Ghillie suit questions

S

StevenF

New member
I got a ghillie suit kit on monday and I was in a big hurry to get it done so I could use it this week but little did I know how tedious one of these things are to put together. I bet I have close to 40 hours of work on this thing and it's finally almost done. Questions:

I didn't realize the jute thread would have such a strong odor. Will the odor fade over time or is there something I can do to at least minimize it?

Also, what I have right now is a full length poncho. It covers me all the way to the ground if I'm standing and I'm probably goind to cut some off the bottom. You guys that have used them have any suggestions on how much is really needed? This thing is alot heavier than I thought it would be so I'm looking to trim off what is not needed.

All I can say is what a project!
 
Here's what I did after many, many suits that helped a lot...

You're not gonna like this but it will work...

Take your suit, cover it with dirt and then spray it down with a hose. Let it hang dry for a couple days outside, you can also take it and put it in a bucket w/ some water and mud to work in the dirt. This gets rid of the jute smell (sometimes replaces it with a different one (ha ha)) and also helps the suiit look a lot better.

I never put any material below the elbow on my suits so I can crawl and move better as well as any material below the knee on the back.

The odor does seem to fade overtime but it takes awhile.

Thats what some pros told me to do to my suits and it has made them much, much more effective.
 
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Do a "ghille wash". Find the nearest muddy creek, get in and start crawling! Roll over a few hundered times, crawl some more. Its very iportant that the water is cold and you put your head under repeatedly. Do this for a few hours than hang your suit up to dry. This should take care of that nasty jute smell, lossen it up bit and rip free anything that wasnt tied on properly. Just an idea, might get some better suggestions along the way though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
As far as length goes, if you sit on the ground you don't need it any longer than waist high. Even if you use a stool, in many cases your legs will be hidden by brush.
This ghillie barely reaches my belt-line when standing.

IMG_1699.jpg
 
When I was in the Marine Corps we would go on "ghillie" runs. Tie it on to your belt with a piece of rope and go for a run. Usually on the beach or thru the jungle or even just down a gravel road. Helps to break in the jute and strip of the unwanted strands. As well as work on the smell.
 
"ghille wash" WETSU
Just find a mud puddle and let it sit for a bit and hang it in a tree for a few days. thats what worked for me (to could for the ghille wash and its ben a few years)
 
Thanks for the replies. I hated to trim it up after spending so much time on it but I did and now I have it trimmed up to the waist in the back and just a touch longer in the front. I guess I'll use the leftover pieces for a rifle cover or another hood that just covers down to my shoulders. Haven't really decided yet. Soon as it warms up a little I'll give it the wash and hang it out. Thanks again.
 
I just started working on one. Is there a trick for stripping the burlap into stringy strips and twine or? I looke devery where for bulk jute twine and did'nt find anything.
 
Whatever you do, don't throw it in your clothes dryer to break down the cross threads. I did that when I built my original from cut burlap straps. I pulled out a wad of jute twice the size of a basketball, clogged the lint trap, and just about ruined the dryer. I'm lucky it didn't burn the house down. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

On the plus side, it was effective on the ghillie.

I built mine over 10 years ago....and it still smells strong of burlap.

Tony
 
Celtic, one way to get the Burlap to fray is take the strips and put them in some warm water and just thrash them around for a good while.

When you take them out they will be much easier to strip then. It also helps weather the burlap as well. Another way is after you have tied your strips to the suit is to drag it behind a truck.

I prefer to leave my suits a little chunky though. I despise the "Wookie" on suits that are all strand. The suits look better with some chunk and "dredded" cord to them. The methods I suggested after tying in cut burlap fabric strips should help you get a good balance between the strip/chunk suit.

With Ghillies don't be afraid to experiment.
 
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Tony, I actually thought about doing just that until I read how flamable the jute thread was. Then I took a strand and put a match to it and Poof. The stuff goes up like it's soaked with fuel. Therefore I decided the dryer was a no go.
 
I built one over the summer and it took about 40 hours to complete. I am going to trim it down when it I get it back. I also added thread from camo burlap which I bought at walmart and cut in four parts.
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I was thinking (dangerous, I know).

It's not a good idea to put the burlap in the washer because it ties itself into a big knot. Has anyone tried putting it inside a mesh laundry bag, or pillow case to wash it?

A couple three washes with some baking soda could only help get the smell out and it might help with the stripping as well.
 
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Ok, tested it out. I put a couple of yards of burlap into my girlfriends lingerie bag and washed it twice and dried it on gentle.

It does'nt smell nearly as bad, and it's coming apart a bit easier. No knotting at all! Although I may have to buy a new bag for her..lol
 


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