A functional flask made of leather and a bottle as a gift for a man. DIY leather case for a flask Care secrets and "flask etiquette"
Today we will talk about flasks: what and how these things are made, what volumes they come in, how best to choose a flask, what to pour into it, how to care for it. We also recall a few basic rules of “flask etiquette” and make a short digression into history.
“Portable bar”, “combat 100 grams”, “lighting liquid” - as soon as the people do not call a flask. A small container with precious drops of alcohol is an indispensable part of the equipment of any alcoholic esthete.
Wherever you go: on a fishing trip, on a hike, for an interview, to the theater - your personal damask in your pocket will make you independent of bars and shops, will give you the opportunity at any time to relieve stress, warm up, tune in to positive, relax. Do not forget that the flask is an indicator of style, a pretentious attribute. In short - "You can at least not drink at all, but you must have a flask!".
What is a flask and where did it come from?
The word "flask" itself is German, derived from "Flachmann", which means only "flask" in translation. "Flyakhmans" were used mainly by soldiers - during World War I they were made of glass and dressed in a cloth case. They fought, go ahead, already running - just imagine how much schnapps was spilled on the battlefields by the Kaiser's troops!
But, of course, containers of alcoholic substances appeared long before the Imperialist one. Leather, gutted cattle stomachs, wood, the shells of some fruits (eg coconut) - portable "bottles" for wine and other drinks have been made from all this since their appearance.
The flask began to acquire a modern look, presumably, in the eighteenth century, in good old France. It was at this time that the flask left the category of a practical everyday item and moved into the plane of a design element, even luxury. Silver, gold, chic ornaments, gem inlays, family coats of arms, engravings, icons are proof of this.
The main jump in the popularity of this device happened in the States, in the 1920s. At the time, alcohol could only be sold from under the floor. Someone from the future Al Capone came up with a special type of liqueurs known as "gas stations". The meaning is simple - a worker, eager to get his throat wet, enters a certain institution. Drinking on the spot was not allowed for reasons of secrecy - the bootlegger poured only "to go".
Those who wanted to refuel needed a "gas tank", or rather a "tank", which could be hidden in a pocket or behind the bootleg and carefully transported to a safe place.
After the repeal of the dubious Eighteenth Amendment, flasks remained part of the everyday life of ordinary Americans. For example, they were often found on the bodies of US soldiers who died on the fronts of World War II. They took them to Korea and Vietnam. It must have been from there that a convenient and useful object penetrated the expanses of the USSR.
Capacity and material
Many years ago, when I bought my very first flask, I was always surprised that the capacity on it was indicated not in milliliters, but in some mysterious “OZ”. In fact, there is nothing surprising here - Americans measure the volume of alcohol in ounces, equal to 29 ml with a trifle - just a small shot. The minimum volume is usually 3 ounces, the maximum is 12.
But there are exceptions. For example - miniature flasks-key rings. My friend's uncle worked at some mysterious flask production - so everything from vegetable oil to moonshine was stored in mastadont 3-5-liter flasks.
The choice of volume is a personal matter for everyone. I like 9 OZ - 255 grams. Just enough cognac to relax a little and treat a friend. A smaller, 6-ounce flask will come in handy on a hike - you can pour 98% alcohol into it, which will do to kindle a fire due to dampness, and disinfect a wound, and get a company of 2-3 adult men to drink.
Just keep in mind - alcohol, especially strong alcohol (alcohol, absinthe, undiluted tinctures) should not be stored in a metal container for a long time - there is a risk that the drink will change its taste, become "iron".
And, by the way, another life hack - “for warming up” is much better suited not for brandy or vodka, but for strong wine - port wine, Cahors. It has been tested in practice - at one time I had to work a lot in the cold. From wine it becomes warmer without prejudice to the mind. And to relieve stress, it is recommended to take no more than 50 ml, especially in extreme conditions - on a hike, etc., where it is important to maintain dexterity and clarity of thought.
Now about the material. As already mentioned, flasks are made from anything - even from glass and polymers. We will focus on metals.
- stainless steel- the most common material. Beautiful, suitable for engraving, corrosion-resistant. Compliant character. On sale most often there are flasks made of brazed stainless steel. If you want to completely protect yourself from tin, lead, acid and other solder elements, it is better to look for one welded with argon. Aerobatics - seamless stainless steel. But you will have to pay for the exclusive accordingly.
- Aluminum- also not subject to corrosion, lighter than stainless steel, but - prone to deformation, due to which the caps begin to twist worse, and precious moisture leaks. But I do not recommend aluminum for other reasons - it noticeably spoils the taste of alcohol, and not only strong.
- plain steel. There are no options - immediately in trash.
- And finally silver. This, of course, is chic - not only will silver not spoil the taste, but, according to many reviews, it can slightly improve it. Of course, I can’t imagine an adequate person who will spend over 15,000 rubles on such a trifle. But as a gift to the boss or business partner - that's it.
And yet - it is worth paying attention to accessories for flasks. For some flasks they make glass corks - maybe it's more convenient for you to drink, but I think that the cork should be attached to the body on a hinge - otherwise it will be 100% lost. If you do not like to effectively drink from your throat, it is better to purchase a set of metal shot glasses in a separate case. Take thicker - they quickly bend.
