Short Puttees

[Mojave Jack]

Just got my new short puttees from WPG. I couldn't find a pair of size 2 anklets, ao I had to go with the putteess. OK, OK, so I have skinny ankles! Leave me alone! [huh] Anyway, I now have one question: how the heck do you wrap these things?! Well, let me re-phrase that. Wrapping them is easy, how the heck do you tie them off? I've seen pictures where it looks almost like guys have used masking tape to finish them off, but I assume that they've just blancoed their strap or something, right? Even so, I can't tell how they're tied off.

 

[Baggers]

Mojave,
Just how thick your ankles and boot tops are will dictate where you'll need to start them, but the pointed end with the long tape will need to be centered on the outside of your ankle with the point towards the rear. Then you'll wrap the tape neatly a couple of times around until you have enough left over to carefully fold over halfway until the tape end points upwards, then wrap tightly around the horizontal tape wraps leaving just enough of the end to tuck underneath the vertical wraps. There won't be an actual knot, but if you've wrapped everything carefully enough, the friction should hold it in place. It'll take trial and error, then practice, but soon you'll be able to do it rather quickly. If done right, you'll find it seals off the tops of your boots and provides excellent ankle support, unlike web anklets. Just think of it as Ace Wrap made out of wool serge.

Clear as mud? Here are two diagrams that people have sent me. They have slight variations on how to make the final "knot", but it should give you an idea:

Hope these help!

Cheers!

 

[Cobden]

The whiteness of the strap is due to the fact the ribbon fades in the desert sun, whereas the actual puttee itself doesn't.

 

[Mojave Jack]

Thanks, Baggers! I had a feeling I could count on you for an answer!

The whiteness of the strap is due to the fact the ribbon fades in the desert sun, whereas the actual puttee itself doesn't.

That does sound more reasonable. I guess blancoing the strap doesn't make much sense, does it? Hmmm, so that means that a green strap marks one as a newbie, eh? :eusa_doh: Might have to distress these straps a bit!

 

[Baggers]

Thanks, Baggers! I had a feeling I could count on you for an answer!



That does sound more reasonable. I guess blancoing the strap doesn't make much sense, does it? Hmmm, so that means that a green strap marks one as a newbie, eh? :eusa_doh: Might have to distress these straps a bit!

Always glad to be of assistance. As for blancoing the straps I wouldn't bother. Almost nothing in the Western Desert was blancoed because they couldn't waste water, and the shade you'll need is nearly impossible to find these days.

If you really want to fade them, you can try scrubbing them with salt water as it's supposed to have a bleaching effect. Still, I wouldn't mess with it.

Cheers!

 

[mikepara]

Anklet Free-bees

Mojave Jack,
I have a pair of size 2 web anklets that will never be worn again they are yours if you wish. They are post war but still the same.

Re: Putees. Take it from someone who wore them everyday for years... cut then in half (shorten the length) easier to wrap and looks better.

 

[mikepara]

On way

John, The anklets are on way. Glad to give them a new home. Mike

 

[Mojave Jack]

Thanks, Mike! I'm still trying to master keeping these puttees tight. There must be a whole lot of experience that keeps these things in place that I obviously haven't got! I think the anklets will be more my speed!

 

[Mojave Jack]

Got 'em!

Mike, the anklets arrived yesterday, and fit perfectly! Thanks a million! I definately owe you a few cold ones when one or the other of us gets across the pond.

 

[mikepara]

Nice one.

Glad to give them a new home. Couldn't bare seeing you suffering with those puttees!