Ranger Stuff

So, the first portion of hunting season is always archery. For me, this means medieval/Tolkien Ranger kit. There is little real difference between them and I always ensure that when I go, anything not specifically medieval is well hidden or removable; if I take game then I have to get a photo of it for the Rangers of St. Hubert and that cannot show non-medieval gear or clothing. The camera needs hiding too of course, along with its tripod.

As a result of this, the current gear projects revolve around my medieval Ranger kit. Non-Colonial.

New arrows to be cut, painted, crested, fletched, and pointed. Bowstrings to be made. Bows to inspect and examine, practice to be increased. Additionally, there is the scouting of the various hunting areas that is an absolute must for hunting. There's also clothing to be mended and made.

There will be pics, at some point. ;)

In one area I can actually camp over to hunt so there may be some 'in camp' pics too. They would be the first from me. Rhovannion takes a lot of patrolling ya know. ;)

I am adding a heel cup and toe cover to my soft high moccasin boots. I am also adding leather to close off the pierced lacing holes. They'll be replaced with leather lacing 'eyelets' (leather covered lengths of brass tube) and as part of the general reinforcement a leather 'flap' will be added that will cover the calf portion of the lacing and buckle to the outside of the leg. Too, a 'cuff' will be added to the top of the boot, split and set so as to buckle on the outside too. The laces will get a fair bit of protection, the shin too, and that's a good thing. I am debating adding to the soles. These are the famous (or infamous) Minnetonka specials with the fringe cut off. They have sponge type soles. Taking them off is a royal bitch, as I have cause to know, so what I may do is use Barge cement to loosen them, or to simply glue layers of leather over them, anchoring with tunnel stitching. If I did this, I'd probably 'cap' it all with a buckskin piece that stitched to the upper. Hard to visualize I know, but I will get pics of this so fear not. All of this should lengthen the useful life of these boots...and the older pair has already been dismantled for pattern making. I like the way these wear, obviously.

I also need to rework one of my pouches and this requires drilling out some rivets. I used to use rivets a lot but now I sew most things since that makes it easier to field repair or to modify things later.

I think a new hood and mantle is in order and I may well make a new cloak for use with it. Perhaps fastened on the left breast with a certain six pointed star. ;)

New gloves are in order too; fingerless, with 'cuffs' that extend past the elbow and made of quilted leather and linen. The right side will have a shooting glove of reinforced kidskin as part of the piece. Both arms will have vambraces, appropriately tooled, but the left one will have an additional flap to cover the fastenings so that if I shoot wrong the bowstring won't be damaged by them.

From a fantasy perspective, I may well make a quilted skirt of leather and linen. Not really armor, it would be warm to ramble in during the Winter when worn over leggings. It could also serve as a base for a subarmalis and corselet of armor at need.

Lots of stuff to work on.

Eledhwen