But the watering can is a very useful thing, especially when you pour the rest of the booze into a flask in the morning after drinking. I personally don’t see the point in special cases - except that, in addition to a flask, it fits, for example, a pouch or a cigarette case.
Secrets of care and "flask etiquette"
There are a few unspoken rules that flask owners follow. For example:
- Cocktails are not carried in a flask.
Only pure alcohol, only hardcore! Love ""? Carry rum with you, and mix the rest in a glass. Agree, "Bloody Mary" in a flask is not entirely aesthetically pleasing, and unhygienic.
- Only you and your closest friends can drink from the bottle.
Treating unfamiliar characters from your own flask is in bad taste. An alternative is portable glasses.
- The neck must not be grasped by hand.
And in general - the flask must be kept clean, thoroughly washing every time after it is emptied.
When not carrying alcohol, the flask should be kept clean and dry. From the inside, it cannot be washed with soap or detergent - only ordinary warm water.
In extreme cases, if some painfully fragrant or sweet, fatty drink was stored inside, you can use citric acid or a weak solution of vinegar, after which the container must be rinsed again several times and dried well with the lid unscrewed.
You can also wash the flask with… rice! Rice is a good adsorbent, it perfectly absorbs odors and flavors. A few grains need to be poured inside, add warm water and let stand for half an hour, then rinse the vessel thoroughly.
On the outside, a simple metal or wood-encrusted flask can be washed with soap or a neutral dishwashing detergent. For the skin, ordinary shoe products will do, only those that do not smell. Tin can be rubbed with a mixture of vinegar, flour, and salt, allowed to dry on the surface, and washed off with warm water.
It is also necessary to rinse a new flask several times immediately after purchase, then dry it and fill it with vodka or other alcohol, which is not a pity. If in a couple of days the drink has not changed its taste and smell, then you have acquired a good vessel!
That's all!
The article partially used materials from the site furfur.
Having reviewed the Pirates of the Caribbean once again, I was inspired to repeat the leather flask. I have several Spanish flasks in my collection and I decided to make a small one. It didn't cross my mind until my wife told me we were dressing up as pirates for Halloween. We were also going to go to Disneyland and I decided that these flasks would be a great accessory for our costumes. So, I'm starting.
Let's make a shape out of wood.
I used 10mm plywood to make the mold, but thicker material can be used to increase the volume of the flask.
I carefully cut out a piece in the shape of a flask with a jigsaw and glued and attached it with screws to the second piece of plywood.
On a grinding machine, I brought out the rounded shapes of the flask layout; you can also use a milling cutter or a rasp with sandpaper as tools. What width to leave a gap between the two parts of the form will tell the thickness of the flask used to make.
We form the skin.
Cut out two pieces of leather with a margin of about 5 cm around the perimeter. Soak the skin for about an hour in water and then place in the mold. Clamp well with clamps and leave to dry overnight. Then make the second part of the flask in the same way. At the stage of preparing a wooden form, close attention should be paid to the symmetry of the sides of the layout. The next step is to allow the two halves of the flask to be easily sewn together without any fitting.
We glue.
Once the halves are completely dry, apply leather glue around the perimeter and press them together. If you've cut out a symmetrical wood shape, this step should be easy.
We drill holes for the seam.
At a distance of 3 mm from the edge, draw a marking under the seam with a compass. I drill holes with a small drill, but you can also use punches - diamond-shaped or lowercase. With punches, the appearance of the seam will be prettier.
Shew.
I sew with a saddle stitch. This flask took about 2 meters of waxed braided thread.
Waxing.
I melt the beeswax in a water bath. As soon as the wax melts, I apply it with a brush on the flask. I pour the melted wax into the flask and shake it for about 20-30 seconds, and pour out the excess. For waxing items that will come into contact with food or water, only beeswax can be used. Never use paraffin! Beeswax is a natural product and it is safe for your health, while paraffin is made from oil - this is extremely dangerous! Paraffin can be used if you are making reenactment flasks that no one will drink from.
baking.
I put the flask on a disposable baking sheet and bake in the oven for about half an hour at a temperature of 90-100 degrees Celsius. In this case, the wax impregnates the flask through and through and the color of the flask becomes darker.
Strap and cork.
I punch holes for the strap. I bought a braided leather strap from a hobby shop. From a piece of wood I cut a cork for a flask.
Wooden neck.
Since leather will stretch over time, even when waxed, I suggest making a wooden bottle neck. You can also insert a regular wine cork into it very conveniently. I cut the neck out of a piece of wood, drill a hole in it for a cork. I glue the neck on epoxy glue.
Well, that's all, the flask is ready. Are you ready for adventure?
In this master class, you will make a flask from a bottle with polymer clay decor and putty with your own hands.
Stylish design hides simple glass and turns an ordinary container into a beautiful accessory - a worthy gift for a man. The flask is decorative in nature, withstands a slight ingress of water. So that the product can be washed and actively used for its intended purpose, cover it in two layers with yacht varnish.
