Good day Valjuen, Elleth asked me to contact you, as I too live in Australia.Valjuen wrote:Hi, everyone. I'm new to this site, but me and my cousin have been camping Ranger-esque for a couple of years.
But, seeing as we were really young, we didn't really do it authentically.
I'm restarting my Ranger gear, though still keeping some older things (a tunic I made with my grandmother, I'll post an image later; a recurve bow I bought a while ago, works really well).
But, as I'm from Australia, leather is really hard to come by, and when you do, it's not cheap.
And thus, I have to resort to fake leather.
Are there any tips on how to make fake leather look really good?
Thanks for any suggestions
Sincerely, Valjuen
Frankly mate, from my point of view, fake leather does not cut it. May I suggest you check out the second hand leather supplies available from op-shops, St Vincent de Paul & the Salvation Army shops. Keep an open mind when searching these shops, what you are looking for is clothing items that you can cut up & make into other items. Look for leather jackets, leather skirts, leather coats, leather boots. Most of my leather equipment I made from this second hand leather. You may also want to consider heavy cotton or lined bed sheets, tablecloths, pure wool blankets. All good for making clothing such as shirts or even breeches. You will also need a good wool blanket for trekking.
If you don't have a good knapsack as yet look out for those Chinese made all cotton school knapsacks. You can cut off the modern bits & easily convert it to your needs. I used one of these to make one of my sons a knapsack. Or you could make a snapsack from leather or heavy cotton or linen.
My belt pouch & fire-bag made fron second hand leather.
A scrip made from an old drover's coat.
The knapsack I converted. I added bone buttons to the flap closure & new straps made from second hand leather.
Leggings made from a second hand jacket.
Moccasins made from second hand leather.
Try & think out of the box. My period is actually 18th century, but Tolken based his world on old English, which means anything from mid 18th century & earlier should fit your persona. Don't get stereotyped in your thinking, not everyone wore calf length boots! If you are a Ranger, then you are a woodsman, think like one. Dress & equip yourself accordingly. If you are really going to practice the skills & trek in the woods, then you need to be comfortable doing it.
Contact me if I can be of any help.
Regards, Keith.
New England NSW.