Hey Adam, I too am a lover of bags. It started in the late 80's when I got my hands on a US military surplus demolition pouch. Just big enough to fit a couple D&D books in plus some writing materials. Damn I miss that bag.. So currently I'm sourcing a leg pouch because being in a wheelchair makes getting into your pockets a pain. I'm currently looking at MOLLE style leg pouches to hold my wallet, flashlight etc on the top of one leg.
When. I was a teenager a friend described my obsession with packs, military load bearing equipment, other parctical luggage and the like as "the hobby of collecting, packing and unpacking little bags". I feel it is safe for me to say "I get you Adam". I don't really have the space but I'd love to get an industrial sewing machine, a roll of cordura or 3, a pile of hardware and start making bags and backpacks for fun and maybe profit,
Hey Adam, Your Swiss bag is actually also a map bag and not for medical supplies. The form factor matches standardized swiss maps, the velcro-compartement is for pencils etc. and the small extra pouch is for the compass. This model was produced for most of the 20th century and because of that is a very common sight in thrift shops overe here in Switzerland. You might also like the old Swiss army bread bags ("Brotsack") made from leather and very sturdy canvas.
The rectangular pocket on the right hand side of the brown German map case is for a Deckungwinkelmesser, a small hand held optic tool used to help calculate distances and heights for indirect (or volley fire) fire from machine guns, artillery and mortars. The little slot cut in the pocket was for a leather strap that was used to help pull the tool out (missing on Adam's map case).
This reminds me SO much of the bags by Galen Leather in Turkey. The matriarch of the company, who sadly passed away only a few years ago, was always interested in these sorts of bags. She used one example of a Swiss medic bag to inspire and design what they call the Writer's Medic Bag. I purchased one from them when we were living in Austin. I loaded it with watercolor supplies and toted that thing all over Big Bend, Marfa, and the many trails of the Texas Hill Country. It's held up beautifully. I love the story behind it and the legacy of this mother and wife who designed it. Not affiliated with Galen Leather in any way. Just a loving admirer of their work who enjoys sharing stuff like this. Thanks for the wonderful post! Off to shop for some EDCs!
Alright, hear me out Tested crew : You now have a duty to humankind to keep producing videos of Adam geeking out about "common" things of every day life. His puppy-like levels of excitement when he's talking about them is what the world needs. This is now your mission. You do not have a choice. DO IT !!!! WE WANT MORE GIDDY ADAM CONTENT !!!
@@mbmurphy777that’s a British Gasmask bag, which strangely hadn’t yet been designed yet when the first Indy films had taken place. When a new stockpile of surplus is found, prices drop, so keep an eye out and be patient. My brother and best friend both have one in unused unissued condition.
For many years I carried and old US army explosives satchel, Vietnam era, that I picked up somewhere. One time while grocery shopping an older, wheelchair bound, veteran stopped me and said he carried that exact bag in Vietnam. He said, if you open the flap there is a larger pocket on the right and a few smaller pockets for carrying detonators (or something). He was dead on, same pockets and everything. I immediately took my stuff out of my bag and gifted it to him. He was so excited. It was a super cool interaction with a cool old guy.
The Swiss „medical bag“ is actually a standard map bag of a Swiss corporal. The medical bag of the Swiss Army is slightly bigger and the front can be flipped open too. The medical bag has compartments for all the stuff. Fun fact: it included a foldable lantern with a wax candle. I carried both during my service in the Swiss Army and afterwards I kept it for many years as first-aid kit in my car and used the map bag as edc bag too.
I still have my Swiss Map bag, sans leather strap, which I was issued in the late 80ies. Have never seen that medical bag, sounds like I would be great for EDC!
I have a vintage leather military bag (Czech or Swiss officer’s bag, I was told) that is now my plein air sketch/watercolor bag. It’s smallish and has a vertical orientation, which is well suited to my supplies and just hangs better, in my opinion, than a horizontal bag. The best thing about it is that the leather creaks like an old saddle. I just love that sound.
I have ADHD and Autism, and I also have a fascination with bags (among other things). The only difference is I have always been somewhat embarrassed by it thinking it reflects my cognitive impairment, so I love how Adam celebrates his idiosyncrasy rather than apologise for it - I should learn from this! 🙂
Everybody has interests and obsessions, regardless of your neurodivergencies or lack thereof. If neurotypical people can love things like stock cars driving an oval track for 5 hours and all the intricacies of it, I don't see how appreciating nice bags or carriers is far off :)
There's a book called 'hunters In a farmers world' if I'm remembering correctly. The book talks a lot about the theories that things like ADHD exist in humans because it benefited our early societies If you read the book you might see it more as a specialized brain instead of an impaired one
mate, its just some people take a lot of pleasure in things that others dont see the craftsmanship, design specifics to exactly fulfill the role or just how fricking cool something is- welcome to the club :P
Absolutely love your honest and unfiltered enthusiasm! It never fails to bring a smile and a laugh. I’ve been looking for that Russian bag myself after i saw it in HBO’s "Chernobyl". I love leather bags and i am currently rocking a 4 year old Indiana satchel from Saddleback Leather goods. They are built so solid that it is just now after 4 years of use that the good patina is starting to show.
I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it a thousand more... Adam is the Fred Rogers of making. Every time his face shows up on screen, my day is instantly better, and I always learn something new.
I really connected with this video. I have a military map bag from Czechoslovakia and as a leather worker have I been trying to add the awesome elements of this bag to my own projects ever since I found it. It is unfortunately made of vinyl but has a similar construction to your Russian version but with only one horizontal fold out and side pockets. Military designs are always great inspiration as they are always function first.
Hi, the "Swiss medical bag" is in fact a sabretache or Säbeltasche in german. In the former military gear ordonnance (officially valid through 1990, but that was only slowly implemented over a few years after that date), NCOs would be equipped with that part - so was I in 1996. Its dimensions were ideal to keep maps. Yours is pretty broken in, but in their new state they are totally stiff, with the leather being easily 2 to 3 mm thick. Not only the year it was manufactured is stamped by means of a cutter, but also the name of the saddler who made it (the MoD would typically split such contracts to a lot of contractors throughout the country). The little bag on the strap was to hold the compass, they were made by the still existing RECTA factory ; these compasses are among the most clever, no nonsense that you could find. Also, notice the bottom strap with which you can hitch the bag to your belt in your back (or to anything that would do), in order not to be impeded when leaning forward, cycling etc...
Yes! My time to shine. Adam if you want more bags you have to look at Swiss ammo bags. The Swiss army at one point had these beautiful canvas and leather bags to store their ammo. They are about the size of a US ammo can but canvas top with leather bottoms. Once you find those the Swiss also had a large canvas backpack which is leather bottomed and a beautiful green grey colored canvas. The backpack was a system for smaller bags and blanket rolls. So you should look at their bread bags for that backpack. There are 2 versions of the bread bag one in canvas and the other in a cheaper plastic/leather material. Obviously the canvas one is the one to have.
This is so relatable. I have long-obsessed over the beautiful military bags I kept seeing in movies and television, much like that map bag you talked about. And now there are so many similar styles of bags available, and for functional purposes I love using an over-the-shoulder, canvas, messenger-style bag for taking my dogs out.
Scott Christian Sava uses a vintage medical bag as his watercolor & sketching kit when he's outside. He's made a couple videos on it. Beautiful bag. He's also an awesome artist!
I have probably over a hundred bags, including dozens of Maxpeditions, various Saddlebacks and Mountainbacks, and no end of cheapies. The standout for me is the Domke F-802. I've removed the stiffener bar and given it a wash to make it less boxy, but now it is the perfect man bag. A few pockets for organisation, big main space, single clasp, grab handle, and a nice grippy strap without jangly hardware. Big pocket on rear to quickly dump anything out of your hands, and even a laptop and/or document pocket. Thick canvas and minimal padding protects contents without adding bulk. Summer, winter, smart or casual, it's a chameleon.
You've looked at the military map cases and the medical kit bag. You should definitely check out old school military "bread bags", which were the modern evolution of the historical "haversack" in which soldiers would carry a couple of days' worth of rations. I have an old Swiss army version that has a very cool combination of canvas, saddle leather, and vinyl. I also have an old German version in canvas that I adapted to fit on the waist belt of my backpack, where it serves as a first-order-retrievability repository for all the little things that could get lost in the big bag and that you don't want to have to unlimber your pack to go digging for (bug dope, compass, snacks, etc).
