Dan , I’ve had one of the Asbells for at least 10 years now and my friends call it my “Man Purse” but I can carry just what I need in it and it’s very quiet with no zippers ,snap buttons or Velcro to deal with. Has a Big flap that covers everything and has a few separate dividers built right in that are also made of wool. Not sure what the weight or count so to speak of how thick the wool material is but it must be a heavyweight . Mine didn’t have a button or any means to keep the flap closed so I cut a small slit and sewn in a button made of antler so I could keep it closed. The strap that goes over the shoulder is like that seat belt material and I can strap it around one shoulder and strap my carry bag with my Huntmore 360 seat on the other shoulder . I gave all my backpacks to friends and just use. The haversack and love it. Keefers

In muzzleloading it's called a possibles bag, same thing. I've been carrying the same one for 35 years, but I'm going to finally make myself a new one with light weight moose leather after hunting season. If I needed several vital things in an instant at my fingertips for bow hunting like I do for flintlock hunting, or just wanted to carry a ham sammich and a drink I'd consider carrying one. I use a back quiver so a haversack makes a better paring with it than a backpack does. But I don't lug much around nowadays.

Some design considerations may be... plenty of strap length or an adjustable strap. I like it to hang at or below the beltline whether I'm wearing a t-shirt or a winter coat. Perhaps dividing it into two compartments inside, and/or with smaller internal pockets sewn into the front and back, helps with organizing items and keeping small things from getting lost in the bottom with other stuff. Some method to secure the flap down.

What Keefers said 2x. I have had mine for many years and was concerned of losing stuff from no closure button or tab, but never lost a thing, including some pretty good spills in snowy weather. It has more pocket/dividers than any haversack I have and can probably carry half-again or double the gear of any of the rest I have. I really like mine in the winter or rainy days and with the backquiver.

This is the Asbell Haversack . . . just a sample of one wool type. They are very much like the Possible Bags I used when I did Furtrade/Mountain Man reenacting. Mine are all leather like the Fur Trade era Possible Bags. Dimensions will vary depending on how much you want to carry.

That’s the exact same pattern as mine Two Flints .I was going to go take a picture of it but no need to now .They are nice for sure.

I have a haversack that a friend made for me many years ago. It’s made out of a upholstery material. My favorite way of carrying what I need for a day in the woods. I usually carry a tree stand or seat so backpacks aren’t practical, used a fanny pack for quite a few years but the haversack hanging on my side is just much more convenient

I have a flat green Asbell one I got on here a couple years ago off the swap thread. I like it a lot and I use it anytime I'm in the woods.

I have one made from oil skin, light weight,water proof, perfect size for things I don't want in my pockets, snacks,compass etc. I use it a lot for hunting and hiking and on the archery range.

I use a canvas Finland military possibles bag for local day hunts. Got it new for $10 at a surplus store. Works great. I also use it on the river sometimes when fishing. I sometimes use it for other purposes. They are great. I joke around and call it my man purse, or MURSE. Try it, you'll like it.

It's kind of a personal thing. I've seen my wife rummage through her purse to find something and that's the last thing I want to do in the field. I want something compartmentalized so I can find things by the pocket I keep them in. Not everyone likes fanny packs and I love mine. I just have to remember to put what I need in it prior to going to the woods. Haversacks look cool though. :)

Now that old age and my back issues cause me issues wearing belt quivers I know the Fanny pack is out. I would switch to the haversack if I needed to carry the items I carried in Fanny pack. I already use the shoulder strap method for my quivers.

I’ve been using the Avery messenger bag it has compartments and it’s definitely the best pack I’ve ever used if comes in mossy oak. It carries like the haversack. I highly recommend it.

Best is made by gray wolf woolens for bowhunting

Been working well for over 15 years now.

I made my large double pouch muzzleloading bag from scratch out of heavy canvas, without any mock up pattern paper or whatever, and soaked it in hot parrafin wax. Then because it was stiff as hell, I beat the crap out of it to soften it up. It works GREAT to shoot out of. All I can tell you is, if you make one, make it big. I'm sure with your sewing chops you can handle it from there.

Native Americans carried them.

Is that a man purse???

Is that a man purse???

All I know is if there's a sack above your ass you're point man at a prison pivot party.

I've got 2 haversacks. One is the Bison gear. It's very quality made and I use it for late season when I might need to carry a little more stuff. My main one is a leather one I bought from 3 rivers archery many years ago. It carries what I need. Knife, file, pruner, small folding saw, cord, flashlight, turkey calls, plastic bag, milkweed. I've been using one for many years. I can just grab it, sling it over shoulder and I'm off knowing I have what I need. For me it's way easier than a fanny pack and doesn't get in the way.

Mine's a little less "traditional" but very practical, a 1942 USGI mussette bag. It has several compartments inside. I've used it bowhunting, going to gun shows, trade shows, fishing, and camping. If it was good enough for a GI in WW2, it is good enough for me.

The trick is to flip the strap over your head to the offside shoulder. Then you can move the bag to the back of your hips if you want. Modern versions are called 'messenger bags' because big city bike messengers use them. So do many students for their laptop computers. You can find some really nice ones in thrift stores. I have several. I use them on my motorcycle. One of them will handle a twelve pack of beer or a bag of groceries. I get the beer more often. - lbg

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