Middle Earth Ranger Forum

I managed to take a handful of pictures during today’s ranging of a few kit updates.

First up is a small belt axe I recently made myself. I’ve always tried to steer away from using terms like “hawk” in this regard to avoid any 18th century association. Yet it is noted in The Fellowship that Sam has a small axe in his pack. This is not intended in anyway to be weaponized yet could be in a pinch. Rather this is simply a fine compact tool that fits easily in the belt without getting in the way. I’ve also been expanding on Elleths recent concept of using a bedroll cover with a snapsack mounted alongside is as a pack option. Mine is heavy goatskin measured to fit my current blanket exactly. The strap is medium veg tan that ties together in place of a buckle very similar to how it is secured in the film version. The three closure ties are nothing more than long strips of the same hide. These are sewn to the back of the cover to avoid getting lost when deploying the blanket. I lined these up precisely with three of the tie off points on the snapsack so in addition to closing the bedroll they also secure the snapsack to the cover. In general it’s a fine light setup. I don’t overload the snapsack for one. All it contains here it my small copper bean boiler, some oats, a small bag of bannock mix, bacon, and a few possibles like my sewing and med kit. I had also recently finished a new small pack bow that is about six inches shorter than the one pictured but one of my friends overdrew it and it snapped I also recently crafted a more rough version of the fine waist pouch Elleth created late this summer. Mine is from the same goatskin that my bedroll cover is made from but otherwise is the same construction as Elleths original. Mine holds my firebox and striker m, a small greased bag of tinder, a small fishing kit, and 10 feet of good cordage. I also wanted to show case my new large traveling cloak. It is crafted from an medium/heavy olive green Melton wool with a large full hood. The ties are of the same fabric and started as inch and a half strips that I first securely sewed to the cloak then cut into three slimmer strips that I then braided and waxed to create the ties. When moving through the woods I simply throw the corners up over my shoulders and sometimes even pin it very similar to how I do my great kilt.

Finally I wanted to show how the new water skin Elleth got crafted looked with full kit. The full two liters are filled here. I’m surprised at how comfortable this rides. Much of the time I forgot that it was there. I’m still just so pleased with this piece. Lastly I just grabbed a few random shots from the morning. Some pics of of me cooking a small snack of oats. A few of the new pipe I made myself. The bowl is briar with a stem of Russian olive and a horn mouthpiece. I also crafted a spoon/spatula combo as my new eating tool.
And one final one of the new sword scabbard with its full suspension.

Nice kit.

Thanks for sharing.

Amazing kit, that cloak looks like a really good color and it's clever the way you make it work with the bed roll

Wow awesome stuff!

.... Oh my word. That all looks fantastic!!!

I do so wish the good Professor were on this earth to see you walking out of the mist in that kit. I'm sure he'd faint dead away, thinking a young Aragorn himself had come to call!
You look every inch the part, sir.


(Also I love the spatch-spoon idea!)

Phenomenal work, sir. I've enjoyed each iteration as your kit as evolved since joining...these are solid updates, and fitting with your previous work.

I notice you're carrying your quiver here...is this the one that fits with your pack bow? I think that's what I'm seeing.

Greg wrote:I notice you're carrying your quiver here...is this the one that fits with your pack bow? I think that's what I'm seeing.

It is indeed! I’m just waiting to finish remaking the shorter bow before I do a formal write up on the whole assembly.

Lookin' good!

I like the bedroll cover, but can't help think the with the ends open as they are, the protection it affords will be somewhat lost in a rain. Have you had to deal with that?

Odigan wrote:Lookin' good!

I like the bedroll cover, but can't help think the with the ends open as they are, the protection it affords will be somewhat lost in a rain. Have you had to deal with that?

I’ve not had to just yet. I’ve toyed with making some kind drawstring topper of dubbin infused leather to pop over the top end should weather arise. I don’t want to due to the weight increase, but I may end up wrapping my blanket in my ground cloth. Right now the oil skin just gets worn as a horseshoe.

Ursus wrote:Right now the oil skin just gets worn as a horseshoe.

Ah, right, if you can change the carriage that way on the fly the open-ended issue wouldn't be.

Where'd you get your Melton? Drapes really well!

Odigan wrote:

Ursus wrote:Right now the oil skin just gets worn as a horseshoe.

Ah, right, if you can change the carriage that way on the fly the open-ended issue wouldn't be.

Where'd you get your Melton? Drapes really well!

The wool came from an Etsy seller, Fashion Fabrics I think. It was part of a sale going for $14 a yard! Of course I promptly bought the lot of 8 yards.

Amazing work...that beautiful goatskin texture is a joy to behold.

Rob

No jerkin! Reason? Seasonal change, design change, laziness..?

Greg wrote:No jerkin! Reason? Seasonal change, design change, laziness..?

Mostly overheating. Here I’m wearing woolen pants and a wool tunic with my standard linen one overtop it. After more than a decade of use and countless coats of beeswax based dubbin applied the jerkin doesn’t breath well at all. As someone who’s body runs on high heat all the time this is not good lol.