Search found 820 matches

by Kortoso
Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:58 am
Forum: Weapons & Armour
Topic: Viking-era scabbard attachments
Replies: 4
Views: 10882

Re: Viking-era scabbard attachments

Thank you for sharing this here! This provides, I think, a lot of material for "experimental archeology" - similar to work done regarding later period suspension systems.
by Kortoso
Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:53 am
Forum: WoodCraft
Topic: Of blade shapes and field craft
Replies: 8
Views: 16792

Re: Of blade shapes and field craft

Now I haven't done nearly as much butchery as yourself, and I can't clearly recall which blades I've used, except the sharpest one I can find! But I'm wondering if that historical blade most similar in form to the saex - the Bowie knife - may have survived so long on the frontier for exactly this re...
by Kortoso
Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:47 am
Forum: Soft Kit
Topic: Looking for some boot options
Replies: 25
Views: 31384

Re: Looking for some boot options

from your images, it seems you are inspired by native american footwear... Might I suggest the classic " Craft Manual of North American Indian Footwear " Why buy one pattern when you can have 50? Yes you will have to figure it out, a'la Elleth's suggestion, but patterns won't really save ...
by Kortoso
Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:35 am
Forum: Weapons & Armour
Topic: A New Scabbard in the Works
Replies: 21
Views: 28819

Re: A New Scabbard in the Works

Now that there is mighty pleasing to the eye, my brother.
by Kortoso
Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:25 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Beware the Mops and Sociopaths.
Replies: 50
Views: 58230

Re: Beware the Mops and Sociopaths.

It went from a community of people learning historical martial arts and their application, to a bunch of tournament fighters learning how to win tournaments. I see that happen in a large variety of different communities, from Renfaire to Burningman. In WMA/HEMA certainly this is a tendency as well....
by Kortoso
Sat Jan 05, 2019 6:31 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Beware the Mops and Sociopaths.
Replies: 50
Views: 58230

Re: Beware the Mops and Sociopaths.

I agree about spelling out clearly our standards. If a new person logs in and receives praise and criticism (or cold shoulders) now, they may not understand where that came from. On the other hand, if the rules are too strict, they may discourage well-meaning people who are just starting out. I'd go...
by Kortoso
Sun Dec 23, 2018 2:30 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Beware the Mops and Sociopaths.
Replies: 50
Views: 58230

Re: Beware the Mops and Sociopaths.

Our niche hobby, as Pete said, may not have anything to fear from growth, but I will say this...if there ever were a time when we were in danger of growth which could escalate things beyond our abilities or cares to deal with, that time is quickly approaching with the announcement of a Ranger-based...
by Kortoso
Sun Dec 23, 2018 2:23 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Beware the Mops and Sociopaths.
Replies: 50
Views: 58230

Re: Beware the Mops and Sociopaths.

Seems like an alternate (or negative) perspective of Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point . Small groups have different politics than large groups, by necessity. I think it has similarities to a tribal group compared to a developed civilization. Key people have invested in some aspects of the smalle...
by Kortoso
Mon Oct 29, 2018 9:36 am
Forum: Hard Kit
Topic: good flint source?
Replies: 9
Views: 18804

Re: good flint source?

Hey all! Just an update. I was out for a hike and brought my steel striker to test rocks. Quartz can be found, so thats what I was looking for. No luck. I had just about given up when I spied a flat-ish, angular, grey-tan rock about the size of my palm. I expected it to crumble when I hit it , but ...
by Kortoso
Thu Sep 13, 2018 1:12 pm
Forum: Hard Kit
Topic: good flint source?
Replies: 9
Views: 18804

Re: good flint source?

Dixie Gun Works works for me.
They sell English flints for flintlock guns, and in that same section, lovely flint chips (#FA0465) from Ol' Blighty.
They also sell a flint nodule (#FA3000) which is like a 3 pound boulder for your chipping and sparking pleasure.
Best firestones I've ever found.
by Kortoso
Sat Sep 01, 2018 5:05 am
Forum: WoodCraft
Topic: Video/Youtube Bushcraft Resources
Replies: 62
Views: 149253

Re: Video/Youtube Bushcraft Resources

Dave Canterbury has an interesting bushcraft YouTube channel. In this video, he talks about some firemaking tricks he says he picked up at a bushcraft gathering in Italy. Now, I'm always interested in how bushcraft in Europe might differ from that which we learn and practice in North America. He's s...
by Kortoso
Sun Jul 22, 2018 3:50 am
Forum: Dwarven Culture
Topic: An Adventure in Dwarven Summer Kit – Pic Heavy
Replies: 9
Views: 21722

Re: An Adventure in Dwarven Summer Kit – Pic Heavy

Excellent adventure!
Stay safe, and have fun!
by Kortoso
Sun Jul 22, 2018 3:44 am
Forum: WMA / NMA
Topic: Ranger patrol tactics
Replies: 16
Views: 33823

Re: Ranger patrol tactics

I realized that I was thinking at the problem in a myopic and self-oriented way. As do we all, brother. :) Haldir interrupted Gollum's attempt, causing Gollum to flee, after which Haldir explained to Frodo that he couldn't fire at Gollum and raise a cry, because they couldn't risk battle. That bit'...
by Kortoso
Thu Jul 19, 2018 11:08 am
Forum: Hard Kit
Topic: Dunedain snapsack
Replies: 19
Views: 37396

Re: Dunedain snapsack

Hey, everyone, I was watching the old silent vampire movie, Nosferatu, and I was watching the hero packing his bag for a trip. He's using some sort of snapsack! Now the movie was made in Germany in 1922 and intends to illustrate events occurring in 1838. The costumes look pretty accurate as far as I...
by Kortoso
Thu Jul 19, 2018 10:56 am
Forum: WMA / NMA
Topic: Ranger patrol tactics
Replies: 16
Views: 33823

Re: Ranger patrol tactics

Thank you, Grimholt! This is exactly the "on the ground" background I was fishing for. I'm eager to hear more. I think that Elleth's point is well-taken that if a total of 30 Grey Company men is all that can be gathered in haste (mind you, this is not just for a random muster, but to save ...