I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
but don't know what I did. I usually wind up having to take out my
pocket knife and generally make a mess of it, leaving pieces of string
here and there. I want to know how you get the whole bunch of string to
come off in one piece. The bags never have instructions, I guess you're
just supposed to know.Thanks for insight on how this is intended to be
done.

Dan

On Jan 14, 7:15*pm, Dan Musicant ) wrote:
I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
but don't know what I did. I usually wind up having to take out my
pocket knife and generally make a mess of it, leaving pieces of string
here and there. I want to know how you get the whole bunch of string to
come off in one piece. The bags never have instructions, I guess you're
just supposed to know.Thanks for insight on how this is intended to be
done.

Dan

Just like potato bags, you need a good grip on the string. Pull the
string, the tention will/should focus on the holes made by the string
and tear at that point, all along the bag.

On Jan 14, 5:15*pm, Dan Musicant ) wrote:
I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
but don't know what I did. ...

If by "looped" you mean sewn, the trick is to start at the correct end
and simply pull the thru-stitching side thru--the backing side will be
left in place. It's simply a loop stitch (essentially like the rope
chain made by repeating forming a loop in the previous--pull on the
ends and it all comes loose.

If it doesn't come free, you're starting at the wrong end--it will
only pull from the one end.

--

On 1/14/2009 3:27 PM dpb spake thus:

On Jan 14, 5:15 pm, Dan Musicant ) wrote:

I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
but don't know what I did. ...

If by "looped" you mean sewn, the trick is to start at the correct end
and simply pull the thru-stitching side thru--the backing side will be
left in place. It's simply a loop stitch (essentially like the rope
chain made by repeating forming a loop in the previous--pull on the
ends and it all comes loose.

So I've got a related question: I have a similar problem opening bags of
concrete mix. Usually end up ripping the paper apart so it looks like a
badger attacked the bag. Is there some neat way to do this so you might
even be able to re-close the bag if you don't use the entire contents?


--
In order to embark on a new course, the only one that will
solve the problem: negotiations and peace with the Palestinians,
the Lebanese, the Syrians. And: with Hamas and Hizbullah.

Because it's only with enemies that one makes peace.

- Uri Avnery, Israeli writer and peace activist with Gush Shalom.
(http://counterpunch.org/avnery08032006.html)

A utility knife?? I usually get a pretty clean cut thru all layers of a
quikcrete bag that can be folded closed fairly neatly using a standard
utility knife.


"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
s.com...
On 1/14/2009 3:27 PM dpb spake thus:

On Jan 14, 5:15 pm, Dan Musicant ) wrote:

I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
but don't know what I did. ...

If by "looped" you mean sewn, the trick is to start at the correct end
and simply pull the thru-stitching side thru--the backing side will be
left in place. It's simply a loop stitch (essentially like the rope
chain made by repeating forming a loop in the previous--pull on the
ends and it all comes loose.

So I've got a related question: I have a similar problem opening bags of
concrete mix. Usually end up ripping the paper apart so it looks like a
badger attacked the bag. Is there some neat way to do this so you might
even be able to re-close the bag if you don't use the entire contents?


--
In order to embark on a new course, the only one that will
solve the problem: negotiations and peace with the Palestinians,
the Lebanese, the Syrians. And: with Hamas and Hizbullah.

Because it's only with enemies that one makes peace.

- Uri Avnery, Israeli writer and peace activist with Gush Shalom.
(http://counterpunch.org/avnery08032006.html)

So I've got a related question: I have a similar problem opening bags
of concrete mix. Usually end up ripping the paper apart so it looks
like a badger attacked the bag. Is there some neat way to do this so
you might even be able to re-close the bag if you don't use the
entire contents?

I stick my hand in the valve, grab the inside edge, and carefully rip
the valve out. This leaves a hole in the corner about as big as my fist.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX USA

On 1/14/2009 8:15 PM SteveBell spake thus:

So I've got a related question: I have a similar problem opening bags
of concrete mix. Usually end up ripping the paper apart so it looks
like a badger attacked the bag. Is there some neat way to do this so
you might even be able to re-close the bag if you don't use the
entire contents?

I stick my hand in the valve, grab the inside edge, and carefully rip
the valve out. This leaves a hole in the corner about as big as my fist.

Valve???


--
In order to embark on a new course, the only one that will
solve the problem: negotiations and peace with the Palestinians,
the Lebanese, the Syrians. And: with Hamas and Hizbullah.

Because it's only with enemies that one makes peace.

- Uri Avnery, Israeli writer and peace activist with Gush Shalom.
(http://counterpunch.org/avnery08032006.html)

On Jan 14, 11:43*pm, David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 1/14/2009 8:15 PM SteveBell spake thus:

So I've got a related question: I have a similar problem opening bags
of concrete mix. Usually end up ripping the paper apart so it looks
like a badger attacked the bag. Is there some neat way to do this so
you might even be able to re-close the bag if you don't use the
entire contents?

I stick my hand in the valve, grab the inside edge, and carefully rip
the valve out. This leaves a hole in the corner about as big as my fist..

Valve???

--
In order to embark on a new course, the only one that will
solve the problem: negotiations and peace with the Palestinians,
the Lebanese, the Syrians. And: with Hamas and Hizbullah.

Because it's only with enemies that one makes peace.

- Uri Avnery, Israeli writer and peace activist with Gush Shalom.
(http://counterpunch.org/avnery08032006.html)

Valve???

Yeah. If you reach into the corner of the concrete bag, you'll find a
flap that has been folded over and almost seems like it could be
pulled out and used to pour the concrete. I, like Mr. Bell, simply rip
this flap out leaving an open corner to pour from.

