Middle Earth Ranger Forum

In our various conversations here about what makes a good reenacting kit, I've expressed the belief that an impression just looks better I think - more real - when it remains largely true to its own cultural origin rather than borrowing bits and pieces from cultures across the continent. As such, I've been slowly taking my own medicine by replacing the non-Dúnedain aspects from my own ensemble.

To that end - as much as I love love love the small foraging seax I received from Ursus a few Yulemaths back, I no longer felt that "a journey to Forochel" was sufficient cause for keeping it with my Middle-earth equipage.

A bit of conversation with our own Odigan, and...
As I wanted to keep cultural continuity with the other work done here on the forum, the overall design borrows heavily from the piece he had already made for Greg. The guard and endpiece are very similar - the primary difference being that it bears only a single-edged blade, as it's not intended to have any marital use. However, that blade allows a nice chunky thick spine for durability's sake:
At either end of the walnut handle are spacers of antler, which he expertly carved with a design that's an extrapolation of Numenorean iconography filtered through a woodland life in the late Third Age (thanks for the inspiration Udwin!). I'd had a last-minute thought of a tiny chip-carved star in the center of the handle - Odigan nixed that as he thought it wouldn't work so well, but surprised me instead with a star of steel supporting the peened blade - awesome idea!
Obviously, I'm deliriously happy with Odigan's trademark fantastic craftsmanship. Now to see if I can make a sheath handsome enough to match it before the season starts in earnest!

That's amazing

That is a purdy knife!

But what's all that green stuff it's sitting on (asks the dude in Minnesota)?

He did do a great job. Enjoy it!

Very nice knife.

Outstanding!

Wow! Nice work as always Odigan! Elleth is it just me or does the design follow that of your large seax slightly?

That looks great! Congratulations Elleth. I am a big fan of what Odigan did with the bolsters. They really bring the knife together as a whole.

The man works magic.

Ursus - the design doesn't deliberately follow the large blade you made, however I've been so pleased with the thin-but-deep handle on the small seax you crafted that I asked for much the same feel on this one. Zaskar - the bolsters are pretty much lifted entirely from the piece he did for Greg. It is a cool aesthetic!

It really is Elleth! I also really like the piece that he did for Greg. I think that they both convey what you were both going for! Congratulations once again.

Elleth wrote:Zaskar - the bolsters are pretty much lifted entirely from the piece he did for Greg.

...which were 'lifted' from the guard and pommel of my arming sword. Like we planned it or something!

So... it sure works well.

We processed one of our rams this morning, and I figured when it came time to keep the hide using an "in character" tool would be perfect...
thanks Odigan!
Now to get back to salting and scraping...

Odigan has always been pleased to hear that his pieces not only work, but are getting actual use. I'd say this counts!