I watched my first video of yours today and I found it very inspiring, very interesting and I think you did brilliantly. I have a 29 yr old son with Autism who lives with me and with you talking and being yourself made me feel good and it made me feel that everything is going to be alright. I think if I got tested or went into learning about myself more I would fall on the ASD spectrum. When you were explaining the grocery store sinario , it made me smile because that's what I do. I find it hard to get words out and no what to say next, the anxiety etc etc. Like mother like son. .. thank you
Never stop making those Savage Industries bags! I've had my eye on the medium duffle white with that sail material and orange velcro. SO NICE! I'm making my own traveler writing bag to keep all my pens and inks in.
I really want to pull the trigger on one. Hey Tested team: any plans for a sling bag? More specifically one big enough to hold a 13" laptop or iPad Pro?!
This brought back my memory of my first ever ebay purchase was a crossbody bag I saw a girl with at school, got obsessed, and my first etsy purchase was a vintage military bag that had been upcycled with some vintage mod fabric. God I love bags. Or "containers" as Adam said, is definitely one of my loves.
Been watching following you on social media since the very first Mythbuster episode and want to say Thank you very much for constantly taking us along on your adventures through life ,it's been incredible. Really love your bag designs and practically for real life and maybe 1 day I will be able to actually own 1. Everyone keep yourselves and love ones safe and healthy and remember to SMILE 😊
Adam, the streetwear potential of Savage Industries is off the charts, at least judging by the success of EDC 3. You should really come out with some coveralls or EDC pants made from upcycled material. I'd love to get an Expanse cosplay on with some coveralls with a huge Savage Industries patch on the back
I have the same obsession with bags - less for aesthetics, more for finding the 'perfect bag.' You know the deal - you have X many things to carry, you get a bag, and it's perfect. Only then you get a new thing or swap out for another thing and it's no longer perfect. So you get a new bag and then that one is perfect, only you realise it won't hold space for extra things as you need. Another bag arrives and it's perfect, but too large for your smaller go-to collection. Next thing you know, you have 10 bags that you swap out depending on your configuration for the day.
Hi Adam. I bought one of the vintage cartography bags while I was in the middle of this video, and it's been my daily driver ever since. I'm an elementary school teacher, and it's been a literally perfect solution for the various things I need to have on hand around the school! Thank you so much!
I appreciate your enthusiasm as a fellow bagman. Feels like we need a one day build where you fabricate one to your specs, I've done it, it's life affirming.
Fantastic to see a fellow bag enthusiast; I got my first map bag in highschool and have been making and buying some funky styles over time; I made a peacock fanny pack, electrically heated instrument bags (for 15 woodwind instruments) and recently bought a recycled rubber belt bag that clips around your thigh (handmade by a group of rastafarians in Turin). On the wishlist is a bike/backpack hybrid and a specialised toolbelt for both mechanical as well as textile tools. You might like the Freitag bags from Switzerland, which are made out of recycled truck tarp, seat belts and bicycle tubes. For me, the ultimate 'hand' bag holds all essentials without requiring my attention, such as holding it, keeping it on my shoulder or otherwise. "The bag as a garment", let's say.
Hi Adam, I've been a huge fan of your work at Tested and love following your builds and your enthusiasm about discovering and learning new crafts. I've been enjoying leatherwork myself and bag restoration and was overblown when I saw your latest bag video as I've been restoring these bags for years now!!! :D I've been obsessing over the Swiss bag you showed in the vignette and if you're curious I was able to get my hands on a scan of some of the original plans for it and have gone ahead and made a few templates and build videos of them. I would be honored to send these over to you by email as I love sharing this passion, and sharing it with you also would be amazing to me personally. Anyhow, thank you so much for your lifelong work and (again) for the passion you share in making everything and especially anything!
Galen Leather makes a lovely modern version of the leather medical bag, but with some of the convenience features of the second map pouch. They call it their "writer's medical bag" as it includes pouches and pen loops for easy access. I use mine for my Urban Sketching kit and love it.
I love military surplus. The internet has been a double edge sword. It has made finding items easier but it has sadly killed many local surplus stores.
i always liked using a Vietnam war-era US Army gas mask bag for my EDC when i was in high school. It had my sketchbook, a couple pencils, a pen, my wallet, sunglasses, and a few choice close-up magic tricks.
3:16 The internet is so amazing , from the first hard to find discussions on topics, to just being able to buy a bag on ebay, then bigger spaces for learning to make bags, to business making bags, to a video about procuring a certain bag , ... then on to the history of certain bag types... to someone ending up making a 10 hour essay on the history of bags.
I own a Swiss medic bag from WW1, which is slightly different model of that you showed us. Even though I know the newer model would have nicer material and sophisticated features, I love that old heavy leather bag. Thanks for showing us your collection!
I have also felt such an interest for bags/containers which i can not explain. A well crafted, purpose built and built to last bag is just so satisfyingly beautiful =)
My mom grew up in Victoria British Columbia. Once on a visit to my grandparents when I was probably 13 or 14, we went to an incredible antique/ surplus mall in the heart of downtown. Three floors of glorious finds. (I would die to go back there now 20 years later with a full wallet...) As an early teen boy, I found a Canadian-army gas mask bag for like $8. Kind of hung from your belt and strapped to your thigh type thing. Lots of weird/fun compartments. I used that thing for years playing 'war' in the backyard with my brother or camping trips with my dad. Companies now can truly build em like they use to, but that patina, that smell, that glorious find-in-the-dark-corner-of-an-antique-mall, that cannot be replicated. Long live the 2nd, 3rd, 10th life of truly timeless items.
OMG I used to EDC that exact Russian map case! I even got an extra one. My favorite bag for the kind of day-pack use mentioned at the end is a repro Mark VII gas mask bag. But I'm positive Adam has several of those already (Also the EDC 1,2, and 3 don't fit my personal needs, but I love the straps.)
When I saw the thumbnail, I was reminded of WW II German military binoculars in their case. Beautiful case, beautiful binoculars. The quality of their optics was amazing. Zeiss lenses are superb.
I carry all sorts of bullshit that's even less useful than the dog poop bags. I use a backpack daily and inside I even carry extra backpacks for some reason. (the drawstring sack kind so I can fold gem up real small) actually has come in handy a couple times for when I forget to bring grocery bags to the store.
The first bag I was obsessed with was a US ARMY canvas map bag. While I was in the service a buddy of mine gave me his. It served as a great map, admin and art supply bag (holding my sketchbook and pencils I used during down time). I’ve had it for 19 years now and it’s still one of the best bags I own. Functionality and durability is amazing.
I have had an obsession with military surplus bags ever since I started collecting old surplus stuff so this love and passion that Adam brings out really resonates with me. And for Adam I have some suggestions for bags you might like, while none of these suggestions are entirely leather I’m sure you would like them. I use for my day bag a East German utility/ gas mask bag that I then attached a polish map case strap too. That case is so useful cause it has a compartment that perfectly holds a water bottle, another compartment that holds my steam deck and another for a book. For a bigger shoulder bag I use is a Czech medical bag called the VZOR 80. Honestly i mostly use that for style not anything in particular. And last if you are looking for a rucksack, I love using my Romanian army rucksack, the leather didn’t age very well and broke however the way I repaired it makes it look badass/survivaly. I hope you enjoy those suggestions.
Adam, your comments about loving bags reminded me of a bag I have that you would get a kick out of. It is canvas rather than leather so there isn't as much of a "cool factor" but it is, non-the-less cool. My grandfather was a horse-mounted military policeman in France during WWI and this was the bag his gas mask was in. It's well over 100 years old now and as you can imagine, is pretty tired but it's amazingly intact and you can still read where his name and service number were written on the back. Wish I could send pictures, you'd probably enjoy seeing it. Cheers!
Vests. Vests with pockets. That’s my go-to for most things. Great for hot weather, it’s not something that can be snatched away or left behind like a shoulder bag. Now that’s a challenge for Adam. Design a lightweight, durable pocket and pouch-filled vest that DOESN’T look like a fishing vest. And hopefully it’s low profile enough that it can be worn under a normal jacket while loaded. Not HEAVY loading like carrying astronaut gloves and a 4 D cell flashlight and a full trauma kit…but you know. Normal stuff. Speaking of… pouches worth looking at are the EMT style. It’s a good way to carry a mini-Maglight and a Gerber Multitool…. 😁
Hey Adam. Yes, that's a Swiss army bag. But it has nothing to do with medicine, but like the rest of your pockets it is a map pocket. The small leather compartment in the bag is for writing utensils, the big one is for the map. The small additional pocket on the leather strap is for the Sitometer 85/Bussole. Which was used to determine the coordinates of the mortar and artillery.
I have a love for these old cold war map bags and have one very very close to the one you have. Whenever I come across one, I end up buying it, because I'll never find it again. I keep one in my jeep to keep the classic vibe going. I bought my first one back in 2001 for road trips my brother and I would do. Still have it with all the original road trip notes and maps we had to use for back then.
