Bag Care & Repair

Bag Care & Repair

Care and Maintenance

Waxed Canvas

Waxed cotton has many benefits; it's water repellent and abrasion resistant, all while providing an additional layer of durability-- especially useful for the active traveler. Use wax finished products while roughing the outdoors, hunting, fishing, traveling, working, and more. Or simply enjoy the look and feel of a waxed canvas bag that has aged to perfection, all while developing a look and feel that is absolutely unique to the journeys it has been on.

But... in order to uphold the effectiveness of your waxed products, a little maintenance is required (otherwise known as reproofing). This can include a simple touch-up, or a complete re-wax.

Here's How 

  1. Plan to re-wax in temperatures that are moderate to warm. This ensures your bag is at a naturally warm temperature, while the wax is pliable and easy to apply.
  2. Clean the product thoroughly. Use a clean cloth to wipe away all dirt and debris. Try to lift any stains by blotting. Use clean water only! No soaps, detergents or other chemicals! 
  3. Apply wax using your bare hands, or cloth. Apply generous amounts using a circular motion. Make sure you work it into the material, forcing the wax deep into the fabric. Give added treatment to those areas requiring extra protection: seams, joints, creases, and any areas showing greater wear and tear. We recommend Armstrong's All Natural Canvas Wax.
  4. Next, gently warm the applied wax allowing it to further seep into the material. Either hang the freshly refinished product in direct sunlight for a couple of hours, or use a hair dryer. This allows the wax to further penetrate the material and will result in a more even finish.
  5. Store in a warm place and let dry for 24 hours. Do not store near an open flame!

Re-wax as needed. Rather we do it for you? Email info@blueclawco.com.

Leather

All of our products are proudly made in Minnesota using only the finest materials available. Each item is thoroughly designed with the hope it will be your favored travel companion for decades to come.

As our products age, they will take on a warm patina that's unique to each owner. Even so, there are things you can do to maximize the life of your bag, dopp kit, and small leather accessories. Dust it periodically with a dry cloth to remove residual particulates and prevent dirt from building up. Never use harsh cleaners or solvents as they could abrade the topcoat, or the finish of the leather or canvas. Use only material specific cleaners like conditioners or waxes and always test on a small area before use. We highly recommend using something with all natural ingredients, like Armstrong's All Natural.

If your product is new, start with a leather wax. If it has already seen some use, use a leather conditioner first, then apply a wax. Going forward, wax periodically giving it a good conditioning in between.

Keep products out of direct sunlight for long periods of time, and store your product in a dust bag when not in use.

Repair Policy + Repair Services

At Blue Claw, we stand by our products. This means that we look at each repair issue on a case by case basis. If it's deemed that the repair is a result of poor craftsmanship or manufacturing defect, we’ll take every effort possible to fix the issue free of charge. If the repair is due to normal wear and tear, or misuse and abuse, or lack of proper care and treatment, we’re happy to fix the issue at a reasonable cost to you.  Unfortunately, zippers and most hardware malfunctions are not considered manufacturing defects (see the below list for other items not falling under the umbrella of “manufacturing defect”).  However, if you have a zipper malfunction or problem, please simply email us for available options and next steps.  We want your bag to be back in action as soon as possible and will do our best to figure out a simple repair solution at a reasonable cost and with quick turnaround!  Since we’d rather our products remain in circulation vs. ending up in a landfill, we'll do everything we can to make this happen.

For all repairs (whether a manufacturing defect or not), we will always first attempt to repair your product back to its original quality.  Please note, repairs are subject to the availability of parts and materials. We will do our best to achieve an exact match, but there is NO guarantee your repaired product will look exactly how it did prior to the repair. If under any circumstance we determine a product to be un-repairable, or if the cost of the repair exceeds the cost of a new one, we will notify you with additional options. 

**Manufacturing defects include stitching and assembly.

**Hardware defects include malfunctioning zippers, snaps, d-rings, buckles, and other hardware used during the manufacturing process.

Items not considered manufacturing defect:

  1. Damage through normal wear and tear
  2. Damage due to product abuse
  3. Damage that occurs outside of the product’s intended use
  4. Damage that occurs due to disregard for product care recommendations
  5. Damage that occurs due to 3rd party repairs or alterations not originally approved by Blue Claw
  6. Damage that occurs due to mishandling by airlines or 3rd party shipping companies
  7. Damage that occurs due to any and all animals
  8. Damage to Blue Claw products not purchased through an authorized retailer

Although we don’t cover damages due to the reasons listed above, we're still happy to repair your item at a reasonable charge; but obviously that depends on the type of repair needed. You can be assured that before we start any work, we will obtain your approval based on the estimated cost and time to repair.

To start a repair request, please email info@blueclawco.com and include your full name, order number if you have it, place of purchase, estimated date of purchase and a brief description of the repair needed. Customers are responsible for shipping to and from.  Please allow 6-8 weeks from start to finish.  For items deemed mfr defect, we will invoice you for return shipping prior to returning the product.  For general repairs, we will invoice you for the repair service + return shipping prior to performing the necessary repairs. 

For general returns and exchanges not concerning repair, please view our FAQ Page.

**If you purchased your Blue Claw product from one of our retailers, or some other venue, please contact them first. Some have their own return policy, others may refer you back to us. In either case, they should be made aware of the issue.