When I attempt to use the Gallery I get a date error message.

I currently have a old wooden longbow, whose poundage is probably around 35 now, a forty lb Bear recurve and my favorite is a small Bear 50 lb hunting recurve. I also have an old Powermaster crossbow upstairs in the attic that one day I'll alter the firing mechanism to something resembling a Medieva...

The ones I was thinking of arn't currently on Ebay. The same seller is offering a slightly different arrowhead see auction 270215324981 vendor : mr7shot I've dealt with him of several occasions and never had a problem. If you are interested in the ones I mentioned earlier, pm me with your address ag...

The reason why you should use feathers from the same wing and side is that feathers from the right wing and feathers from the left wing are shaped opposite (the way they are bent), that is if you use feathers from different wings or from the same wing but cut from the opposite side they will work ag...

Hi Eric: Try www.3Riversarchery.com they have been around for a while and have a good rep. Their prices are reasonable and they have ready made arrows and all the fixings for you to make your own. There are several articles on the web for making your own. Basically the parts you'll need are wood dow...

Reviewing the sword books : I'm going to start with the ones focused on German Longsword. Medieval Combat by Hans Talhoffer, Hans Talhoffer was a Swordmaster during the 15th century and this is a translation of his fightbook. It has some great period illustrations and one can get a very good idea of...

I said I'd review some of the sites and books I listed above so here goes www.primitive.org This is an online magazine devoted to primitive living skills. While I'd didn't subscribe as the annual fee is $30 and then a $10 per issue fee, 2 of the sample articles are well worth reading. One had to do ...

I'm on vacation next week so I'll see if I can knock off a couple of sites and books. I'm expecting both a sword (atrim) and a dagger (windlass) before then so I'll have a few scabbards to keep me busy. I picked up a pair of cheap wasters too and I'd like to sand them down a bit for a more comfortab...

Be careful of wetforming around your own foot. Last year during a snowstorm I had to shovel snow for several hours and I wore by normal hikers. When it was time to go to work I put on a pair or leather boots cause my hikers were soaked. I shoveled again for about a half hour and then went to work we...

Sometimes with chrome you can take most of it off with a razor. As the chrome (during plating) adhers to the brass it forms a single layer that if you are careful can be peeled off. I did this with a huge chromed fireaxe years ago. You will still have to do some sanding but it saved me hours of work...

Different and very nice!

I'm always looking for a good inexpensive pair of footwear and I've bought a pair of over the knee turndown boot, a pair of calf high boots, several pair of production mocs (both high and low) , a pair of English made costume boots. So far the only comfortable footwear I can wear for the entire day ...

I was also thinking a combination knife/striker similar to ones used during the colonial/trapping eras might also be interesting. For those unfamiliar, they are small all steel knifes with a curved tail instead of a buttcap. The "tail" would wrap around the hand part of the way allowing th...

I know the subject of copper pots has been discussed but does anyone know in tin was mentioned in any of the Tolkien stories. The reason I ask is that tinware products are much less expensive than copper and seem to be offered in a much wider variety.

The first thing should be a steel striker for fire starting. I'd suggest you might want to devise something simple yet different than normal. A design specific to your interpetation of the Tolkien universe. The second might be arrow heads, again a slightly different design then the norm. Give your c...