Now my fiancé' ended up finding one of these bags, it was a leather camera bag. i don't remember the brand/maker of said bag id have to look it up when i find it again, but its absolutely something to look into Adam, leather camera bags/military camera bags. some of the most interesting bags I've seen in a long time top be honest, i feel like they are right up the alley of the exact vibe you are looking for. that and they can come in various sizes. from small satchels like the one you have, to sizes big enough to use as a 72 hour pack damn near. such cool concepts and uses man. absolutely love all your work.
I became obsessed with an LL Bean bag that I took on a school trip to France and England. It became my go to day hiking bag. After 32 years it finally ripped and I spent years looking for one on eBay. Finally got a new old stock bag this year. Probably will never find another. It has multiple pockets, both zipper and velcro and is the perfect size for two 1L water bottles, wallet, keys, a map and some snacks.
My favourite bag is a 1970s-ish Finnish military "marking equipment" bag, as it has just the right amount of compartments (and pen holders) and its made from thick wear resistant fabric, so its fairly water resistant and holds its shape, plus the flap is secured with those really handy "lift the dot" type of fasteners seen on US WW2 bags and pouches. It has a very similar construction as the Finnish M/61 gasmask bag, though that one has only a single large compartment. Both also have an extra horizontal strap for strapping the bag around the waist, to stop it from swinging around if running. Works well for keeping the bag on your back while cycling too. BTW, love the Seiko SKX.
There are a bunch of old Swiss army bags on Ebay.. Some of them have patina on their leather exterior that looks like the sheet of leather on Adam's workbench...
I make leather bags and often look at military bags for ideas and inspiration. I have been playing around with the WW2 vest backpack combo for sometime now. It’s great to see Adam get excited over bags as much as I do.
Hey Adam. Not vintage or old by any means but I think you would love the pochi bag. It’s a holster style bag designed for EDC and for people to wear while riding a bike/skateboard (or one wheel). Have a good one!
I love the EDC ONE as an urban hiking / everyday bag. With my basic stuff in it, it's light and portable, and it expands enough for a mini-grocery run. I can also rely on the waterproofing and keep papers and electronics in it even if I am not sure of the weather ahead. Thanks for sharing the fruits of your bag fascination with us all.
Hello Adam . As a strapmaker , I'll used to work with those military bags and pouches ...i've found one day a french military map bag made only for a rich french officer during world war one ( fabulous Epi leather ) ... you can find full of french pouches, military bags on flea market in France 😉 . I've got a beautiful vintage french railroad bag from the 70 ,if you want 😉
I have a few rugged leather EDC bags and always love how the bags react to an application of saddle soap being applied to them. The bags go from crunchy leather relic to supple vintage leatherwork.
If you are looking for something a little larger (messenger bag sized) and are OK with canvas I suggest the Israeli paratrooper bag. I carried one on multiple deployments and it held up really well. I am now an archaeologist and I have one that is my "field bag" and another that is my "dig bag". Each has the basics I need to pedestrian (field) or sub-surface (dig) and they are great, durable bags. I like the canvas so I can add patches though it is not as water proof as leather. I refer to them as my Murses i.e. "man purses".
I love the closure on that Swiss bag. That little round stud and the slot in the strap are the perfect combination of simple to make, simple to open, simple to close, and secure. I never cared for buckles on an EDC bag because they take too long to open. A one-button quick release isn't bad, but I've had them jam on me. But that little stud is perfect.
Watching videos where you created display boxes for things sparked a love for containers. Boxes with nooks and crannies, bags with oddly shaped pouches, and what could fit perfectly in them and even follow some asthetic along the way. Thank you for sharing your own interest in bags/pouches.
My edc is the letter size messenger bag made of waxed cotton by motorcycle gear maker Aerostich in Duluth MN. Made in the USA, it’s a good size and highly functional yet decent looking bit of kit, especially for those who may not like leather. And the are at least the last time I ordered one, under $100 usd. It’s great to see someone else who geeks out over geeky things. Thanks for the video.
Hi Adam. I have been buying different bags at surplus and second hand stores for years, but I always seem to come back to my vintage US Military M6 Lightweight gas mask bag. Nice storage area with a few pockets. Some attachment points for extra stuff. I love the closures. I have been thinking about trying to waterproof the canvas with oil cloth treatment, or maybe even reproduce the bag in leather. Enjoy! M6 Gas Mask Carrier The M3 and M4 series of Lightweight Service Gas Masks required a new carrier bag due to the shorter hose length. The M6 bag was used for both the M3 and M4 masks (and others) to hold the mask itself, the canister, plus accessory items such as anti-dimming sets (to prevent fogging of the eye lenses), covers and protective ointment. The bag has interior pockets for accessories and is stenciled with "Army Lightweight Service Mask" on the exterior front, near the bottom. The M6 bag has a top closure that is secured with three LTD fasteners. Like other WW II webbing and bags, the bag color was OD #3 early in the war but changed to the darker OD #7 shade in 1943.
The swedish m/39 gasmask bag is one of my first love of bags. Awsome size, small comparment on the outside. Made of canvas and leather. I do think you'd enjoy one. Also readily available and cheap
Could NOT get this map bag out of my mind. Then I found one with all it's original gear. Pencils, compass, etc. Could not hit that "buy me" button fast enough.😂 Oh yeah, and back in the day, I did a little Cartography, so, win-win! Adam... Thanks for turning me on to this. 🤗😁
The story about why you need a bag for all your stuff, especially when its warm and you don't want a coat, is so relatable. Literally the first thing I made of my own design when I got into leather crafting , was a hip pouch, not much smaller than your Swiss bag for exactly that reason. PS: I was 30 in 97 as well
Pretty sure the "pocket knife" compartment on the German map bag is for calipres, so you can quickly measure distances. When I was fixing 2d printers for a living, I ended up using a Swiss gas mask bag to carry all my tools. It was about the same size as the map bags, but just a single compartment. After I lost that job I used the back as a purse until it finally wore out. Also, WW2 era Bren magazine pouches make decent bottle holders, so at one I rigged up a couple pannier style to ride on the back of my bicycle. Mine are Canadian (my grandfather took them to Holland in 1945) but the pattern was pretty universal across the Commonwealth.
I went to India with my mother 30 or so years ago (she wanted to go to an ashram so I went with her) - while there I got obsessed with what was sold to me as a Tibetan belt pouch (whether it actually was Tibetan or not who knows, but I loved it and that was the point!). It is a leather pouch with ornate patterned metal on the flap with a turquoise stone embedded in the middle of it. Pouch fastens with a simple metal hook. Pouch hangs from a leather loop on your belt. Love it. Smells like a camel lol. I am surprised I was allowed to bring it back to New Zealand.
Clearly a British Mk7 gas mask bag, with a leather rifle sling replacing the original canvas strap. I find it to be reasonable practical when I dont want to carry a backpack but still bring some things along.
I'm a huge sucker for Milsurp, canvas, and sling bags so when you asked for bag recommendations I knew I had to comment. If you haven't looked yet, you should totally check out Milsurp gas mask bags. The one most people likely know is the bag Indiana Jones wears, a WW2 era British gas mask bag, the MkVII. But my personal favorite that I've used for years given to me as a gift from my brother is a Swedish WW2 gas mask bag, the M-36. Grey canvas, with a leather reinforced bottom, leather flaps and metal closures. One large compartment and a smaller one on front, plus an adjustable shoulder strap with an adjustable waist strap too. It's been a bag for hiking, daily carry, and I even used it as my tool bag when I was a Locksmith. Not sure if it's something that'd be up your alley, or even if I'm the first to suggest one, but like I said I just knew I had to recommend one
My favorite bag is the Swedish gas mask bag (M36). It's leather and canvas - slightly smaller and oddly shaped but lasts a lifetime with the proper care. They used to be $5 in the 90's, but they're running on short supply and perhaps high demand so they might be an investment, too!
As a long time professional photographer I have obsessed over finding the right bag for me and my gear. I went from camera makers cheap little bags to backpacks to oversized bags and finally settled on my well worn heavy duty canvas bag.
I have a small Finnish messenger bag of some sort, may have been a map bag bag, but I doubt it since it's canvas not leather, but it is my go-to EDC bag. It has a pouch that is the perfect size for a Nalgene, and enough storage for all my pocket litter and I'm still able to fit a light jacket in it if needs be. But what really makes it shine is that in addition to the shoulder strap, it has a waist strap that you can click on taking some of the load off especially when you have a full water bottle in it. I personally find messenger bags to be highly fatiguing, and this takes a significant portion of that load off the shoulders.
