Frederick Goodall, 1847: The Irish Piper:

This is primarily a three-season impression, as being barefoot in a deep snowy winter—though I do it often enough, for short periods—isn’t the best for the health of one’s feet. (But there’s always that double precedent for footwear: the Stoorish habit of wearing ‘dwarf-boots in muddy we...

If we ever get an Other Free Peoples subforum, feel free to move this. Until then... When approaching a new interpretation, I like to look for what I call ‘wildcards’, or what might more accurately be termed ‘blank spaces’ within an existing framework. As with my Woodman impression (a group ...

Wow bjaurelio! Are you sure you've never made one of these before? I wish my first leather project turned out as professional-looking as yours! Well done!

In researching references to the Fellowship's water-carrying containers, all I learned was that the four hobbit travelers start their journey carrying “water-bottles” (FotR 81) and Sam carries his through Mordor. No mention is made of what sort they were, though Frodo’s was “slashed up” (R...

Thinking about some deer bladders kicking around somewhere, I wonder if other stretchy, smooth muscles (uterus? pericardium?) might work as containers. From what I've seen, buffalo or cow bladders look to be about liter sized when full. However... here's a great video of Spanish bota making . Looks ...

I wonder if a lack of electricity could actually aid in marketability? - I read a piece a while back about 'tech sabbaticals' which are apparently a real thing in our hyperconnected Now: it's a trendy buzzword for when cubicle-dwellers unplug and avoid screens for a weekend or so. Maybe think about ...

Wow, 26?! And I thought I had it bad, having to work nineteen buttonholes for my kneebreeches. I salute you for your perseverance (and sore fingers, too, I imagine)!

Clearly you have been busy in your absence, Eothain, and it shows - your garb has improved 1000%! 8) I (and others here too, I'm sure) would love to read a breakdown of clothing and gear as you have it. It looks like you have a variety of Items hung around your belt. What are they all? For a constru...

Hmm, are you thinking about putting together a Woodman kit?? I would agree with Ringulf, though we should remember Tolkien's comments that although he has 'translated' the languages of the Northmen into Anglo-Saxon (Rohirrim), Norse (Dale), Gothic, &c., we should not assume that these groups or ...

I was just thinking the other day that it might not be a bad idea for the MERF to have a section of the forum designated for folks working on non-Dunedain (or maybe just non-Man) impressions/personas/kits. Not that we need to have a whole other set of separate subforums (Dwarf Soft Kit, Hobbit Soft ...

Wow, that seems both very small and very thick! What style shield is this going to be? My round shield is 31 inches diameter, 1/2 inch poplar wood (the boards are held together with a simple tongue-and-groove joint), and still weighs eleven pounds+. Also, for future reference, there are a number of ...

Plus, if you meet a potential recruit 'offline' (or heck, online too), it's way easier to refer them to "middle-earth-rangers dot com" (or whatever), versus the current awkward mouthful.
Ditto if we ever actively advertised.

Excellent gear and breakdown, Brett! Couple of questions: what is your cloak made from? It looks pretty lightweight but has a cool texture that 'reads' as heavier. How does the water skin wear when carried while full? I expect a couple liters on a narrow strap like that would cut into one's shoulde...

Can't go wrong with a little of Led Zep's Tolkien-tinged goodness: Ramble On https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2n9te9yI_A Immigrant Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjlJBmwF3PI Battle of Evermore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-21AtiWV3TE No Quarter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKOngTfTMs0