I have decided to pick up in the near future a hand crank cobbler's stitching machine as that will make this a bit easier of a process, and I believe it would be well within the technical abilities of Middle Earth, and it will take some of the strain of hand sewing off of my back and shoulders.

I'm not actually using a pattern, I took measurements and am making it up as I go. difficult and problematic, but it will get the best fit in the end I feel. As for the tools I need, I'm currently needing something that can give a consistent arc as well as a tool that can cut on said arc better than...

so I have begun making a pair of boots out of that oiled hide that I bought. (finally, I know.) made the soles, a heel cup and have everything cut out so far, but progress is halting due to lack of tools so I will update this once I have the tools needed to continue. pictures will be forthcoming hop...

I can get pictures, but this is falling off the upper limbs, and comes off during any sort of high winds or storms. neighbor says it's a sycamore, so that's what I was going with. it's fairly thin bark, looks like it would light easily and it's nice and dry too. Edit to add pictures of bark. 2018092...

So, I have a plastic shopping bag that's got a bunch of fairly thin bark in it, it comes off the neighbor's tree all the time. it's not birch bark, I think it might be sycamore. thinking of using that as tinder in my firestarting kit when I get around to actually making one. but I have a lot of it, ...

I believe Minas Tirith would be used as it's a more secure place and can be defended easier than say, an encampment in the ruins or near the ruins could. it makes sense strategically, since we know that orcs, goblins and uruk hai are still an issue, plus all the southrons that might still be around ...

I think that a metal pen nib would be well within the abilities of a crafty dwarf to create. as for the ink, perhaps keeping ink powder instead of liquid ink that you can just reconstitute with a bit of water would be the way to go

that makes sense, no need to have something that doesn't fit with the weather. that's something I'm still learning every winter. *laughs*

I've been toying with a strider-esque jerkin. I didn't want to go as light as linen and I didn't want to go as heavy as leather, so I'm thinking maybe canvas. What do you guys think? what about a boiled wool? it would shed water and be a little warmer for the winter, if that's a concern. if not, ca...

I can, but I was having troubles seeing things a couple days ago. I had to clear out all my cookies and log back in again.

sadly, that is the case. unfortunately, I don't think anyone can prevent it from happening as long as saul zaentz and co. think they can make money off of it.

if it was done as a kind of living alternate history type thing I think it could be good, but otherwise it might ruin the narrative of the tales

that is an amazing kit, Iodo. perhaps for the mattock, a casting might be the way to go? or a collaboration with another smith?

How about all the above for everyone? I have always believed that a birthday should be something celebrated with friends, and I can think of no truer friends to celebrate with than those of us who have gathered here on this forum. I thank all of you for your wishes, it means a great deal.

thanks for that info, theowl. I wasn't too sure about how to start that.