@@MobiuSphere Around the same time when they were making those gas mask bags, they also made a bag model for "marking equipment" whatever those might've been. But its a very similar bag, just a tiny bit slimmer, but with plenty of pen holders and pockets for notepads on the outside of the bag, under the flap.
Bags are awesome but I got the ultimate bag so I have no need for more now. It's Suraya Hawthornes satchel from the Destiny 2 video game's collectors edition. It's a satchel/messenger bag but it comes with 2 straps that can be removed, so you can turn it into a backpack, or even have it hang sideways or upside down, whatever you want. I keep the straps in an X shape across my chest. It's got something like 13 pockets, some of which are hidden, and I can fit everything I need for a 3-4 day trip in it. Extremely high quality, really durable materials, the hardware is easily the best hardware I've ever seen on a factory produced item, and all the snaps and buttons and stuff are super sturdy. Highly recommend if you can find one second hand.
I have that Russian Map Bag! I carry my iPad in it and had that as my replacement for a backpack while in college. I take it EVERYWHERE. The smaller iPad 11inch iPad fits perfectly in there with its case and apple pencil, and I take it everywhere to draw and do art. Its fantastic!
I too stumbled onto the Russian map bag. I saw it in Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War. I immediately fell in love with the look and design and ordered one right away. It is my go to bag when I don't want to carry a backpack.
I also collect bags... my edc and work bag was the 5.11 MOAB rush 10, now it's the messenger bag. I love their tactical design, lots of pockets for organisation, and the messenger is easier to find things
Yeah I can’t stop buying bags, thinking the new one would be better than the current carry and yet, I always seem to go back to one of my MANY Chrome Kadet slings….they just seem to work for me. I have taken them all over the world with me. I love how they carry, easy to get on and off…water resistant enough for walking in the rain…😊😊
I have the same love of pouches as you do with bags. It started when I was a kid and my dad gave me two U.S. GI canvas compass pouches probably from the Vietnam era. You can still get them for a little south of 5 bucks. I'm in the Army now, and still obsess over little pouches I can throw on my kit or assault pack. Wonderful video!
If you don't mind canvas bags, Finnish post WW2 army surplus is the way to go. I have an old gasmask bag for EDC and when I go flying. It can hold A LOT but doesn't look too imposing which means you can sneak it on as extra carry on. I also have a bag for "marking tools", probably for an engineer of some sort. Lots of small pockets and pouches. Perfect for organizing various "stuff".
Not vintage looking bags, but Kriega makes fantastic bags of various sizes. Designed for motorcyclists these bags are rugged, waterproof, and even modular in the fact that they can strap to each other and mounting systems. Even if they aren't you style, I feel like you'd get a kick out of their design Adam. Cheers
For me it was the MK-VII. Adam and many others will know what that is, but for the casuals that's Indy's bag. Whatever Indy needed, be it excavation tools, gloves, or a place to stash a sacred stone, that bag answered the call. I coveted it throughout childhood, and over the years I spent a lot of vacation money at the military surplus booths of various flea markets trying to scratch that itch. In my teens I found Indygear and finally learned why, despite finding several very neat satchels, I had never seen THE bag. WWII stuff wasn't showing up in surplus stores by the time I was browsing their shelves, and on top of that it was British. I eventually got a repro from Magnoli, and it's a great bag, no lie. With a tiny bit of modification(remove the divider from the main compartment and pull the stitching from the bottom of the rear slots to make them deeper), it provides perfect storage for my earpods, cased tablet, phone, wallet, and power bank with plenty of wiggle room for cables and other miscellaniae; the strap rings are a great place to clip my keys or anything else small that I might want to have extra handy, and the front compartment is perfect for my pocket protector and a few snacks. Aside from that my current favorite is a Venturer Portfolio bag, which is much smaller but with careful arrangement can hold all the same stuff i usually have in the MKVII except for the tablet, making it perfect for a day of casual errands.
It's nothing so unusual or interesting as those, but I bought a canvas satchel or "messenger bag" (I'm not sure which it technically is) at Staples many years ago. And it has been amazing. It carries small tools, cables for electronics, batteries for devices, has separate flat space for papers, and separate insulated and lined space that is the wrong proportions for a laptop but has the strap you see with a laptop bag. That last space I've found works amazing as a lunchbox. I keep drinks in it with a little silica bead packet to fight condensation and they stay cool for hours, and it deforms well enough to let me take canned food or boxes on one side and chips on the other with nothing getting mangled or crushed. And with the outside being canvas, it's lasted way longer than anything else I use daily. Finding the right bag for you can be life changing. It seems like a simple thing but it makes so many things so much easier. But I kind of feel like you have to live with it for a while to know if it's the right bag.
Always love to see show and tells on items like this, because changes are i am either into them already or Adam had shown me a new thing to obsess over. I never considered map bags as a sketch bag, I will have to try that idea out! As for searching for bags, I sobt know how useful it would be in day to day life, but the US armed forces had what is referred to as a butt pack (I cannot for the life of me remember its official name) in Vietnam. What drew me to this bag is a few things. One: it is a neat piece of kit, and I collect military gear and equipment. The other reason is for my Ghostbusters uniform. I know when I am at a con I will be decked out in all my gear, with no real space for items I may pick up, and that's where this comes in. It fits perfectly with the aesthetic too!
Lovely sharing!! Thank you! I've always loved a good bag since my Scouting days. Small bags are useful. The old chinese student's canvas satchel in white or olive was the bomb in the 80s. I was later drawn to the light canvas double-section claymore mine bag satchel with extra wide shoulder straps. While its not easy to escape from synthetic materials today, cotton canvas and leather are such comfortable materials and they pair extemely well. Macpac makes bags with an amazing material called Aztec. Which is made up of threads with a polyester core (for strength) with cotton spun around it. So whennit gets we, the cotton swells and seals all the micro pores so that water doesnt get in any fuether. Like good ol' high density cotton canvas, but with ployester strength for wear and mold resistance. Unfortunately they are making less and less of these bags due to rising cost and lesser knowledgable customers. (Too technically advanced for most markets.) My oldest Aztec Macpac (Kauri 30ltr) daypack still in use is 21 years old and it doesnt look a day older than 3 years old in comparison to other packs if used daily. It's been through many expeditions with me. Ive reduced mu daily carrying to sub-20ltrs now. My current EDC straddles between 3 bags, a Timbuk2 leather canvas backpack, Fjallraven G1000 18ltr backpack, and a Barbour Utility messenger satchel in canvas and a leather double brass buckle-strap flap. Each one has its strength and shortcomings. But I like them heaps! Thanks for bringing up the subject of bags!
My favourite eBay bag purchase was an Eddie Bauer leather satchel/ book bag made by Roots Canada. Full grain leather with rugged brass hardware; it will outlive me.
Savage Industries bags: adamsavage.com/
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Hey Adam,
I too am a lover of bags. It started in the late 80's when I got my hands on a US military surplus demolition pouch. Just big enough to fit a couple D&D books in plus some writing materials. Damn I miss that bag..
So currently I'm sourcing a leg pouch because being in a wheelchair makes getting into your pockets a pain. I'm currently looking at MOLLE style leg pouches to hold my wallet, flashlight etc on the top of one leg.
When. I was a teenager a friend described my obsession with packs, military load bearing equipment, other parctical luggage and the like as "the hobby of collecting, packing and unpacking little bags". I feel it is safe for me to say "I get you Adam".
I don't really have the space but I'd love to get an industrial sewing machine, a roll of cordura or 3, a pile of hardware and start making bags and backpacks for fun and maybe profit,
Canvass, US military messenger/mail bags are a hobby of mine. WWII - Vietnam era stuff is still out there to be had, even in Army Surplus Stores.
you should make a backpack in that red EDC colour
Hey Adam,
Your Swiss bag is actually also a map bag and not for medical supplies. The form factor matches standardized swiss maps, the velcro-compartement is for pencils etc. and the small extra pouch is for the compass. This model was produced for most of the 20th century and because of that is a very common sight in thrift shops overe here in Switzerland. You might also like the old Swiss army bread bags ("Brotsack") made from leather and very sturdy canvas.
The rectangular pocket on the right hand side of the brown German map case is for a Deckungwinkelmesser, a small hand held optic tool used to help calculate distances and heights for indirect (or volley fire) fire from machine guns, artillery and mortars. The little slot cut in the pocket was for a leather strap that was used to help pull the tool out (missing on Adam's map case).
This reminds me SO much of the bags by Galen Leather in Turkey. The matriarch of the company, who sadly passed away only a few years ago, was always interested in these sorts of bags. She used one example of a Swiss medic bag to inspire and design what they call the Writer's Medic Bag.
I purchased one from them when we were living in Austin. I loaded it with watercolor supplies and toted that thing all over Big Bend, Marfa, and the many trails of the Texas Hill Country. It's held up beautifully. I love the story behind it and the legacy of this mother and wife who designed it.