On 1/14/2009 8:15 PM SteveBell spake thus:

So I've got a related question: I have a similar problem opening
bags of concrete mix. Usually end up ripping the paper apart so
it looks like a badger attacked the bag. Is there some neat way
to do this so you might even be able to re-close the bag if you
don't use the entire contents?

I stick my hand in the valve, grab the inside edge, and carefully
rip the valve out. This leaves a hole in the corner about as big as
my fist.

Valve???

The valve is the opening at the top corner through which the sack is
filled at the factory. It's a short tube that pokes into the sack, and
it's open on both ends.

The filling machine inserts a tube into the valve, then injects the
contents. When the filler tube is removed, the contents of the sack
press against the valve, keeping it closed.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX USA

" wrote:

I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
but don't know what I did. I usually wind up having to take out my
pocket knife and generally make a mess of it, leaving pieces of string
here and there. I want to know how you get the whole bunch of string to
come off in one piece. The bags never have instructions, I guess you're
just supposed to know.Thanks for insight on how this is intended to be
done.

Dan

Check this out:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Susta...Gunnysack.aspx

"OPEN UP THAT FEED SACK
By Marion B. Williamson

Any livestock owner will agree that opening (or ripping apart, as is
more often the case) grain-filled bags in order to give your animals
their rations can sometimes be a moming's chore in itself! However, I've
discovered the secret to unlocking the bags. And my time-saving (and
fodder-saving) trick is so easy that even an all-thumbs homesteader will
find that it works every time!

If you closely examine the gunnysack, you'll notice that the stitches on
one side of the receptacle are "flat", while the seam on the opposite
edge of the cloth container has a knotty appearance. You'll want to face
the fodder sack so that the flat stitches are on the right-hand side as
you look at the edge of the bag. Once the feed sack is so situated, find
the first flat stitch in the right-hand corner. (This string "unzips"
the opening.) Cut this tie off at the corner and lift out the first few
loops, using a knife or a fingernail.

Next, to open the bag, grasp the just-sliced lace in one hand and hold
the opposite string on the knotty side of the sack in the other hand . .
.. then gently pull on both strands. If you're doing this step correctly,
the seam should easily unravel.

On Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:44:15 GMT, Erma1ina
wrote:

" wrote:
:
: I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
: maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
: closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
: but don't know what I did. I usually wind up having to take out my
: pocket knife and generally make a mess of it, leaving pieces of string
: here and there. I want to know how you get the whole bunch of string to
: come off in one piece. The bags never have instructions, I guess you're
: just supposed to know.Thanks for insight on how this is intended to be
: done.
:
: Dan
:
:Check this out:
:
:http://www.motherearthnews.com/Susta...Gunnysack.aspx
:
:"OPEN UP THAT FEED SACK
:By Marion B. Williamson
:
:Any livestock owner will agree that opening (or ripping apart, as is
:more often the case) grain-filled bags in order to give your animals
:their rations can sometimes be a moming's chore in itself! However, I've
:discovered the secret to unlocking the bags. And my time-saving (and
:fodder-saving) trick is so easy that even an all-thumbs homesteader will
:find that it works every time!
:
:If you closely examine the gunnysack, you'll notice that the stitches on
ne side of the receptacle are "flat", while the seam on the opposite
:edge of the cloth container has a knotty appearance. You'll want to face
:the fodder sack so that the flat stitches are on the right-hand side as
:you look at the edge of the bag. Once the feed sack is so situated, find
:the first flat stitch in the right-hand corner. (This string "unzips"
:the opening.) Cut this tie off at the corner and lift out the first few
:loops, using a knife or a fingernail.
:
:Next, to open the bag, grasp the just-sliced lace in one hand and hold
:the opposite string on the knotty side of the sack in the other hand . .
:. then gently pull on both strands. If you're doing this step correctly,
:the seam should easily unravel.

Cool, I KNEW this would probably be hard to explain in text. I've always
thought that some good old boy could show me in about 3 seconds flat how
to do it neatly and easily in such a way that it works every time, but
I've never run into the cuss. Next time I am about to open one of those
bags I'll go to this thread (likely print out all this stuff) and have
at it.

Dan

Orient the bag so the looped side is on your right. Open the end
that's facing you.

On Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:15:31 -0800, Dan Musicant )
wrote:

I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
but don't know what I did. I usually wind up having to take out my
pocket knife and generally make a mess of it, leaving pieces of string
here and there. I want to know how you get the whole bunch of string to
come off in one piece. The bags never have instructions, I guess you're
just supposed to know.Thanks for insight on how this is intended to be
done.

Dan

Dan Musicant ) wrote in
:

I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
but don't know what I did. I usually wind up having to take out my
pocket knife and generally make a mess of it, leaving pieces of string
here and there. I want to know how you get the whole bunch of string to
come off in one piece. The bags never have instructions, I guess you're
just supposed to know.Thanks for insight on how this is intended to be
done.

Dan

Those are a PITA. When I get one of anything like it, I just grab kitchen
or Wiss snips and whack the damn thing. Works every time.

On Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:55:21 -0600, Red Green
wrote:

an Musicant ) wrote in
:
:
: I know there's a nifty way to do it and any farmhand would know, or
: maybe. I frequently buy large bags of flour (50 lb.), and they are
: closed at the top with string that's looped. A few times I did it right,
: but don't know what I did. I usually wind up having to take out my
: pocket knife and generally make a mess of it, leaving pieces of string
: here and there. I want to know how you get the whole bunch of string to
: come off in one piece. The bags never have instructions, I guess you're
: just supposed to know.Thanks for insight on how this is intended to be
: done.
:
: Dan
:
:Those are a PITA. When I get one of anything like it, I just grab kitchen
r Wiss snips and whack the damn thing. Works every time.

LOL! I'm glad to see I'm not the only guy who's had problems with these.
I was feeling diffident posting about it.

Dan