Every Frost River pack starts in Duluth, Minnesota—cut, stitched, and built by hand with a blend of old-school know-how and heavy-duty machines that earn their keep. From the first cut of waxed canvas to the final stitch of leather, each tool in our workshop pulls its weight. Want to see where the magic happens? Here’s a look at the machines that help bring our gear to life and the marks they leave behind.

This twin-needle machine is all about precision and strength. With two needles working in tandem, it lays down clean, parallel lines of stitching that don’t just look sharp—they add serious reinforcement to high-stress seams. It’s the kind of detail that might go unnoticed at first glance, but it makes a world of difference out in the field. The double stitching helps distribute tension more evenly and holds up better under load. Plus, it lets our sewing crew move faster without sacrificing quality. For jobs where consistency, durability, and a clean finish matter most, this machine steps up and gets it done right.

The post machine stands out in the shop—literally. With its tall, narrow arm rising straight up from the sewing surface, it offers unmatched visibility and control. That unique design makes it ideal for detailed work, especially when stitching smaller components like monograms or state patches, where precision matters. The extra height lets our sewing specialists maneuver fabric more freely, getting into tight spots that flatbed machines just can’t reach. It’s not the flashiest piece of equipment on the floor, but when it comes to finessing the fine details, the post machine is the go-to tool.

The tacker machine is a real workhorse when it comes to saving time on the production floor. It’s programmed to follow a precise guide, automatically sewing leather pieces and reinforcements onto canvas with speed and consistency. What used to take minutes to do by hand is now done in a matter of seconds. The tacker is typically used early on, right after the canvas and leather have been cut, to lay down those foundational pieces. It frees up our sewing crew to focus on the more detailed work, while ensuring every stitch is strong, straight, and right where it should be.

One example of where this machine is used is on the front strap of our Shell Bags.

Capped rivets are some of the most commonly used fasteners in our shop, and for good reason. These little guys are low-profile, smooth, and finished with a rounded cap on both sides, giving our gear a clean, polished look without sacrificing strength. They’re often used where function meets form, such as on the faces of our bags; where we want the hardware to blend in nicely without any sharp edges or rough spots. The double-cap design doesn’t just look good, it also adds comfort and durability, especially in spots where hands might brush or gear might rub. Think of them as the quiet workhorses that hold everything together.

Flared rivets are all about grip and grit. Instead of using a second cap, these rivets are designed to expand at one end, creating a tough mechanical hold that binds thick layers of leather and canvas like a handshake you don’t want to break. They’re not worried about appearances—they’re built for strength, plain and simple. You’ll find flared rivets in areas that take a beating but don’t need a polished finish—like hidden reinforcements, strap joints, or the guts of a rugged field bag. They may fly under the radar, but they’re a big part of what makes our gear ready for the long haul.

Hand-pounded rivets are the toughest fasteners we use. These are set the old-fashioned way, one at a time, with a hammer, anvil, and a skilled hand behind every swing. You’ll mostly find them anchoring the shoulder straps on our canoe packs and heavy-duty bushcraft gear like the Isle Royale Pack. They’re built to take on serious weight and hold fast through years of hard use, from backwoods portages to deep wilderness hauls. When we use a hand-pounded rivet, it means we expect that piece of gear to carry a lifetime’s worth of miles.

Grommets are one of those small details that quietly do a lot of heavy lifting. These metal rings are pressed into canvas to reinforce holes, creating a strong, clean edge that resists fraying and holds up under stress. You’ll find them scattered across a variety of our goods—used for function first, but with a tidy finish that looks right at home. On our Utensil Roll, grommets let you hang it up at camp for easy access while cooking. On some of our exterior pockets, they act as discreet drain holes, letting water escape instead of pooling at the bottom. They might be small, but they sure pull their weight.