No wetting involved. Simply make a couple stitches on one side and place it over the bottle. Holding it tight, make a couple stitches on the other side. Continue this process alternating on each side to maintain an even tautness.

Everyone else, can someone provide a cite for matches in lotr? i dont remember that at all. Frothgar from The Hobbit-- "After some time he felt for his pipe. It was not broken, and that was something. Then he felt for his pouch, and there was some tobacco in it, and that was something more. Th...

Superiority is a very difficult thing to define. Friction fire is the fallback if one is without other firemaking tools. When a ranger has been plundered and left for dead by orcs in winter would it be simply a "fun" skill? On a more general note, Tolkien's world is not identical to Middle...

I used oversized pieces and started stitching in the middle. I stitched both sides at the same time keeping it tight the whole time. The bottom piece was done last. Then I trimmed off all of the excess.

I have successfully used a hand drill several times. Actually there are two thin sticks that are hand drills in the pic above. I would not say I have mastered it however. I would never recommend the hand drill to anyone in an emergency situation. It's just too physically demanding and materials must...

Haha, I use a similar excuse for my use of titanium tent stakes and pot, Ringulf. I consider it of elven or Numenorean work.

I made this canteen last summer. It consists of a glass tequila bottle with cork that i covered tightly in tanned deerhide.

Knives I happen to have at my desk. http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w441/erutelperion/Kit/IMAG0097.jpg Opinel folder, big Mora, spoon knife, laminated Mora, Opinel folding saw, Mora I made the handle for, Ahti leuku. I've got a thing for Scandinavian blades. My favorites are my puukko and lueku....

My kit consists of a small handreel with a line attached and a corked compartment inside, a small tin containing hooks, lures, and weights, and a spool of waxed linen thread. Not the easiest to cast, but it is convenient and has caught me many fish. http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w441/erutelper...

I have seen much about flint and steel fire on this forum. Certainly it is the most Tolkienesque method. I do use a flint and steel often but my favorite is the bowdrill. I guarantee Aragorn would have been a master of it. Items are needed to achieve a bow drill ember: the bowdrill, a slightly bent ...

Attached is a picture of my sewing kit, a necessity for any ranger.
Anyone else care to post pics of theirs?

I am Grimble Grumble. I have been a LotR fan nearly my entire life and have been backpacking for ten years. I started making my kit more "primitive" a couple years ago. Some pictures of my kit can be found at http://s1076.photobucket.com/albums/w441/erutelperion/Kit/ Feel free to ask quest...