Not affiliated with Galen Leather in any way. Just a loving admirer of their work who enjoys sharing stuff like this. Thanks for the wonderful post! Off to shop for some EDCs!
Alright, hear me out Tested crew :
You now have a duty to humankind to keep producing videos of Adam geeking out about "common" things of every day life.
His puppy-like levels of excitement when he's talking about them is what the world needs.
This is now your mission.
You do not have a choice.
DO IT !!!! WE WANT MORE GIDDY ADAM CONTENT !!!
Noted!
I always wanted the bag that Indiana Jones used!
@@mbmurphy777that’s a British Gasmask bag, which strangely hadn’t yet been designed yet when the first Indy films had taken place. When a new stockpile of surplus is found, prices drop, so keep an eye out and be patient. My brother and best friend both have one in unused unissued condition.
I just bought one myself and it is a great size for a bag. Search for a MK VII gas mask bag and away you go.@@mbmurphy777
@@mbmurphy777 I believe that is a British Gas Mask bag. Not sure if it was WWII era(the bag), but I think so.
For many years I carried and old US army explosives satchel, Vietnam era, that I picked up somewhere. One time while grocery shopping an older, wheelchair bound, veteran stopped me and said he carried that exact bag in Vietnam. He said, if you open the flap there is a larger pocket on the right and a few smaller pockets for carrying detonators (or something). He was dead on, same pockets and everything. I immediately took my stuff out of my bag and gifted it to him. He was so excited. It was a super cool interaction with a cool old guy.
The Swiss „medical bag“ is actually a standard map bag of a Swiss corporal. The medical bag of the Swiss Army is slightly bigger and the front can be flipped open too. The medical bag has compartments for all the stuff. Fun fact: it included a foldable lantern with a wax candle. I carried both during my service in the Swiss Army and afterwards I kept it for many years as first-aid kit in my car and used the map bag as edc bag too.
I still have my Swiss Map bag, sans leather strap, which I was issued in the late 80ies. Have never seen that medical bag, sounds like I would be great for EDC!
I have a vintage leather military bag (Czech or Swiss officer’s bag, I was told) that is now my plein air sketch/watercolor bag. It’s smallish and has a vertical orientation, which is well suited to my supplies and just hangs better, in my opinion, than a horizontal bag. The best thing about it is that the leather creaks like an old saddle. I just love that sound.
I have ADHD and Autism, and I also have a fascination with bags (among other things). The only difference is I have always been somewhat embarrassed by it thinking it reflects my cognitive impairment, so I love how Adam celebrates his idiosyncrasy rather than apologise for it - I should learn from this! 🙂
My daughter is on the spectrum and I have ADD, I couldn't agree more with you! Thanks for posting. ❤ this channel is great for us! So satisfying.
Everybody has interests and obsessions, regardless of your neurodivergencies or lack thereof. If neurotypical people can love things like stock cars driving an oval track for 5 hours and all the intricacies of it, I don't see how appreciating nice bags or carriers is far off :)
@@Tyreinn it could be argued that enjoying watching cars driving in an oval for 5 hours is, in itself, a form of neurodivergence 😂
There's a book called 'hunters In a farmers world' if I'm remembering correctly.
The book talks a lot about the theories that things like ADHD exist in humans because it benefited our early societies
If you read the book you might see it more as a specialized brain instead of an impaired one
mate, its just some people take a lot of pleasure in things that others dont see the craftsmanship, design specifics to exactly fulfill the role or just how fricking cool something is- welcome to the club :P
3:45 even though the bag isn't older than ~50yrs it's cool to see a clear vinyl/flexible cover in use with very practical use.
I'd love to see your take on a trendy fanny pack Adam
Well that's a wild Kyle.
Love your work man, cool to see you on one of my other favorite channels
Kyle? In the comments section well dang lol nice to see you here
Not sure “trendy” and “fanny pack” is ever going to happen! 😂
thumbnail made me think it was a rogan fannypack. otherwise agreed.
That's basically the function that last bag serves.
Absolutely love your honest and unfiltered enthusiasm! It never fails to bring a smile and a laugh. I’ve been looking for that Russian bag myself after i saw it in HBO’s "Chernobyl". I love leather bags and i am currently rocking a 4 year old Indiana satchel from Saddleback Leather goods. They are built so solid that it is just now after 4 years of use that the good patina is starting to show.
I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it a thousand more...
Adam is the Fred Rogers of making.
Every time his face shows up on screen, my day is instantly better, and I always learn something new.
i LOVE all the little pauses when you're thinking. so many channels cut out every single moment of silence
I really connected with this video. I have a military map bag from Czechoslovakia and as a leather worker have I been trying to add the awesome elements of this bag to my own projects ever since I found it. It is unfortunately made of vinyl but has a similar construction to your Russian version but with only one horizontal fold out and side pockets. Military designs are always great inspiration as they are always function first.
Yeah, I was waiting for him to pull out the Czechoslovakia map case
Hi, the "Swiss medical bag" is in fact a sabretache or Säbeltasche in german. In the former military gear ordonnance (officially valid through 1990, but that was only slowly implemented over a few years after that date), NCOs would be equipped with that part - so was I in 1996.
Its dimensions were ideal to keep maps. Yours is pretty broken in, but in their new state they are totally stiff, with the leather being easily 2 to 3 mm thick. Not only the year it was manufactured is stamped by means of a cutter, but also the name of the saddler who made it (the MoD would typically split such contracts to a lot of contractors throughout the country). The little bag on the strap was to hold the compass, they were made by the still existing RECTA factory ; these compasses are among the most clever, no nonsense that you could find. Also, notice the bottom strap with which you can hitch the bag to your belt in your back (or to anything that would do), in order not to be impeded when leaning forward, cycling etc...
Yes! My time to shine.
Adam if you want more bags you have to look at Swiss ammo bags. The Swiss army at one point had these beautiful canvas and leather bags to store their ammo. They are about the size of a US ammo can but canvas top with leather bottoms.
Once you find those the Swiss also had a large canvas backpack which is leather bottomed and a beautiful green grey colored canvas. The backpack was a system for smaller bags and blanket rolls. So you should look at their bread bags for that backpack. There are 2 versions of the bread bag one in canvas and the other in a cheaper plastic/leather material. Obviously the canvas one is the one to have.
I think I have seen repros on amazon, they do look nice and I can imagine the real ones are incredible.
Have you ever checked out the Swiss Medic bags! Ohhh you need to! If this is your jam, you'll dig those, too.
This is so relatable. I have long-obsessed over the beautiful military bags I kept seeing in movies and television, much like that map bag you talked about. And now there are so many similar styles of bags available, and for functional purposes I love using an over-the-shoulder, canvas, messenger-style bag for taking my dogs out.
Scott Christian Sava uses a vintage medical bag as his watercolor & sketching kit when he's outside. He's made a couple videos on it. Beautiful bag. He's also an awesome artist!
Came to say this same thing. Its amazing how perfect that bag is for all his things.
I have probably over a hundred bags, including dozens of Maxpeditions, various Saddlebacks and Mountainbacks, and no end of cheapies. The standout for me is the Domke F-802. I've removed the stiffener bar and given it a wash to make it less boxy, but now it is the perfect man bag. A few pockets for organisation, big main space, single clasp, grab handle, and a nice grippy strap without jangly hardware. Big pocket on rear to quickly dump anything out of your hands, and even a laptop and/or document pocket. Thick canvas and minimal padding protects contents without adding bulk. Summer, winter, smart or casual, it's a chameleon.
You've looked at the military map cases and the medical kit bag. You should definitely check out old school military "bread bags", which were the modern evolution of the historical "haversack" in which soldiers would carry a couple of days' worth of rations. I have an old Swiss army version that has a very cool combination of canvas, saddle leather, and vinyl. I also have an old German version in canvas that I adapted to fit on the waist belt of my backpack, where it serves as a first-order-retrievability repository for all the little things that could get lost in the big bag and that you don't want to have to unlimber your pack to go digging for (bug dope, compass, snacks, etc).
I watched my first video of yours today and I found it very inspiring, very interesting and I think you did brilliantly.
I have a 29 yr old son with Autism who lives with me and with you talking and being yourself made me feel good and it made me feel that everything is going to be alright. I think if I got tested or went into learning about myself more I would fall on the ASD spectrum. When you were explaining the grocery store sinario , it made me smile because that's what I do. I find it hard to get words out and no what to say next, the anxiety etc etc. Like mother like son. .. thank you
Never stop making those Savage Industries bags! I've had my eye on the medium duffle white with that sail material and orange velcro. SO NICE! I'm making my own traveler writing bag to keep all my pens and inks in.
