Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna play?
- Elleth
- êphal ki-*raznahê
- Posts: 2941
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:26 am
- Location: in the Angle; New England
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Ursus: I like it - neat!
(I also never did stitched edges to leather before seeing your stuff: now I see why y'all do it. Stiffens everything up nicely!)
In addition to herbalism, I got a little WMA-ish learning in today, though not with arrows.
I took a spear along for a short afternoon hike today, just to see how much of a chore it was in the woods. Not terrible at all - but then, there's not much undergrowth this time of year. I'd always pictured people using them as walking sticks, but in practice found just carrying the thing either over a shoulder (in open country) or in two hands "port arms" (in the woods) worked better. Makes a nice extra bit of bracing descending hills though!
I also got to play with the sword a bit - I tried the "water bottle cutting" thing I've seen done. Clearly my edge alignment (and perhaps edge sharpness) needs some work, I was batting the darn things like crazy! Backing up and trying tip cuts went spectacularly though - it was just like in the movies!
*slash*
*nothing moves*
...
*post is soaked in water from deep fine gash*
okay, that was fun.
Back to sewing now. I've got some pants to finish.
(I also never did stitched edges to leather before seeing your stuff: now I see why y'all do it. Stiffens everything up nicely!)
In addition to herbalism, I got a little WMA-ish learning in today, though not with arrows.
I took a spear along for a short afternoon hike today, just to see how much of a chore it was in the woods. Not terrible at all - but then, there's not much undergrowth this time of year. I'd always pictured people using them as walking sticks, but in practice found just carrying the thing either over a shoulder (in open country) or in two hands "port arms" (in the woods) worked better. Makes a nice extra bit of bracing descending hills though!
I also got to play with the sword a bit - I tried the "water bottle cutting" thing I've seen done. Clearly my edge alignment (and perhaps edge sharpness) needs some work, I was batting the darn things like crazy! Backing up and trying tip cuts went spectacularly though - it was just like in the movies!
*slash*
*nothing moves*
...
*post is soaked in water from deep fine gash*
okay, that was fun.
Back to sewing now. I've got some pants to finish.
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.
- Greg
- Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
- Posts: 4502
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
- Location: Eriador; Central Indiana
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Ditch the water bottles for a little while during this early part of your training...they don't have enough weight to be forgiving of poor technique (though it could be argued that this is a good thing). I'd recommend you use gallon-sized milk jugs instead. Much heavier; they'll sit still for you through just about anything short of slapping with the flat. They won't teach you perfect technique, but it gives you a target while you're building those arm muscles. After you get some confidence going, come back to the water bottles, start hitting a little faster, and work on your edge alignment in earnest. A small increase in blade speed will make all the difference on the lighter targets, as will a gentle resharpening.
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
- Peter Remling
- Athel Dunedain
- Posts: 3744
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:20 am
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
In my experience, most beginners who bat their bottles, do it because there is no follow through. Focus about 2" past your target and you should see much better results.
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Great stuff all around! Ursus: I LOVE the embellishment! It really brings a new level of authenticity to an item that was already extremely well suited to your kit. And Elleth - that's interesting info. I want to start doing some backyard cutting with both of my swords, so I'll have to bear what Greg and Peter said in mind.
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Ok, two month's in but here's what I will do:
WMA / NMA:
Learn to forge broad-head and bodkin arrowheads, and make a dozen arrows.
Crafts & Skills:
I want to up my game with casting this year. Make a furnace capable of melting bronze. Start casting buckles.
WoodCraft:
Go on at least two in-kit multiple day hunts this summer, take small game. (ok, this one does dual duty with St. Hubert's)
Dunedain Culture:
Develop design language based on Tolkien's Numeorean/Dunedain doodles. Use that in decoration of of dunedain artifacts.
WMA / NMA:
Learn to forge broad-head and bodkin arrowheads, and make a dozen arrows.
Crafts & Skills:
I want to up my game with casting this year. Make a furnace capable of melting bronze. Start casting buckles.
