Painting Knapsacks

[61' reb]

I have recently petitioned to join the Masonic Lodge and I will be going through this Saturday. I would eventually like to paint a small masonic symbol, the square and compass, on the side of my knapsack, nothing too big.

I was wondering what kind of paint would be the best to use on a knapsack to make it look period correct?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Jeb Hawthorn]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

For a secret society, you guys sure do like to advertise. :D

[61' reb]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

With all do respect

We like to advertise because it is such a great organization that we are proud of it, proud of the time it takes to achieve the title, mason, proud of the heritage of masonic cultures.

Darn right masons are proud to advertise.

[AZReenactor]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

Satisfactory point, Benjamin.

Is there, any documentation for advertising secret societies by painting symbols on knapsacks?

Heck, if we are going to do that, I might be tempted to paint a braying jackass on mine. Although, I suppose i might need to get permission of the Noble Grand Humbug Erectus first, at least the permission of the Chairman of the Most Important Committee lest I be bared from the Hall of Comparative Ovations. The Royal Platrix didn't cover this issue that I can recall. ;-)

[tater_cuffie]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

If you don't have anythin to say concernin the point then don't post anythin! Sure some can question the Masons, but that's no reason to make fun of them. I have plenty of pards that are Masons, and they're nice people and wouldn't poke fun of your society. Masons do many good things for the community the way I take it, maybe some of their kindness and respect could rub off on you 2 (Troy and Benjamin)....

respectfully,

[AZReenactor]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

Who's poking fun?

[61' reb]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

Thank You Kyle for your kind words.

And to AZ reenactor, maybe some of us actually have a life and we are proud of the things we do and the organizations we are affiliated with and we would like to show our affiliation with said groups, maybe authenticity doesn't matter to us all of the time. I have seen quite a few masonic emblems in civil war history, heck, Gettysburg has a whole monument dedicated to the Masons that fought in the Civil War.

Most americans have a choice of what to do, my choice was just to paint a Masonic emblem on my knapsack, not to make a claim as it being authentic, but simply to say i am a proud member of the Masonic Lodge.

Besides AZ Reenactor, this is a forum that is dedicated to History, something you think you know about, so if you don't know how to answer my question, don't answer at all.

[AZReenactor]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

Being a member of a Secret society is all well and good. But be careful, such rationale as you claim is the basis for many a farbism.

Most americans have a choice of what to do, my choice was just to paint a Masonic emblem on my knapsack, not to make a claim as it being authentic, but simply to say i am a proud member of the Masonic Lodge.

[61' reb]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

You do state a good fact AZ Reenactor, i had just planned to make it a small symbol on the upper side corner of my Isaac and Campbell pack.

Good point though.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

Hallo!

"Most americans have a choice of what to do, my choice was just to paint a Masonic emblem on my knapsack, not to make a claim as it being authentic, but simply to say i am a proud member of the Masonic Lodge."

Moderator hat on...

It is the standard of the AC Forum to strive for what is researched and documented to the Period. In that spirit, the question should have better been whether Masonic emblems were applied to clothing and gear, and if so in what Period Correct manner.

I can be proud of say, a membership in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, or the Turner Verein, or a college "Greek" fraternity, but would not necessarily paint say a harp on my knapsack or canteen cover simply because I am "proud."

That can quickly devolve into Militant Farbism, and a violation of this Forum's No Farbism Rule.

(And no, I am not a Freemason myself, just the son of a Past Grand Master of two lodges.)

Curt

[brown]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

I know that in all seriousness, Masonic membership today is often quite public. However, wasn't it more private during our time period, which could help explain the lack of documentation to marking property? I own several items left by several male ancestors who were active Masons (including an ACW vet), but nothing is marked.

[61' reb]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

Okay guys, i was just asking a question about paint, i wasn't trying to stir up anything. I apologize for causing an uproar about something as small as painting a symbol. Please close this thread because obviously no one wants to give input on the question i asked, but instead gives word to irrelevant matters that do not even concern the question asked about paint.

Please close this thread.

[AZReenactor]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

I don't know. You asked, "what kind of paint would be the best to use on a knapsack to make it look period correct?" As such, the topic of whether any paint should be used, is quite legitimate.

Seems to me that the displaying of fraternal symbols on knapsacks or elsewhere is certainly a valid topic of discussion and see absolutely no reason to close the thread. I think it safe to allow it to go where it will, as long as it relates to the topic of the forum and doesn't stray into advocating farbism and such.

I suppose someone could have suggested you should use period authentic type paints, inks, etc. but that would have been far too simplistic a response, don't you think?:wink_smil

[brown]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

I responded in a respectful way to a portion of your question. Had you only wanted a list of period paint options, why didn't you ask that alone? Seemed to me you wanted to also pursue the image.

But, to respond to the very limited scope that you secretly (or is that a bad word in this thread) wanted covered, I used the search function and added links below. I'll leave anything else about the period to discuss with others.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20410&highlight=period+paint

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18930&highlight=period+paint

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16996&highlight=period+paint

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14096&highlight=period+paint

[Kiev Thomason]

Re: Painting Knapsacks

Gentlemen,
In respect to all. There is a feeling of pride to be had with joining a lodge or any other thing one might wish to do be it football,reenacting ect. I have been a card carring brother for going on 7 years now and I along with many others look into the brotherhood during the war alot. That being said I don't know that I have ever seen it painted on a knapsack. Don't take this as a slap on the wrist. I just know that as others have stated let's be authentic. I think that there is alot of pround Brothers around here. Most of us wear rings that are correct to the period .We also wear watch fobs and other small tokens. The best thing I can say is before anyone paints ,tattoos or brands themselves or their kit ....look it up. If you find it then go for it. I understand where you are coming from. I also see Troy's point. There are enough folks who some are not even in the craft that wear huge tokens all over the jackets and such. We need to stop this kind of junk. There are ways that we know each other without flashy neon signs. I am glad to see that you are getting into a lodge...thats great. When you get all the way through is when you need to worry about making it known and then....take it in small steps. There is the Traveling man's folder and when you get done with the third step let us know and you can get into it and view it and ask other Brothers all the things that are on your mind in private.I will say this. I can't remember where but I have seen masonic tokens painted inside a knapsack.

Just my thoughts.