Gourd canteens, and other projects.

**hunter63** · 12-06-2012, 05:52 PM

As DW is pretty big on making stuff and painting gourds, and generally I am there when she is picking out gourds that need to be worked on.......We made some finds this fall.

Found a guy that grows flat gourds, when turned edge-ways, looks like it could be a canteen.

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Now that it's getting colder outside, I started on one last night, by drilling a hole in the edge and trying to pull out the seeds and the rest of the inside "stuff".

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The flat gourds have a fluffy inside with the seeds......did try as a tinder and spark catcher, works well, although it just glows as a coal, no flame, but might be interesting.

Pictures are of the gourds and the fluff, as well as the long brass rod, screw driver, and tweezers for removing a LOT of stuff.

Hole was drilled with a small hole saw, turning backwards so as to not "catch' the skin and crack it.

Also pictured are the "apple gourds" Bird houses....that DW is working on now for gifts.

Those have a hard seed pod inside, much easier to break up and remove, the rest of the inside being really clean after they come out.

This will be a "Work in process", might take awhile.

Gourd canteen are historically correct, so just need to figure out how to remove all the fluff, and seal the inside......and make a harness to carry it.

Oh yeah, I will have a supply of seed for the flat gourds and apple gourds, so i can grow my own.

**intothenew** · 12-06-2012, 06:21 PM

This is just a knee jerk statement. Since the "fluff" will coal, maybe you can char the inside. Drop a good ember in, and use a hand bellows for air? Just a thought from the Medieval Barber.

**hunter63** · 12-06-2012, 06:59 PM

Thats a thought.....also have thought of some Pea gravel and rattle it around inside, or use a piece of steel strapping as a flexable scrapper.

BTW is did crack her yellow apple trying to get the seed pod out, grrrr, so I have some glueing to do, green on came out easlier.

**crashdive123** · 12-06-2012, 07:02 PM

Cool project. DW seems right handy.

**hunter63** · 12-06-2012, 07:08 PM

LOL, Yes very talented, and devious......"Dear, these gourds would make a good canteen, while you are at it, I need the holes drilled and the seed out and a perch....and don't crack it....etc, etc, etc."

**crashdive123** · 12-06-2012, 07:11 PM

Here's something that Beo posted a while back. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...=gourd+canteen

**gryffynklm** · 12-06-2012, 08:06 PM

Crash beat me to it. Beo's post is basically the same way I have done it in the past.

**hunter63** · 12-06-2012, 08:56 PM

I remember that thread, and was the inspiration for find the flat gourds........and so far that infor is very good, although it's easier said than done....LOL

So I am on my journey now......

**DSJohnson** · 01-09-2013, 02:23 AM

Re: sealing the inside...melt your bees wax carefully and pour in to the canteen swirling it around to coat the inside. I do this at least a couple of times/coats. It helps if the gourd is warm also. I know it is going to upset some folks here but I have always used shot to do the final cleaning of my gourds. I am positive there are much better, much safety agents to use. I just always had a sack of No. 6 shot handy. I have tried sand, gravel and even some steel shot but in the end the lead shot seemed to "fit the bill". Then I wash them out, let them dry for a week and wax them. Have you ever used a wooden canteen much? Gourds have a very unique flavor that they add to the water. Not bad just not what comes out of your tap. Again I want to warn you about being careful about getting your bees wax liquid. I do mine outside on the fire pit. Less damage potential if it gets away from me.

Always be sure and dry them well after you are though using them.

**DSJohnson** · 01-09-2013, 02:26 AM

As for a "harness for carrying them" I have come to the conclusion the simplest, best way for my use, is to sew a rawhide cover over it and attach the carrying strap to the rawhide cover.

**your_comforting_company** · 01-09-2013, 08:31 AM

How about the "bottle knot"?
I found it in one of my knot books. I'll see if I can snap a few pictures of it soon. Until then, try this video I found.
http://youtu.be/mtzP1SxvHYc