Manveruon wrote:A few more notes, while I'm thinking on it:
First of all, I love how you adapted that baldric into a sword belt. Capital idea, that. Looks like it works perfectly, and the incorporated knife sheath is a very nice touch as well. Secondly, I really like your arrow-bag setup, and I totally get your reasoning behind it. Personally, I think I will soon be making a much sleeker, slightly flexible, lighter-weight quiver than the one I use currently (probably based on the ones used by the Ithilien rangers in the films), and I foresee it having much the same advantages as your arrow bag here. I think I would personally want just a little more protection than cloth around my arrows (mainly because I'm clumsy as hell), but your overall setup with it seems very practical, and I'll definitely be drawing inspiration from it. And lastly, do you happen to have larger versions of these photos anywhere? I'd love to see some of them in a little more detail.
Cheers!
It was with a heavy heart that I abandoned my quiver. I had spent a lot of time in its crafting and was very attached to it. I toyed with the idea of removing the quiver's shoulder strap and adding ties much like I did on my arrow bag for more versatile carry options. Ultimately though for every solution I came up with I found another problem waiting. The quiver is noisy so I added an internal arrow bag, then this added some weight and led to the question of why carry two containers meant for arrow storage when I could carry one and it be quiet and essentially weightless.
Also it became a matter of straps. I never allow more than three(preferably two)to cross my body and they must all go the same way so that the whole pack can easily slip on and off. My quiver added an unnecessary strap. Also it didn't multitask. Aside from carry arrows all it did was, make noise, leave my arrows exposed to weather and damage, and get in the way. I feel like rangers in ME or anywhere for that matter would throw up their hands here as well, kit has to function for the task it is used in. For me as a regular trekker that means quick easy access to all food, water, gear and weapons, quick and quiet to put on and take off, quick to break down, quick to put together, and comfortable for all terrains on long distance marches.
As far as arrow access goes I've found that wearing the arrow bag tied slanted across my back gives easy access to arrows even under my cloak. This is also the way arrow bags where often worn historically. The main focus of my pack is quick, quiet travel through the woods more than combat archery. If my need was so urgent as to need it straight away it is likely the bow wouldn't be the best choice anyway. I would also have to stop to string it and by that time the fighting would be hand to hand. When it comes to ranging the bow to me is a weapon used from the cover of the woods but not
in the woods. It is a distance weapon best deployed in more open areas that allow for range or when only firing several arrows during a well laid woodland ambush. So unless Ive detected a need for them both arrows and stave will remain stored for travel. Just my two pence.
I do have the photos in a larger size and would be glad to share them. In fact I plan on having my current wiki write up deleted and using these and others not yet added for the new write up. Anything else you would like to know please don't hesitate to ask.
"Lonely men are we, Rangers of the wild, hunters – but hunters ever of the servants of the Enemy."
“My cuts, short or long, don’t go wrong.â€