Filson Tin Cloth fabric source

[Colonel]

I have been looking for a source of the equivalent of Filson Tin Cloth fabric by the yard. My wife and I just bought a sewing machine that can handle multiple layers of heavy fabric such as this (a Singer 15-91 built in 1953) and there are several things I'd like to make but can't find the fabric that I want.

Filson Tin Cloth is 12.5 ounce cotton duck with a paraffin wax finish. It is a dark tan color. I own a Filson shooting vest made from that material, and it is a true classic.

Can anyone here point me in the right direction? Thanks!

 

[Curmudgeon]

Have you asked Filson? Might get a quick answer on their Facebook page.

JP

 

[andy richards]

Interesting subject.
I wear Filson garment a lot and I love it!
For what purposes you want to use the fabric? Clothing? Tents?
Maybe you are looking for something like this?

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1345023

or this:

http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/catalog_items.aspx?TypID=80&Viewby=Types&Page=1

they sell it by the yard and comes in differents colours.

My guess is that most fabrics are non-waxed, which I think should make it easier to handle with a sewing machine.
Any canvas cloth can be waxed if desired with Beeswax or equivalent.

Good luck,
Andy

 

[Colonel]

Gentlemen, thank you for your suggestions.

I haven't tried to contact Filson directly. When I was reading about the fabric, I learned that they have it manufactured specifically for Filson. The fabric is an important part of who Filson is, and they guard it jealously. I can't blame them one bit for doing that.

What I'm wanting to make is various pouches and bags. There are several that interest me, but one specific project that I want to do is make a "fire kit" that attaches to the belt. It would contain a Ferrocerium rod, a striker, some tender, and a match case. I might even tuck in a small compass, but it is primarily a fire kit. There are plenty of suitable belt pouches from Maxpedition and others, but I want something without all the Velcro, Fastex buckles, etc. The top will roll up, similar to a waterproof canoe bag, and will be closed with either a leather buckle or a toggle or a button. Most things are best carried in a pack, but there are some basics like a knife and fire-making items and compass that should be always on your person rather than in a pack. Just my opinion anyway.

I have some drop cloth canvas tarps, and I may end up washing it to preshrink it, then dye it and wax it. Actually, I suppose that may be the better route to go than trying to find something already made up.

 

[DUKE NUKEM]

Very cool! Can you post some pics when done sir?

 

[Colonel]

Very cool! Can you post some pics when done sir?

I'd be glad to - thank you for the interest. My wife and I will be going into town this evening and will stop at a fabric shop to see what they might have.

 

[DUKE NUKEM]

Gentlemen, thank you for your suggestions.

I haven't tried to contact Filson directly. When I was reading about the fabric, I learned that they have it manufactured specifically for Filson. The fabric is an important part of who Filson is, and they guard it jealously. I can't blame them one bit for doing that.

What I'm wanting to make is various pouches and bags. There are several that interest me, but one specific project that I want to do is make a "fire kit" that attaches to the belt. It would contain a Ferrocerium rod, a striker, some tender, and a match case. I might even tuck in a small compass, but it is primarily a fire kit. There are plenty of suitable belt pouches from Maxpedition and others, but I want something without all the Velcro, Fastex buckles, etc. The top will roll up, similar to a waterproof canoe bag, and will be closed with either a leather buckle or a toggle or a button. Most things are best carried in a pack, but there are some basics like a knife and fire-making items and compass that should be always on your person rather than in a pack. Just my opinion anyway.

I have some drop cloth canvas tarps, and I may end up washing it to preshrink it, then dye it and wax it. Actually, I suppose that may be the better route to go than trying to find something already made up.

http://duluthpack.com/outdoor-gear/canoe-kayak/canoe-packs

 

[DUKE NUKEM]

Waxed Cotton Canvas
http://www.frostriver.com/canoe_packs/canoe_packs_menu.html

 

[Big Fella]

Check with Panther Primitives. I did get some waxed canvas material. I "THINK" it was from them.

 

[Colonel]

Check with Panther Primitives. I did get some waxed canvas material. I "THINK" it was from them.

Thanks for the tip, Big Fella - I'll let you know what I find. My trip to the fabric store turned up nothing. They said to try someplace that sells sailing stuff, but I suspect that there is not a whole lot of cotton canvas in use now. I know it's still used for some sails, but only those weird "purists" - you know, the kind who are found on Fedora Lounge - who might use real canvas.

 

[Big Fella]

Colonel, I dug out my Panther Primitive catolog: Genuine oilskin by the yard, very dark brown, 52" to 55" wide. Catalog No. 3011-058-2. $24.00/yd. 1-800-487-2684. I used it to make a waterproof cover for my gun cart.

 

[Colonel]

Colonel, I dug out my Panther Primitive catolog: Genuine oilskin by the yard, very dark brown, 52" to 55" wide. Catalog No. 3011-058-2. $24.00/yd. 1-800-487-2684. I used it to make a waterproof cover for my gun cart.

Thanks, that is exactly what I was hoping to find. What a fascinating catalog to look through - I just spent at least an hour going through their PDF version of the catalog, and will be spending more time when it's available. There is all sorts of very cool stuff in there. I'm sure that I'll be ordering more than just canvas when I send in an order.

What sort of re-enacting do you do?

Again, thank you for letting me know about Panther Primitives. For those wanting to check it out, their web site is http://www.pantherprimitives.com/

 

[Eric P]

This company at one time supplied fabric to Filson- http://www.waxwear.com/home.htm I talked to them at the SHOT show in vegas a few years back, nice people.

 

[Colonel]

This company at one time supplied fabric to Filson- http://www.waxwear.com/home.htm I talked to them at the SHOT show in vegas a few years back, nice people.

Thanks, Eric. I checked their site, but it looks like they only deal in wholesale. That looks like it would be perfect though.

I have found some sites that describe how to add the wax finish, so my plan at this point is to buy some raw canvas from Panther Primitives, dye it, then add the wax finish, then sew it up (after making at least one test pattern). There are basically two ways to go: buy the small tins of "Filson's Oil Finish Wax" for $8 - $9 each, or make it up by the gallon for a lot less, but more work and higher initial cost. I'm not sure which way I'll go.

This is the best article I've found on exactly how to do it - http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=smalser&file=articles_368.shtml

Here is the link to the Filson's wax - http://www.filson.com/products/oil-finish-wax.69033.html