Water Canteens
Water Canteens have been around since prehistory when hunters and gatherers realized they needed to carry a supply of drinking water with them on their forays and have been made of a very wide variety of materials including animal guts, leaves, gourds, wood, glass, clay and metals right up to modern plastics depending on what was available.
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With all the alleged issues regarding plastic and aluminum, a medical grade stainless steel canteen is an excellent alternative.
Replica military style canteen
- Constructed of medical grade stainless steel
- Choice of single or double wall
- Single wall is 24 oz
- Double wall is 17 oz
- Double wall keeps hot, hot or cold, cold
- Three carrier choices:
- Canvas with leather trim
- Durable nylon
- Leather
$30.00 - $150.00 $30.00 - $133.34
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It is interesting to note that the designs used for water canteens today would be readily recognized by ancient peoples the world over, even though the materials in their construction may not.
Covers serve several functions aside from aesthetics, such as:
- Protecting the canteen itself
- A readily available place to attach carrying straps
- Soak the cover so evaporation keeps the canteen cool
- If over time your canteen develops a pinhole leak, as an emergency repair, you could use pine pitch or tape from your survival kit to patch it.
- To maintain your minimum daily requirements, it is recommended that you drink one to two quarts of water per day.
- Stay hydrated, you will feel better, stronger, and more alert.
- Water is heavy. In very arid areas, you may need to carry more than one water canteen.
- Because of today's alleged environmental and health issues with plastics and aluminum, we prefer metal water canteens for their durability and versatility. You can even heat water in them if necessary. (Remove the cap if you do this to avoid an explosion.)
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The ultimate choice in water canteens is yours.
There are pros & cons to all types of canteens.
- Metal water canteens will sustain minor dents with little or no effect, however, pinholes may appear in the dents over time.
- Water canteens made from animal hide, or bladders and some plastics are light, very flexible, and easy to stow when not in use, however, they are subject to easy puncture and cracking over time.
- Canteens made of gourds or light wood cannot withstand much abuse. If you accidentally drop it when it is full, it is very subject to fracture.
- Gourd, wooden or animal hide water canteens are more appropriately used as reenactment props rather than emergency survival equipment, although they will work.
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Water canteens range in size from a small pocket flask that will hold a few ounces to larger containers that hold gallons. Making your own water carrier in the wilderness is both time consumming and work intensive. The need for a simple water canteen could become painfully obvious in a survival setting.