Decoration materials
A flat bottle is suitable for decoration, as the decor will not look so impressive on a rounded surface. Round is best used for manufacturing. You can make an unusual one from another similar vessel.
Materials for decorating a bottle with polymer clay:
- polymer clay of different colors;
- latex putty - 200 g;
- gouache;
- starch or building mixture 4 tbsp. l.;
- dishwashing liquid;
- old eyeshadow.
Tools: stacks with rubber tips, nail scissors, roller.
Equipment: modeling mat, wet wipes.
If you want to make your own leather flask, see our other step-by-step tutorial. We also have, as well as for the transformation of unnecessary dishes into masterpieces.
How to turn a bottle into a flask
First, cover with jasper. To do this, you need to get different shades of clay.
Thoroughly knead brown, yellow, red, black and green plastic. Divide the brown mass into four parts and add the separately listed colors to each.
You should get four shades of polymer clay.
Roll each piece with a roller randomly into layers of different thicknesses.
Lay one layer on top of the other and twist the tourniquet.
Cut the tourniquet into pieces with a knife, pull each one out a little. Lay out the canvas from the resulting elements. Roll lightly with a tie roller. Jasper is much easier to get than to make.
Put the resulting canvas on the bottle.
Cut the workpiece into an oval shape with a knife. For a decorative element - a figurine of a bull, you can draw an image on paper, attach the silhouette to light brown clay rolled into a layer and cut it out with nail scissors.
To get a more spectacular relief image, mold the figure. From the mass rolled into a ball, pull out the part for the head and legs.
Fashion legs, head, tail. Stack the body of the animal.
For a metallic finish, dab eyeshadow onto the flask with your finger.
Run a random pattern with a stack and send the flask to bake under the conditions specified in the thermoplastic instructions.
A gift for a man should be brutal, so you need to add coarse jewelry. For a mixture that imitates masonry, pour plaster or starch into the putty to make a plastic mass.
To prevent the mass from sticking to your hands, pour in 1 tsp. dishwashing liquid and stir. Add some black, yellow and green gouache, mix again.
Cover the bottle with a mixture of 0.7 cm thick, excluding places covered with plastic. Stick around the lid of the flask to get the effect of a stone.
Apply a stone-like pattern with a stack. Smooth out uneven areas with your fingers dipped in water. Leave the flask out of the bottle to dry for a day or two.
If you need a sweet gift for a man, pay attention to sweets - no one will remain indifferent to such a present. Don't be afraid to give guys homemade surprises, even if they aren't perfect. The recipient will definitely appreciate the fact that you have put your soul into the work.
A master class on making a decorative flask for a man with his own hands was prepared by Natalya Neustroeva, the idea and photo of the author.
This flask case looks very nice. The principle of its manufacture is very simple. The biggest difficulty is finding a laser machine for cutting leather. You can simply order this service or make a similar perforation manually. The last option is very time consuming and requires great care, but if you really like this kind of framing, it's worth it.
materials
To make a leather flask case with your own hands, you will need:
- the flask itself;
- two pieces of leather (black and burgundy);
- sharp knife;
- awl;
- needle;
- waxed thread;
- laser machine;
- skin glue;
- leather wax;
- nail polish;
- cotton pad;
- acetone;
- soap;
- water;
- computer and photoshop;
- sheet A4;
- Printer.
Step 1. The flask was previously framed in a leather case, but it leaked over time, and it had to be replaced urgently, since the container itself was quite fragile and could be damaged if dropped without such a casing. Before work, the old leather layer and all remnants of its attachment should be removed. To do this, the skin must be finally torn off, the remaining glue should be cleaned with a cotton pad dipped in acetone and the surface cleaned. After that, the flask should be washed with soapy water and wiped dry with a waffle towel.
Step 2. Take measurements of the side walls of the flask. Be sure to take into account the few millimeters that you will need for the upper perforated piece of leather. If you do not take them into account, the workpiece will have to be redone.
Step 3. Pick up an image in black and white with a perforation ornament. Process it in Photoshop, filling the cutouts with black and making their edges as clear as possible. After that, adjust the image to the parameters you need. Along the edges, mark the slots for the seam. Print the image on paper.
Step 4. From a black piece of leather for the base layer, cut a blank of the appropriate size.
Step 5. Send the piece of red leather along with the prepared paper punch template to the laser machine. Set the appropriate parameters before work.
If you decide to do everything by hand, be sure to stock up on a very sharp leather knife and an awl. The first you will make the perforation slots, and the second - the holes for the seam.
After creating the workpiece, be sure to process the edges of the slots and the product itself. When lasered, the skin will have an unpleasant odor, wipe its surface with a damp toothbrush and lay the material out to dry on a paper towel. Flatten it first, but do not stretch it.
Step 6. With waxed thread, sew the perforated blank along the long sides of the rectangle. You can fix the ends of the threads with transparent nail polish on the wrong side.
Step 7. Apply glue to the black piece. Attach it to the flask, after leveling it so that there are no creases. Be careful with leather and glue so that the piece of leather does not deform.
