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Re: Authentic Wood Canteen
I used to make Gardner Pattern canteens and included the following instructions with each canteen I sold. For what it's worth.
A NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS BUYING WOOD CANTEENS made by BILL RODMAN
THESE CANTEENS ARE GUARANTEED TO LEAK!
Over time, any wood canteen made like the originals without a plastic liner will develop leaks. Keeping your canteen filled with water during storage will reduce these problems. Remember, change the water before you go to an event! After a while, strange things will begin to grow in the canteen. I recommend you put a little vinegar in the canteen before you store it. Just before using the canteen wash it out with baking soda, to neutralize the vinegar. A ten percent solution of bleach and water will kill any bacteria in your canteen. Bleach is a poison, and you want to make sure you rinse all of it out of the canteen before you drink from it. I recommend you change the water at least three times.
When your canteen begins to leak, the problem is usually easy to solve. First, wash out the canteen with very hot water. This will warm the canteen and melt out some of the wax already inside. Next, melt about two ounces (1” square) of bee’s wax over boiling water. Caution, do not melt the wax over an open flame. I learned about burning wax the hard way. It was very, very exciting!. Carefully pour the melted wax into the canteen, plug it, and swish it around until all surfaces are covered with wax. I recommend you wear protective glasses during this step, as some of the hot wax may be forced out of the canteen. Allow the wax time to cool, fill the canteen, and check for leaks. Good Luck!
I recommend you use bee’s wax, rather then paraffin, to seal canteens. Paraffin seems more brittle then bee’s wax, and just doesn’t work as well. Besides, I don’t think paraffin existed during the 1860’s.
There is the possibility that your canteen might shrink, and the bands become loose, even if you keep the canteen filled with water. This problem is caused by the wax sealing the canteen too well, but is very easy to fix. Just fill the canteen with boiling water and let it sit until the water cools and the canteen swells back again. After the bands become tight, just pour out the waxy water and refill the canteen with fresh water.
I cannot be responsible for wooden spouts on the Gardner Pattern canteens breaking, or coming out of the canteens. The spouts are the weak link in these canteens. Take notice of how many original canteens are missing their spouts. I make the spouts like the originals, and they are subject to loss or breakage. I recommend you take care not to force the stopper into the spout. This is how they usually get broken.
I hope you enjoy your canteen. If you have any questions, please ask.
Bill Rodman
Co. B, 4th. Texas Inf.
I used to make Gardner Pattern canteens and included the following instructions with each canteen I sold. For what it's worth.
A NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS BUYING WOOD CANTEENS made by BILL RODMAN
THESE CANTEENS ARE GUARANTEED TO LEAK!
Over time, any wood canteen made like the originals without a plastic liner will develop leaks. Keeping your canteen filled with water during storage will reduce these problems. Remember, change the water before you go to an event! After a while, strange things will begin to grow in the canteen. I recommend you put a little vinegar in the canteen before you store it. Just before using the canteen wash it out with baking soda, to neutralize the vinegar. A ten percent solution of bleach and water will kill any bacteria in your canteen. Bleach is a poison, and you want to make sure you rinse all of it out of the canteen before you drink from it. I recommend you change the water at least three times.
When your canteen begins to leak, the problem is usually easy to solve. First, wash out the canteen with very hot water. This will warm the canteen and melt out some of the wax already inside. Next, melt about two ounces (1” square) of bee’s wax over boiling water. Caution, do not melt the wax over an open flame. I learned about burning wax the hard way. It was very, very exciting!. Carefully pour the melted wax into the canteen, plug it, and swish it around until all surfaces are covered with wax. I recommend you wear protective glasses during this step, as some of the hot wax may be forced out of the canteen. Allow the wax time to cool, fill the canteen, and check for leaks. Good Luck!
I recommend you use bee’s wax, rather then paraffin, to seal canteens. Paraffin seems more brittle then bee’s wax, and just doesn’t work as well. Besides, I don’t think paraffin existed during the 1860’s.
There is the possibility that your canteen might shrink, and the bands become loose, even if you keep the canteen filled with water. This problem is caused by the wax sealing the canteen too well, but is very easy to fix. Just fill the canteen with boiling water and let it sit until the water cools and the canteen swells back again. After the bands become tight, just pour out the waxy water and refill the canteen with fresh water.
I cannot be responsible for wooden spouts on the Gardner Pattern canteens breaking, or coming out of the canteens. The spouts are the weak link in these canteens. Take notice of how many original canteens are missing their spouts. I make the spouts like the originals, and they are subject to loss or breakage. I recommend you take care not to force the stopper into the spout. This is how they usually get broken.
I hope you enjoy your canteen. If you have any questions, please ask.
Bill Rodman
Co. B, 4th. Texas Inf.
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