Ok, here is what I have been working on for the past few months. I had actually taken pics about a month ago with my cell but the pics never showed up in my email, so I was able to convince my wonderful wife to take some pics this evening. So, here we go!
Ranger pack...
Ever since I had first watched FOTR I loved Strider's kit, especially his quiver. I made a version of that a couple of years ago, but then I took a long look at his bedroll and wanted to make something along the same lines. I had been wanting to make a bag or traveller's pack for a while now but since I was taken by the shape of the bedroll, I decided to make a pack the same way:
It slings along one shoulder with a thick strap and is pretty comfortable. I still need to find a suitable buckle. The green roll is my wool cloak wrapped in two yards of green linen, which also serves as a summer cloak/spare blanket/ground cloth. This arrangement feels good on the back and makes for a good profile.
The main strap is held on by crossed saddle strings, and in turn they have thongs that lash the cloak and other items to the roll.
I used the three buckles I got at the Games to make a cover for the pack, which is adjustable and removable. The roll itself is just pieces of leather I had lying around that I pieced and sewed together.
The roll is 28 inches long and about 19 inches in diameter. I know there is a formula for figuring the cubic space but I have no idea how much area there is in here LOL
It holds quite a bit, but I'd probably use it mostly for spare clothes and the like, but I did make a sewing kit after a discussion on the forum with Greg.
It's the small round container next to the roll. I made it slightly smaller than the roll, so it fits into the roll snugly but not too tight.
I have thread, both cotton and linen, as well as needles, scissors, artificial sinew and spare cloth for repairs, as well as a leather awl and some leather cord.
Here are three pouches that I use. I didn't make the white one, it is hemp and is the first garb that I ever bought, sometime back in the mid 90's. So, it is still a part of my kit and will probably carry food. The possibles bag and the belt pouch are made with the same scrap leather and sewn with artificial sinew.
Pouch open, it reminds me a bit of the Scottish sporran.
Back of the belt pouch. I wanted it to fit a variety of belt sizes.
Back of the possibles bag, with a primitive knife and sewn-on sheath. Still not too happy with the strap on this one.
Inside of the possibles bag. I lined it with some thin leather and carry smaller pouches inside, as well as a pouch of longbottom leaf and a small backup pipe. There are a couple of pockets in there as well, glued to the interior.
A small knife project I was working on, based on a Viking knife. The sheath is of the same scrap leather, and was wet formed over the knife and it covers the knife entirely, the knife pulled out by a thong.
The blade came from By The Sword a couple of years ago and is actually a museum arrowhead, enlarged for display. I had ordered them by accident and by the time they were delivered (6 months later!) I decided to keep them for a rainy day project. So it rained
The handle was some craft wood that I had laying around that cracked when I seated the blade, but I used some glue and it's held up so far. My next knife will look better.
This cutlery set came from World Market and cost about $20.00. I thought it looked neat and picked it up.
The snapsack I made last year. Incidentally, the white cloth on which it lays is actually the same cloth it is made of. One piece of cloth, folded and folded again and sewn up. It's good for clothes and small personal items. The cloth is a bleached cotton towel sold as an embroidery item at Hancock Fabrics, retailing for around $5 dollars. It has a variety of uses for kit, but I recommend washing it first, as that bleach smell is still very heavy out of the package.
A shirt I made over the winter, using an old garb shirt as a pattern. I added the button after reading of a similar style in Viking wear.
Close-up of the button. It has a nice antique star pattern on it.
Another shirt, along the same lines.
I like the button on this one, it reminds me of Rohan in some ways.
Finally, a pair of MRL Legends of Sherwood pants that were lost in the closet for 4 years. They are of a heavy cotton, L/XL and let me tell you, they are big! The waist was elastic, so I took it out and ran a drawstring instead, so they fit much better, like a pair of baggy sweatpants.
I have one more project to tackle before Faire in October, a black shirt and then hopefully that will be it before winter. I am going to tackle boots! It was alot of fun making this year's garb and kit and would love to see what everyone else has been up to!
(For those who don't know, she's a great person too). That's some fine work you've done there. I'm on vacation this week and after working on a couple of knives, I may finish up a haversack I've been working with off and on for a while now. You've inspired me to get going. I really like the way the bed roll looks. And those other bags are wonderful.