I really want to pull the trigger on one. Hey Tested team: any plans for a sling bag? More specifically one big enough to hold a 13" laptop or iPad Pro?!
This brought back my memory of my first ever ebay purchase was a crossbody bag I saw a girl with at school, got obsessed, and my first etsy purchase was a vintage military bag that had been upcycled with some vintage mod fabric. God I love bags. Or "containers" as Adam said, is definitely one of my loves.
Been watching following you on social media since the very first Mythbuster episode and want to say Thank you very much for constantly taking us along on your adventures through life ,it's been incredible. Really love your bag designs and practically for real life and maybe 1 day I will be able to actually own 1. Everyone keep yourselves and love ones safe and healthy and remember to SMILE 😊
Adam, the streetwear potential of Savage Industries is off the charts, at least judging by the success of EDC 3. You should really come out with some coveralls or EDC pants made from upcycled material. I'd love to get an Expanse cosplay on with some coveralls with a huge Savage Industries patch on the back
I have the same obsession with bags - less for aesthetics, more for finding the 'perfect bag.' You know the deal - you have X many things to carry, you get a bag, and it's perfect. Only then you get a new thing or swap out for another thing and it's no longer perfect. So you get a new bag and then that one is perfect, only you realise it won't hold space for extra things as you need. Another bag arrives and it's perfect, but too large for your smaller go-to collection. Next thing you know, you have 10 bags that you swap out depending on your configuration for the day.
this is too real
Hi Adam. I bought one of the vintage cartography bags while I was in the middle of this video, and it's been my daily driver ever since. I'm an elementary school teacher, and it's been a literally perfect solution for the various things I need to have on hand around the school! Thank you so much!
I appreciate your enthusiasm as a fellow bagman.
Feels like we need a one day build where you fabricate one to your specs, I've done it, it's life affirming.
Fantastic to see a fellow bag enthusiast; I got my first map bag in highschool and have been making and buying some funky styles over time; I made a peacock fanny pack, electrically heated instrument bags (for 15 woodwind instruments) and recently bought a recycled rubber belt bag that clips around your thigh (handmade by a group of rastafarians in Turin). On the wishlist is a bike/backpack hybrid and a specialised toolbelt for both mechanical as well as textile tools.
You might like the Freitag bags from Switzerland, which are made out of recycled truck tarp, seat belts and bicycle tubes.
For me, the ultimate 'hand' bag holds all essentials without requiring my attention, such as holding it, keeping it on my shoulder or otherwise. "The bag as a garment", let's say.
This was a fun little video! I'm a leatherworker and occasionally make bags, so seeing what Adam looks for in a bag is fun to see.
Hi Adam, I've been a huge fan of your work at Tested and love following your builds and your enthusiasm about discovering and learning new crafts. I've been enjoying leatherwork myself and bag restoration and was overblown when I saw your latest bag video as I've been restoring these bags for years now!!! :D
I've been obsessing over the Swiss bag you showed in the vignette and if you're curious I was able to get my hands on a scan of some of the original plans for it and have gone ahead and made a few templates and build videos of them.
I would be honored to send these over to you by email as I love sharing this passion, and sharing it with you also would be amazing to me personally.
Anyhow, thank you so much for your lifelong work and (again) for the passion you share in making everything and especially anything!
Galen Leather makes a lovely modern version of the leather medical bag, but with some of the convenience features of the second map pouch. They call it their "writer's medical bag" as it includes pouches and pen loops for easy access.
I use mine for my Urban Sketching kit and love it.
woah, looked this up and this bag is LEGIT. Definitely modeled after the medical bag, but whoa, talk about nic and naks!
I love military surplus. The internet has been a double edge sword. It has made finding items easier but it has sadly killed many local surplus stores.
i always liked using a Vietnam war-era US Army gas mask bag for my EDC when i was in high school. It had my sketchbook, a couple pencils, a pen, my wallet, sunglasses, and a few choice close-up magic tricks.
3:16 The internet is so amazing , from the first hard to find discussions on topics, to just being able to buy a bag on ebay, then bigger spaces for learning to make bags, to business making bags, to a video about procuring a certain bag , ... then on to the history of certain bag types... to someone ending up making a 10 hour essay on the history of bags.
I own a Swiss medic bag from WW1, which is slightly different model of that you showed us. Even though I know the newer model would have nicer material and sophisticated features, I love that old heavy leather bag. Thanks for showing us your collection!
I'm glad someone pointed out swiss military medic bag, I have been looking for one for ages hard to get them in Australia
thats so cool
His love and passion for simple things is truly heartwarming
I have also felt such an interest for bags/containers which i can not explain. A well crafted, purpose built and built to last bag is just so satisfyingly beautiful =)
My mom grew up in Victoria British Columbia. Once on a visit to my grandparents when I was probably 13 or 14, we went to an incredible antique/ surplus mall in the heart of downtown. Three floors of glorious finds. (I would die to go back there now 20 years later with a full wallet...)
As an early teen boy, I found a Canadian-army gas mask bag for like $8. Kind of hung from your belt and strapped to your thigh type thing. Lots of weird/fun compartments.
I used that thing for years playing 'war' in the backyard with my brother or camping trips with my dad.
Companies now can truly build em like they use to, but that patina, that smell, that glorious find-in-the-dark-corner-of-an-antique-mall, that cannot be replicated.
Long live the 2nd, 3rd, 10th life of truly timeless items.
I want the rest of the Starfield model! It’s such a dope project!
New episode tomorrow!
Vintage camera bags/cases and vintage briefcases are some of my favorite things to look for and own.
I bet you'd love some of the old camera bags/cases out there. The earlier Eastman Kodak company ones are particularly pretty.
OMG I used to EDC that exact Russian map case! I even got an extra one.
My favorite bag for the kind of day-pack use mentioned at the end is a repro Mark VII gas mask bag. But I'm positive Adam has several of those already
(Also the EDC 1,2, and 3 don't fit my personal needs, but I love the straps.)
I'm surprised that, with his love of costumes and the whip he made, Adam didn't mention having the Mark 7 gas mask bag.
When I saw the thumbnail, I was reminded of WW II German military binoculars in their case. Beautiful case, beautiful binoculars. The quality of their optics was amazing. Zeiss lenses are superb.
I can't believe I'm not the only one to carry around those little dog poop bags. Underrated EDC.
I carry all sorts of bullshit that's even less useful than the dog poop bags. I use a backpack daily and inside I even carry extra backpacks for some reason. (the drawstring sack kind so I can fold gem up real small) actually has come in handy a couple times for when I forget to bring grocery bags to the store.
In virtually every jacket. I swear that they breed faster than wire coat hangers!
The first bag I was obsessed with was a US ARMY canvas map bag. While I was in the service a buddy of mine gave me his. It served as a great map, admin and art supply bag (holding my sketchbook and pencils I used during down time). I’ve had it for 19 years now and it’s still one of the best bags I own. Functionality and durability is amazing.
I have had an obsession with military surplus bags ever since I started collecting old surplus stuff so this love and passion that Adam brings out really resonates with me. And for Adam I have some suggestions for bags you might like, while none of these suggestions are entirely leather I’m sure you would like them. I use for my day bag a East German utility/ gas mask bag that I then attached a polish map case strap too. That case is so useful cause it has a compartment that perfectly holds a water bottle, another compartment that holds my steam deck and another for a book. For a bigger shoulder bag I use is a Czech medical bag called the VZOR 80. Honestly i mostly use that for style not anything in particular. And last if you are looking for a rucksack, I love using my Romanian army rucksack, the leather didn’t age very well and broke however the way I repaired it makes it look badass/survivaly. I hope you enjoy those suggestions.
Adam, your comments about loving bags reminded me of a bag I have that you would get a kick out of. It is canvas rather than leather so there isn't as much of a "cool factor" but it is, non-the-less cool. My grandfather was a horse-mounted military policeman in France during WWI and this was the bag his gas mask was in. It's well over 100 years old now and as you can imagine, is pretty tired but it's amazingly intact and you can still read where his name and service number were written on the back. Wish I could send pictures, you'd probably enjoy seeing it. Cheers!
Vests. Vests with pockets. That’s my go-to for most things. Great for hot weather, it’s not something that can be snatched away or left behind like a shoulder bag.
Now that’s a challenge for Adam. Design a lightweight, durable pocket and pouch-filled vest that DOESN’T look like a fishing vest. And hopefully it’s low profile enough that it can be worn under a normal jacket while loaded. Not HEAVY loading like carrying astronaut gloves and a 4 D cell flashlight and a full trauma kit…but you know. Normal stuff.
