Duluth Pack fans?(little Helle and GB content too)

CKE2

CKE2

Joined
Aug 28, 2003
Messages
1,574
Was on vacation this past weekend(Duluth, Minnesota) and stopped in to Duluth Pack...WOW, nice stuff. Not too sure if I would like to go on a long hike with the heavy canvas packs but they sure are well made and nice looking. Just something about that old style as compared to all the new nylons and corduras out there.
Any folks here use Duluth Packs. I have my eye on one of the small shoulder bags, thinking it would make a great hiking bag. Mini haver I think it was called...I'll have to check. My wife says I want a "man-bag"...hey call it whatever, it'll fit lots of knives and cool stuff:thumbup:
They also had the full line(to my knowledge) of Granfors Bruks axes and hatchets.....I was totally amazed, I have always thought they looked nice, but to hold one is incredible. They are beautiful tools. I am glad I got to see how small there little guy is, I will definetly get one in the future but plan on getting the second one up from the smallest. I am sure using one is out of this world.
On the way home we stopped in a trading post and they had a bunch of higher end knives(I was quite surprised) and lots of scandinavian style knives too. Some custom Puukkos, a very fancy Bruselletto(Sp?) and a couple Helle's, I had a heck of a time walking away from the Nying...it is now on my short list. Very nice knives and quite good prices(not internet prices) but worth the extra dollars to actually be able to hold them and check them out first.
Not a bad trip south of the border with lots of good ideas for Santa:D:D:D

Craig
 
my swedish friend said it something like "hell-eh" but talking to some others their european friends told them it was simply "hell"...

sounds like a nice place, i will have to make it up there sometime and check it out. i have always been interested in those packs, look very nice.
 
Duluth Pack makes and sells exceptional gear for the more traditional-minded crowd, as opposed to the REI-type customer base. Filson, Saddleback Leather, and JW Hulme are just a few other outstanding companies to keep in mind. I have a Duluth Pack timber cruiser that's seen a decade and a half of seasonal use. Canvas, leather, and wool just happen to last, blend in, and last given proper respect.

Truth in advertising--Being from nothern WI and the big woods, I'm decidedly biased.
 
I have one of the deluxe shell bags that I've used for carrying around various tree/plant books and such on strolls around the local reserves. Nicely made and has held up well over the years. Don't know that I want to use it for more than that though, the strap isn't great for heavy loads and long hikes. It tends to slip a bit as well.
 
Mike Fitz said:
I have one of the deluxe shell bags that I've used for carrying around various tree/plant books and such on strolls around the local reserves. Nicely made and has held up well over the years. Don't know that I want to use it for more than that though, the strap isn't great for heavy loads and long hikes. It tends to slip a bit as well.
Click to expand...

I've replaced the strap on mine with a 6" nylon dog leash. Great for over the shoulder carry of a day's kit and a small axe.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=549920
 
Mogwai, I like that set up:thumbup:

I did not see the shell bags there...was a wee bit rushed. Gonna check the Duluth Pack website again.

Thanks
 
I use an old swiss militery mountain rucksack it is heavy vinyl coated nylon and leather. My pack I used for several years outdoors is a German military alpine rucksack heavy canvas and leather. None of the fancy newer packs will ever last as long as these two alredy have especially with everyday, long term hard use.

The Duluth's are the same idea. The extra weight equals out to far greater durability and longer life. Especially under hard use conditions.
 
I'm a big Duluth Pack fan. I have their discontinued Hudson Bay pack (it's the exact same size as the Monarch #4, but it had 4 D-rings on the sides instead of the side pockets) -- it's a real beast, I use it when I want to go canoe camping or I'm going out for a weeklong camping expedition. Definitely not a hiking pack.

I also have their Wanderer and it's a fine size daypack. I can carry all my survival gear, a good 3-season sleeping bag, Nalgenes with Olycamp cups in the outside pockets and enough food for a weekend without using the front pocket. I usually stick a GI shovel in the front pouch (the shovel and carrier fit perfectly).

I think they're top notch for traditional camping and such.

Some people like Frost River products as well. They're very much like Duluth Pack (in fact, they were started by ex-Duluth Pack employees). I bought their Nessmuk pack, but the quality was only fair.
 
I have a Traveller's Portfolio that I use every day for work. I have a Rivendell Hobo Bag, which is a Duluth Pack Thwart Bag otpimized for bicycle use, on my bike. As the Cpl. said they are a real top notch company and everything they make is excellent. My wife almost wants a Mini Haversack - it's taking some time to convince herself, but she's starting to realize that in some circles, Duluth Pack is on the same tier as Coach and other bag makers, in other circles.
 
Did you go to the main store or the one in Canal Park? Their stuff is great. Frost River did good stuff but went under. Did you try out one of those stick chairs?
 
That's too bad Frost River went under. I have nothing but good to say about their stuff. I've got a Old #7 portage pack that I've beaten the heck out of, and it still looks new after lots of river trips. They made a sweet little daypack too.

Jeff
 
Qwill, pretty sure it was Canal Park. Where is the main store??? Not sure what the stick chair is?
 
The closest in size would be the Rambler
But it doesn't have the slip pocket in the side, it has two pockets to hold Nalgene bottles.

Several other packs have slip pockets to hold the axe like that Woodsman's pack, but don't have the D-rings, you'd have to put the axe handle through the side gusset strap.
One of the more popular ones is the Timber Cruiser
 
Frost River went under? When did this happen? I was just looking at their web site not too long ago. I like that deluth pack as well as the frost river nessmuk style pack and could not decide on which to get. I like traditional gear myself.
 
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