Search found 512 matches

by E.MacKermak
Wed May 25, 2016 6:11 pm
Forum: Crafts & Skills
Topic: Anybody interested in a challenge?
Replies: 17
Views: 21483

Re: Anybody interested in a challenge?

And it's underway! I'd thought I might be able to get outside after all, but as I was setting up a firepit outside the wind-with-hint-of-rain picked up, so in the modern kitchen it went: cormarye.jpg *crossing my fingers* :mrgreen: Love the mortar and pestle and all the ingredients laid out with pe...
by E.MacKermak
Wed May 25, 2016 6:08 pm
Forum: Outings
Topic: Southeast Rangers
Replies: 38
Views: 59684

Re: Southeast Rangers

If the wife will let me I will be going! I also invited a friend of mine to the event and this page as he LARPs a ranger/paladin archtype and lives in SC and loves all things Rangers! Would that be Garrett (don't know his game name)? He actually lives maybe 10 minutes from me and we had no idea. Me...
by E.MacKermak
Sun May 22, 2016 12:49 am
Forum: Weapons & Armour
Topic: The Longbow vs. Cuir Bouilli (Boiled Leather)
Replies: 3
Views: 7676

Re: The Longbow vs. Cuir Bouilli (Boiled Leather)

Interesting. I wish they had actually told us the process they used to harden the leather. Nice to see the test conducted with proper weight bows as well. 1/4" at 15 yards did better than I thought it would with those weights of bows. Add a gambeson under the leather and the attacker might have...
by E.MacKermak
Sun May 22, 2016 12:41 am
Forum: Crafts & Skills
Topic: Anybody interested in a challenge?
Replies: 17
Views: 21483

Re: Anybody interested in a challenge?

I would be up for this. I have done some campfire cooking over the years including baking apples in the body of a sweet pumpkin with a little cinnamon. It made a good dessert. I have done cobblers in dutch ovens before as well. I need to work out a few recipes soon, so I will get in on this challeng...
by E.MacKermak
Sun May 22, 2016 12:36 am
Forum: Weapons & Armour
Topic: An Overview of Leather Armour
Replies: 1
Views: 5401

Re: An Overview of Leather Armour

I have used several methods for making cuir boilli armor for SCA and it provides pretty good protection from blunt force. I have yet to try it on a test cut with a sharp sword, but I suspect it would do well. The leather I use is 11 oz (11/64 in thick) or better veg tanned. Chrome tanned and soft le...
by E.MacKermak
Sun May 22, 2016 12:26 am
Forum: Weapons & Armour
Topic: Swords Broke Quite Often
Replies: 1
Views: 5145

Re: Swords Broke Quite Often

The reason they were able to make those swords longer was from advances in metallurgy. That being said, if you take a sword and repeatedly beat it on objects it will break. There are several writings detailing swords bending or breaking during battle. Some of your better made swords (in the hands of...
by E.MacKermak
Sun May 22, 2016 12:20 am
Forum: WMA / NMA
Topic: The Longbow vs. The Crossbow Speed Test
Replies: 5
Views: 13759

Re: The Longbow vs. The Crossbow Speed Test

One thing to remember here is that neither of those two in the first video were pulling accurate bows. I am pretty confident the longbow was not in the 80-120 lbs range (though it could be) and I promise you that the crossbow was not. My wife has a period design crossbow at 75lbs and it is still tou...
by E.MacKermak
Sun May 22, 2016 12:11 am
Forum: Outings
Topic: Southeast Rangers
Replies: 38
Views: 59684

Re: Southeast Rangers

OK. Was finally able to get this set up as a public event. New event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1051429524950245/

The private event will be removed Sunday to avoid confusion.

There will be updates coming as things develop. Hope to see you all out there.


EMK
by E.MacKermak
Thu May 19, 2016 8:54 pm
Forum: Outings
Topic: Southeast Rangers
Replies: 38
Views: 59684

Re: Southeast Rangers

And so it begins!! After nailing down the basic plan, I have set up the FB event for the 1st Annual Southeastern M.E. Ranger Moot. Hopefully this will become a regular event. Details are at https://www.facebook.com/events/481804812027873/ Apparently FB did not accept that I wanted a public event so ...
by E.MacKermak
Thu May 19, 2016 8:19 pm
Forum: WMA / NMA
Topic: Scottish Targe for Wilderness Skirmishing
Replies: 4
Views: 13314

Re: Scottish Targe for Wilderness Skirmishing

I actually like the idea of a small buckler/targe type shield. I am not talking about the 30" round center grip I use in the SCA, but a small (12-18") lightweight shield capable of adding to my defense if properly used. It unfortunately adds to my list of things with only one use (like a l...
by E.MacKermak
Thu May 19, 2016 8:13 pm
Forum: Outings
Topic: Southeast Rangers
Replies: 38
Views: 59684

Re: Southeast Rangers

Due to a scheduling conflict (my local SCA group has Southern War Practice on 23-25), I am changing the date to 16-18. Working out final plans with the owner. Looking like $10 a head for any over 10 years old. Archery range and thrown weapons wall will be open. As stated the site has flush toilets a...
by E.MacKermak
Wed May 18, 2016 11:41 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Hiker Found Tied to a Tree in NC
Replies: 7
Views: 10276

Re: Hiker Found Tied to a Tree in NC

Also a good example of why it is so important to let someone know where you plan to go and when to expect you back. Without the friend it might have been too late before someone found her. Personally, I keep a good sturdy hiking stick and a good blade or two, but unless you are trained for it and ve...
by E.MacKermak
Wed May 18, 2016 11:37 pm
Forum: WoodCraft
Topic: Shelter Setup
Replies: 3
Views: 11735

Re: Shelter set up

The tarp is a 9'x9' piece of 12 oz painter's tarp. One of the things I like about it is the various ways I could set it up. With a nearby tree I could run a rope from the tarp to the tree or over a branch to support the front. I could use my hiking stick (or spear) as a single front pole. If I was p...
by E.MacKermak
Mon May 16, 2016 4:43 pm
Forum: Outings
Topic: Southeast Rangers
Replies: 38
Views: 59684

Re: Southeast Rangers

OK. Once again attempting to resurrect this idea. I have spoken with the owner and he asked when we were coming so obviously we are welcome. As posted to Facebook, there are openings in September on the site's calendar. Open dates are Sept 16-18, Sept 23-25, and Sept 30-Oct 2. I am leaning toward Se...
by E.MacKermak
Mon May 16, 2016 3:10 am
Forum: WoodCraft
Topic: Shelter Setup
Replies: 3
Views: 11735

Shelter Setup

For those of you who might not have seen it on the FB page, it was recommended I re-post it here. I have been out of sight for some time so there are plenty of you I don't know, but some recent research has re-kindled my love for the ME Ranger life. I took some time last week while I was off of work...