Speaking of… pouches worth looking at are the EMT style. It’s a good way to carry a mini-Maglight and a Gerber Multitool…. 😁
Hey Adam. Yes, that's a Swiss army bag. But it has nothing to do with medicine, but like the rest of your pockets it is a map pocket. The small leather compartment in the bag is for writing utensils, the big one is for the map.
The small additional pocket on the leather strap is for the Sitometer 85/Bussole. Which was used to determine the coordinates of the mortar and artillery.
I love the sound of Adam's chair trundling across the floor at the beginning of a video... It makes me happy!
I have a love for these old cold war map bags and have one very very close to the one you have. Whenever I come across one, I end up buying it, because I'll never find it again. I keep one in my jeep to keep the classic vibe going. I bought my first one back in 2001 for road trips my brother and I would do. Still have it with all the original road trip notes and maps we had to use for back then.
Now my fiancé' ended up finding one of these bags, it was a leather camera bag. i don't remember the brand/maker of said bag id have to look it up when i find it again, but its absolutely something to look into Adam, leather camera bags/military camera bags. some of the most interesting bags I've seen in a long time top be honest, i feel like they are right up the alley of the exact vibe you are looking for. that and they can come in various sizes. from small satchels like the one you have, to sizes big enough to use as a 72 hour pack damn near. such cool concepts and uses man. absolutely love all your work.
I became obsessed with an LL Bean bag that I took on a school trip to France and England. It became my go to day hiking bag. After 32 years it finally ripped and I spent years looking for one on eBay. Finally got a new old stock bag this year. Probably will never find another. It has multiple pockets, both zipper and velcro and is the perfect size for two 1L water bottles, wallet, keys, a map and some snacks.
My favourite bag is a 1970s-ish Finnish military "marking equipment" bag, as it has just the right amount of compartments (and pen holders) and its made from thick wear resistant fabric, so its fairly water resistant and holds its shape, plus the flap is secured with those really handy "lift the dot" type of fasteners seen on US WW2 bags and pouches. It has a very similar construction as the Finnish M/61 gasmask bag, though that one has only a single large compartment. Both also have an extra horizontal strap for strapping the bag around the waist, to stop it from swinging around if running. Works well for keeping the bag on your back while cycling too. BTW, love the Seiko SKX.
There are a bunch of old Swiss army bags on Ebay.. Some of them have patina on their leather exterior that looks like the sheet of leather on Adam's workbench...
I make leather bags and often look at military bags for ideas and inspiration.
I have been playing around with the WW2 vest backpack combo for sometime now.
It’s great to see Adam get excited over bags as much as I do.
The man is talking about bags with enthusiasm... And I'm loving it!
Hey Adam. Not vintage or old by any means but I think you would love the pochi bag. It’s a holster style bag designed for EDC and for people to wear while riding a bike/skateboard (or one wheel). Have a good one!
I love the EDC ONE as an urban hiking / everyday bag. With my basic stuff in it, it's light and portable, and it expands enough for a mini-grocery run. I can also rely on the waterproofing and keep papers and electronics in it even if I am not sure of the weather ahead. Thanks for sharing the fruits of your bag fascination with us all.
Hello Adam .
As a strapmaker , I'll used to work with those military bags and pouches ...i've found one day a french military map bag made only for a rich french officer during world war one ( fabulous Epi leather ) ... you can find full of french pouches, military bags on flea market in France 😉 . I've got a beautiful vintage french railroad bag from the 70 ,if you want 😉
seeing someones passion about niche collectibles is so wonderful
Your enthusiasm just makes me smile. Thanks
I have a few rugged leather EDC bags and always love how the bags react to an application of saddle soap being applied to them. The bags go from crunchy leather relic to supple vintage leatherwork.
If you are looking for something a little larger (messenger bag sized) and are OK with canvas I suggest the Israeli paratrooper bag. I carried one on multiple deployments and it held up really well. I am now an archaeologist and I have one that is my "field bag" and another that is my "dig bag". Each has the basics I need to pedestrian (field) or sub-surface (dig) and they are great, durable bags. I like the canvas so I can add patches though it is not as water proof as leather. I refer to them as my Murses i.e. "man purses".
I love the closure on that Swiss bag. That little round stud and the slot in the strap are the perfect combination of simple to make, simple to open, simple to close, and secure. I never cared for buckles on an EDC bag because they take too long to open. A one-button quick release isn't bad, but I've had them jam on me. But that little stud is perfect.
Watching videos where you created display boxes for things sparked a love for containers. Boxes with nooks and crannies, bags with oddly shaped pouches, and what could fit perfectly in them and even follow some asthetic along the way. Thank you for sharing your own interest in bags/pouches.
My edc is the letter size messenger bag made of waxed cotton by motorcycle gear maker Aerostich in Duluth MN. Made in the USA, it’s a good size and highly functional yet decent looking bit of kit, especially for those who may not like leather. And the are at least the last time I ordered one, under $100 usd. It’s great to see someone else who geeks out over geeky things. Thanks for the video.
Hi Adam. I have been buying different bags at surplus and second hand stores for years, but I always seem to come back to my vintage US Military M6 Lightweight gas mask bag. Nice storage area with a few pockets. Some attachment points for extra stuff. I love the closures. I have been thinking about trying to waterproof the canvas with oil cloth treatment, or maybe even reproduce the bag in leather. Enjoy!
M6 Gas Mask Carrier
The M3 and M4 series of Lightweight Service Gas Masks required a new carrier bag due to the shorter hose length. The M6 bag was used for both the M3 and M4 masks (and others) to hold the mask itself, the canister, plus accessory items such as anti-dimming sets (to prevent fogging of the eye lenses), covers and protective ointment. The bag has interior pockets for accessories and is stenciled with "Army Lightweight Service Mask" on the exterior front, near the bottom. The M6 bag has a top closure that is secured with three LTD fasteners. Like other WW II webbing and bags, the bag color was OD #3 early in the war but changed to the darker OD #7 shade in 1943.
Adam your enthusiasm is awesome! Bags are cool but vacuum tubes are much more interesting and fun to obsess over.
The swedish m/39 gasmask bag is one of my first love of bags. Awsome size, small comparment on the outside. Made of canvas and leather. I do think you'd enjoy one.
Also readily available and cheap
Could NOT get this map bag out of my mind. Then I found one with all it's original gear. Pencils, compass, etc. Could not hit that "buy me" button fast enough.😂 Oh yeah, and back in the day, I did a little Cartography, so, win-win! Adam... Thanks for turning me on to this. 🤗😁
The story about why you need a bag for all your stuff, especially when its warm and you don't want a coat, is so relatable. Literally the first thing I made of my own design when I got into leather crafting , was a hip pouch, not much smaller than your Swiss bag for exactly that reason. PS: I was 30 in 97 as well
Pretty sure the "pocket knife" compartment on the German map bag is for calipres, so you can quickly measure distances.
When I was fixing 2d printers for a living, I ended up using a Swiss gas mask bag to carry all my tools. It was about the same size as the map bags, but just a single compartment. After I lost that job I used the back as a purse until it finally wore out. Also, WW2 era Bren magazine pouches make decent bottle holders, so at one I rigged up a couple pannier style to ride on the back of my bicycle. Mine are Canadian (my grandfather took them to Holland in 1945) but the pattern was pretty universal across the Commonwealth.
I went to India with my mother 30 or so years ago (she wanted to go to an ashram so I went with her) - while there I got obsessed with what was sold to me as a Tibetan belt pouch (whether it actually was Tibetan or not who knows, but I loved it and that was the point!). It is a leather pouch with ornate patterned metal on the flap with a turquoise stone embedded in the middle of it. Pouch fastens with a simple metal hook. Pouch hangs from a leather loop on your belt. Love it. Smells like a camel lol. I am surprised I was allowed to bring it back to New Zealand.
Clearly a British Mk7 gas mask bag, with a leather rifle sling replacing the original canvas strap. I find it to be reasonable practical when I dont want to carry a backpack but still bring some things along.
I'm a huge sucker for Milsurp, canvas, and sling bags so when you asked for bag recommendations I knew I had to comment. If you haven't looked yet, you should totally check out Milsurp gas mask bags. The one most people likely know is the bag Indiana Jones wears, a WW2 era British gas mask bag, the MkVII.
But my personal favorite that I've used for years given to me as a gift from my brother is a Swedish WW2 gas mask bag, the M-36. Grey canvas, with a leather reinforced bottom, leather flaps and metal closures. One large compartment and a smaller one on front, plus an adjustable shoulder strap with an adjustable waist strap too. It's been a bag for hiking, daily carry, and I even used it as my tool bag when I was a Locksmith.
