Middle Earth Ranger Forum

Udwin wrote:I figure I'm a little behind-the-times, fashion-wise. ; )

Elleth wrote:Also DOH! I can't believe I didn't see that surcote you were teasing there Greg! Derp!

Greg wrote:You're right, we have nothing specifically mentioned for men. Matches are only mentioned in a Hobbit context, and then in that one description where Dwarves are said to eschew matches (even now, in the 7th age), so it's possible. However, looking at the rest of Men's cultural and technological advances vs. the tendency for Hobbits to fit into 18th century analogues, I think it's our safest bet. Tolkien showed a group of 13 dwarves, a hobbit, and a wizard with only three ways to make fire: two tinderboxes and magic, so the realistic concept of dividing up necessary gear between the group is shown, at least. We could then make a very broad assumption that the Dwarf, Gimli, would have been the most likely candidate to carry a tinderbox within the Fellowship of the Ring, but then we'd be down to 100% speculation. Aragorn, being considered the greatest traveler of their time, I'm sure could have made a fire with whatever was handy and some work...but surely an experienced traveler knew how to pack well, too. Having nothing else to go on, flint and steel fit for me.

Taurinor wrote: "Striking of matches" suggests to me that Bilbo is carrying friction matches instead of spunks or the like, which I thought was interesting, since friction matches are an early to mid-19th century technology, which is a little later than what I usually picture as Hobbit tech.

I'm wondering if they're limited to Hobbits because, perhaps, they are invention of Saruman (think of Helm's Deep's wall) and it was a way for him to generate money in the Shire in order to buy goods such as pipeweed....

Udwin wrote: So it seems the Travelers packed their own tinder-boxes, and packed for redundancy! I would assume these were dwarvish in origin.

So we know Hobbits had matches, but Frodo and company chose to bring tinder-boxes instead - maybe because they knew matches might run out, but more tinder could be prepared on the road?

Greg wrote:Finally, somewhere to put it. Putting those lunch breaks to good use!