area you will need to seal..