WoodCraft:
Go on at least two in-kit multiple day hunts this summer, take small game. (ok, this one does dual duty with St. Hubert's)
Dunedain Culture:
Develop design language based on Tolkien's Numeorean/Dunedain doodles. Use that in decoration of of dunedain artifacts.
-Jack Horner
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Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
----------------------------
Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
- Elleth
- êphal ki-*raznahê
- Posts: 2941
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:26 am
- Location: in the Angle; New England
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Now THAT sounds fascinating! I'm really curious to see what you have in mind!caedmon wrote:Dunedain Culture:
Design a series of Numenorean/dunedain artefacts.
Peter, Greg - thank you both for your advice! I'll try both!
I bet you're right! The very first one went swimmingly: after that I definitely noticed I had to control my flinch reflex, and didn't get a single good cut.In my experience, most beginners who bat their bottles, do it because there is no follow through. Focus about 2" past your target and you should see much better results.
I bet I was flinching - at least a little - just before impact and throwing myself off.
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.
- Greg
- Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
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- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
- Location: Eriador; Central Indiana
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Put on some safety glasses, and you'll tend to flinch less. Fact.
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
- Peter Remling
- Athel Dunedain
- Posts: 3744
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:20 am
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Excellent advise !Greg wrote:Put on some safety glasses, and you'll tend to flinch less. Fact.
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Well, what I have in mind is...(and I updated my Dunedain Culture skill item to better reflect it)Elleth wrote:Now THAT sounds fascinating! I'm really curious to see what you have in mind!
I want to develop a dunedain design language that breaks down Tolkien's Numenorean decorative motifs and analyses their constituent parts to enable me to easily build completely new Dunedain designs that are stylistically compatible. And then use those to inform my Ranger gear.
For example, the star in the Forum logo was an attempt to follow Tolkien's design language, but I really didn't get it very well. I misinterpreted his lotus patterns among other things.
-Jack
-Jack Horner
----------------------------
Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
----------------------------
Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
YES! I couldn't express it at the time but that is exactly what I hoped folks would do with the collection of motifs. Wonderful!caedmon wrote:I want to develop a dunedain design language that breaks down Tolkien's Numenorean decorative motifs and analyses their constituent parts to enable me to easily build completely new Dunedain designs that are stylistically compatible. And then use those to inform my Ranger gear.
Personae: Aistan son of Ansteig, common Beorning of Wilderland; Tungo Brandybuck, Eastfarthing Bounder, 3018 TA; a native Man of the Greyflood, c.850 SA
- Greg
- Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
- Posts: 4502
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
- Location: Eriador; Central Indiana
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Project sounds a touch above my head/outside my current direction with my studies...but I'll happily take advantage of it when you're done. *evil grin*
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
What Greg said, haha.
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Hey guys, for any further conversation on Dunedain design, I'm going to co-opt Udwin's Numenorean design motifs topic.
-Jack Horner
----------------------------
Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
----------------------------
Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
- Kortoso
- Haeropada
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- Contact:
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
WMA/NMA:
- I need to "dial in" my archery marksmanship. It really is sucky. There's an indoor field/proshop near me where I can get some pointers.
- I'd like to learn some Marozzo longsword and "sidesword". It looks very elegant and would be a good way to build on my Fiore knowledge.
- I need to make some videos on test-cutting.
- I want to camp out in my backyard more to a point where simplicity and comfort become so easy I can do it in the dark.
- Learn a new plant every two weeks. Since I usually go to the wild every week, all I have to do is harvest a plant from the field, take it home and identify it, and explore its uses. I'm already drying some hand-collected Mormon tea and chamomile to make tea with (in separate batches of course).
There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.
Re: Happy New Year: 2016 New Skill Challenge- anyone wanna p
Oh! I hit part of my Crafts goal this last weekend. The natural draft furnace pictured the update I sent a couple days ago was the furnace I was talking about. I'm mostly happy with it, but it might not be structurally as sound as I'd like...
Definitely melts pewter, will be trying bronze later in the summer.
If I don't trash it an build another.
Definitely melts pewter, will be trying bronze later in the summer.
If I don't trash it an build another.
-Jack Horner
----------------------------
Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
----------------------------
Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017