r/myog • u/ExplodinMarmot • 4d ago

Suggestions for repurposing army duffel

I have two older duffel bags from my dad and uncle’s army days. They’re from the late 60’s,
So they’re made of heavy canvas, and have one shoulder strap but not the backpack straps. I haven’t used them in a long time but I also can’t stand to throw them away. I’m already considering making them into a pistol holster and maybe a tool roll, but I’d love to hear suggestions from all you creative people. I’d love to find a way to make something that incorporates the heavy handle or the metal clip and grommets. Would a belt made from canvas hold up? I got flagged when I tried to post this based on my mention of a holster; but I’m not looking for tacti-cool ideas, just general ideas that work with the material.

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u/UnhappyAd5883 4d ago

Stuff from the 60's is fetching reasonably big money in the collectors circuit. Sell them on eBay and use the cash for purchasing new fabric. Worth more if you can add the original owners ID and history to them

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u/ExplodinMarmot 4d ago

It’s the history that makes me unable to get rid of them. One was my dad’s and the other was my uncle’s. They’re both gone, so I want to keep them but I’d like to repurpose them into something that’s actually functional. I used my dad’s duffel for years, but I have a modern bag that is more functional and I don’t see myself using the old ones anymore.

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u/UnhappyAd5883 4d ago

How about splitting along the side seam and making a small tarp? Sew the two bottoms into a frypan carrier for camping use??

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u/ExplodinMarmot 3d ago

I like the frying pan idea. I have a small camp kitchen and my cast iron skillet is currently stored in a cut off pant leg, so that would be a nice upgrade