Wow - that's fantastic Taurinor! Like looking through a time machine. :) LeLoup - neat! Do you know when snapsacks enter the record? I've a vague memory it's English Civil War period, give or take? Or are there earlier examples? Works for Rangering either way, of course. :) I think you are probably...

Looking good Taurinor, thanks for sharing. Your comments re your equipment are worthy. We all had to start somewhere, & the more you use your gear the more it will improve with time. Have you considered using a snapsack instead of a haversack? http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww20/LeLoup2/Back...

The pleasure is mine, Keith. Here's where it gets weird. Are you ready? Monkeys, not apes, striking rocks together. Those Ancient Stone Tools — Did Humans Make Them, Or Was It Really Monkeys? It's not hard to imagine some random simian behavior turning into tool-making or fire-making. Interesting...

Keith, I just wanted to throw this in. When I describe how to create sparks with flint and steel, I am at loss to describe the movement using English words. Why? We've been making fire in this way for millenia. The truth is that the meanings of words change as our culture changes. So anyway, here i...

Elleth, one possible solution I have heard of folks doing is to wrap a length of rope about their moc, so that it goes under the arch and possibly under the ball/toes. This helps provide traction while being able to be removed/replaced easily (compared to adding on a new sole). You might even tar t...

Thanks all! Reading up a bit on hobnails, it seems the Civil War reenactors say they don't help as much as I had thought. So I suppose I'll leave them out. I'm cutting apart a set of Armstreet medieval shoes for the pattern this winter - they're about halfway in between a moccasin and a colonial sh...

To those with traditional boots - do you have any tricks for dealing with the slick soles? Most of the time I'm just fine, but I took a terrible long time trying to get down a pine needle covered hillside today - that slope was crazy slick in leather-soled mocs. After looking at several off the she...

Not sure if this goes here in general discussion or not, but if it needs moved please do so. I came across this while looking for ideas for clothing and thought it might be of use for those wanting a hood with a face mask. http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1350/0747/products/Screen_Shot_2016-09-11_a...

I have always carried a whetstone. My early stones were ones found in creek beds, but I did not find them very efficient. I have become used to using a particular method of sharpening blades, & the smaller creek stones were not practicle for this method. http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww20/L...

I very much enjoy/appreciate those videos of yours, Keith - I've watched them multiple times as part of my own learning to find/process/use punkwood as tinder. While charcloth may not be the be the most period-appropriate (if we can apply that term to ME) method of catching a spark, I've found it c...

I am NOT entering this video as part of this contest, in fact I will not be entering this contest at all. I love the idea, but I already have plenty of fire steels, & a "Pilgrim's" needs are far greater than mine. BUT, having read the posts here, I think a little more knowledge about ...

I am NOT entering this video as part of this contest, in fact I will not be entering this contest at all. I love the idea, but I already have plenty of fire steels, & a "Pilgrim's" needs are far greater than mine. BUT, having read the posts here, I think a little more knowledge about ...

Great image & good information, thank you for sharing Taurinor. I have not seen this image before, but I carry a plain one myself. Keith. Not to get too far off topic, but Karen Larsdatter has links to many extant hussifs in her 18th Century Notebook site . That site and her Medieval and Renais...

Here is something a little closer, an 18th century surgical instrument roll. Keith. http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww20/LeLoup2/MEDICAL/18th%20century%20surgical%20instrument%20case%20of%20Dr.%20Gillespie1_zpsivevaxoq.jpg L0012240 18th century surgical instrument case of Dr. Gillespie, Credit: W...