Not sure if it's something that'd be up your alley, or even if I'm the first to suggest one, but like I said I just knew I had to recommend one
My favorite bag is the Swedish gas mask bag (M36). It's leather and canvas - slightly smaller and oddly shaped but lasts a lifetime with the proper care. They used to be $5 in the 90's, but they're running on short supply and perhaps high demand so they might be an investment, too!
As a long time professional photographer I have obsessed over finding the right bag for me and my gear. I went from camera makers cheap little bags to backpacks to oversized bags and finally settled on my well worn heavy duty canvas bag.
I have a small Finnish messenger bag of some sort, may have been a map bag bag, but I doubt it since it's canvas not leather, but it is my go-to EDC bag. It has a pouch that is the perfect size for a Nalgene, and enough storage for all my pocket litter and I'm still able to fit a light jacket in it if needs be. But what really makes it shine is that in addition to the shoulder strap, it has a waist strap that you can click on taking some of the load off especially when you have a full water bottle in it. I personally find messenger bags to be highly fatiguing, and this takes a significant portion of that load off the shoulders.
Sounds like a M/61 Gasmask bag. They used to be very easy to find, but unfortunately their supply has dried up few years ago.
@@wryyyy yep that's the one! Thank you I would have never found it on my own :-)
@@MobiuSphere Around the same time when they were making those gas mask bags, they also made a bag model for "marking equipment" whatever those might've been. But its a very similar bag, just a tiny bit slimmer, but with plenty of pen holders and pockets for notepads on the outside of the bag, under the flap.
Bags are awesome but I got the ultimate bag so I have no need for more now. It's Suraya Hawthornes satchel from the Destiny 2 video game's collectors edition. It's a satchel/messenger bag but it comes with 2 straps that can be removed, so you can turn it into a backpack, or even have it hang sideways or upside down, whatever you want. I keep the straps in an X shape across my chest. It's got something like 13 pockets, some of which are hidden, and I can fit everything I need for a 3-4 day trip in it. Extremely high quality, really durable materials, the hardware is easily the best hardware I've ever seen on a factory produced item, and all the snaps and buttons and stuff are super sturdy. Highly recommend if you can find one second hand.
I'm reminded of the 'CANVAS MAP CASE SHOULDER BAG' I used for a time, simple, not leather but good enough to bring a book on the train.
I have that Russian Map Bag! I carry my iPad in it and had that as my replacement for a backpack while in college. I take it EVERYWHERE. The smaller iPad 11inch iPad fits perfectly in there with its case and apple pencil, and I take it everywhere to draw and do art. Its fantastic!
I was already down for the map bag AND THEN YOU OPENED THE TRI-FOLD FLAPS and I just lost my mind. I absolutely love that style of bag.
I too stumbled onto the Russian map bag. I saw it in Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War. I immediately fell in love with the look and design and ordered one right away. It is my go to bag when I don't want to carry a backpack.
you know what...I like bags too and I have a sewing machine.
WHY AM I NOT MAKING BAGS!? Adam you genius!
I also collect bags... my edc and work bag was the 5.11 MOAB rush 10, now it's the messenger bag. I love their tactical design, lots of pockets for organisation, and the messenger is easier to find things
Yeah I can’t stop buying bags, thinking the new one would be better than the current carry and yet, I always seem to go back to one of my MANY Chrome Kadet slings….they just seem to work for me. I have taken them all over the world with me. I love how they carry, easy to get on and off…water resistant enough for walking in the rain…😊😊
I have the same love of pouches as you do with bags. It started when I was a kid and my dad gave me two U.S. GI canvas compass pouches probably from the Vietnam era. You can still get them for a little south of 5 bucks. I'm in the Army now, and still obsess over little pouches I can throw on my kit or assault pack. Wonderful video!
If you don't mind canvas bags, Finnish post WW2 army surplus is the way to go. I have an old gasmask bag for EDC and when I go flying. It can hold A LOT but doesn't look too imposing which means you can sneak it on as extra carry on. I also have a bag for "marking tools", probably for an engineer of some sort. Lots of small pockets and pouches. Perfect for organizing various "stuff".
Not vintage looking bags, but Kriega makes fantastic bags of various sizes. Designed for motorcyclists these bags are rugged, waterproof, and even modular in the fact that they can strap to each other and mounting systems. Even if they aren't you style, I feel like you'd get a kick out of their design Adam. Cheers
For me it was the MK-VII. Adam and many others will know what that is, but for the casuals that's Indy's bag. Whatever Indy needed, be it excavation tools, gloves, or a place to stash a sacred stone, that bag answered the call. I coveted it throughout childhood, and over the years I spent a lot of vacation money at the military surplus booths of various flea markets trying to scratch that itch. In my teens I found Indygear and finally learned why, despite finding several very neat satchels, I had never seen THE bag. WWII stuff wasn't showing up in surplus stores by the time I was browsing their shelves, and on top of that it was British. I eventually got a repro from Magnoli, and it's a great bag, no lie. With a tiny bit of modification(remove the divider from the main compartment and pull the stitching from the bottom of the rear slots to make them deeper), it provides perfect storage for my earpods, cased tablet, phone, wallet, and power bank with plenty of wiggle room for cables and other miscellaniae; the strap rings are a great place to clip my keys or anything else small that I might want to have extra handy, and the front compartment is perfect for my pocket protector and a few snacks.
Aside from that my current favorite is a Venturer Portfolio bag, which is much smaller but with careful arrangement can hold all the same stuff i usually have in the MKVII except for the tablet, making it perfect for a day of casual errands.
MapBags are the GOATS! LITTERALLY first bags I got hyped and stunned as a 20y old.
It's nothing so unusual or interesting as those, but I bought a canvas satchel or "messenger bag" (I'm not sure which it technically is) at Staples many years ago. And it has been amazing. It carries small tools, cables for electronics, batteries for devices, has separate flat space for papers, and separate insulated and lined space that is the wrong proportions for a laptop but has the strap you see with a laptop bag. That last space I've found works amazing as a lunchbox. I keep drinks in it with a little silica bead packet to fight condensation and they stay cool for hours, and it deforms well enough to let me take canned food or boxes on one side and chips on the other with nothing getting mangled or crushed. And with the outside being canvas, it's lasted way longer than anything else I use daily.
Finding the right bag for you can be life changing. It seems like a simple thing but it makes so many things so much easier. But I kind of feel like you have to live with it for a while to know if it's the right bag.
Always love to see show and tells on items like this, because changes are i am either into them already or Adam had shown me a new thing to obsess over. I never considered map bags as a sketch bag, I will have to try that idea out!
As for searching for bags, I sobt know how useful it would be in day to day life, but the US armed forces had what is referred to as a butt pack (I cannot for the life of me remember its official name) in Vietnam. What drew me to this bag is a few things. One: it is a neat piece of kit, and I collect military gear and equipment. The other reason is for my Ghostbusters uniform. I know when I am at a con I will be decked out in all my gear, with no real space for items I may pick up, and that's where this comes in. It fits perfectly with the aesthetic too!
Thank you! I'm so glad someone else has this same itch...lol. I love containers of all kinds.
Lovely sharing!! Thank you!
I've always loved a good bag since my Scouting days. Small bags are useful. The old chinese student's canvas satchel in white or olive was the bomb in the 80s. I was later drawn to the light canvas double-section claymore mine bag satchel with extra wide shoulder straps.
While its not easy to escape from synthetic materials today, cotton canvas and leather are such comfortable materials and they pair extemely well.
Macpac makes bags with an amazing material called Aztec. Which is made up of threads with a polyester core (for strength) with cotton spun around it. So whennit gets we, the cotton swells and seals all the micro pores so that water doesnt get in any fuether. Like good ol' high density cotton canvas, but with ployester strength for wear and mold resistance. Unfortunately they are making less and less of these bags due to rising cost and lesser knowledgable customers. (Too technically advanced for most markets.)
My oldest Aztec Macpac (Kauri 30ltr) daypack still in use is 21 years old and it doesnt look a day older than 3 years old in comparison to other packs if used daily. It's been through many expeditions with me.
Ive reduced mu daily carrying to sub-20ltrs now. My current EDC straddles between 3 bags, a Timbuk2 leather canvas backpack, Fjallraven G1000 18ltr backpack, and a Barbour Utility messenger satchel in canvas and a leather double brass buckle-strap flap. Each one has its strength and shortcomings. But I like them heaps!
Thanks for bringing up the subject of bags!
The Russian bag looks good for TTRPG'ing. Character sheets in the map sections, rulebooks in the back etc.
It’s wonderful to see someone as obsessed with storage organization as I am, storganization.
My favourite eBay bag purchase was an Eddie Bauer leather satchel/ book bag made by Roots Canada. Full grain leather with rugged brass hardware; it will outlive me.