This last page has an outstanding reading list, but don't let my emphasis on research deter you from getting involved in the sport. Not everyone has to become an amateur historian to participate, but it does increase the enjoyment of the rendezvous/re-enactment experience to know the history surrounding your chosen time period.<br><br>
By adhering to the advice given by the good Captain, myself, and a few others on this list, you will gather good items that you will need without spending lots of hard earned cash. And get what you need on the first purchase as opposed to buying something you don't need and having to trade that item off to acquire a more proper one.<br><br>
J.D.<br><br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>I see that several others have posted on your question and given some good<br>
advice. I like to recommend "The Book Of Buckskinning" series put out by the<br>
publishers of Muzzle Loader magazine. I think it is up to about 8 volumes<br>
now. A new volume came out every few years over the past couple decades with<br>
the idea to answer questions such as yours. While they are not cheap in<br>
their total, going for somewhere around $16 per volume give or take a couple<br>
bucks, they are just jam packed with good useful info on virtually any topic<br>
you might be interested in concerning this hobby.<br><br>
I would also direct your attention to the work of Rex Allen Norman who has<br>
added to the Mt. Man Sketch Book series (a less expensive series of magazine<br>
sized books that deal with virtually every type of Persona from the<br>
matchlock era to the Mt. Man era). Rex has come up with a fairly well<br>
researched "sketch book" on specifically the Mt. Man, what his gear was<br>
like, what he wore, what he shot, on and on. It's probably the cheapest bit<br>
of info you could come up with right off.<br><br>
Most of the suttlers that you would find at Rendezvous or on line will sell<br>
such books and more. I'll add that one in your position might do some<br>
reading before doing any buying or making. Though you can make most of your<br>
gear, you can also make gear that is not correct to the period by copying<br>
what you see at most rendezvous/shoots. A lot of new information has come<br>
out in recent years on what it really was like way back but many already<br>
have spent much time, effort and not a little money on their gear and are<br>
loath to throw it out and make new. You won't hurt yourself by going slow.<br><br>
YMOS<br>
Capt. Lahti'<br><br>
<br>
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Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 23:12:00 -0700 (MST)
From: beaverboy@sofast.net
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Beginner needs help
J.D.
Yes, that is great advice if you want to be in an outfit in a couple of
years and you were not a boy.
His boy won't care about the era by time he does all that research.
Go to a rendezvous, get a cheap outfit, have fun and get more serious
from there if you want to.
Strike while the iron is hot. The boy has the rest of his life to argue
over what is authentic and what is not with everyone.
I used to get real serious with beginners on primitive trekking and
trapping now I just want them to have fun. They will get more into it
if they enjoy it first. The boy needs to have fun and he is on a
budget.
just my opinion,
bb
> The good Captain gives good advice, but there is more.
>
> 1 Take your time.
> 2 Decide what time period and geographic area you want to portray.
> 3 Read everything you can get your hands on about that time period.
> 4 Ask more questions of KNOWLEDGEABLE people.
> 5 DO NOT take peoples advice at rendezvous for what you need. Most don't
> know beans about history, but are more than willing to sell you some
> item, or another, that you WON'T need.
> 6 Don't believe what anyone tells you about "common knowledge history".
> 99.99% of it is wrong. Ask for a source of that item or information, and
> then RESEARCH that item before you buy. Researching an item before you buy
> will save money in the long run. Especially big ticket items.
> 7 Avoid the gottahaves. For the most part, you don't gottahave nothing,
> other than basic clothing and camp equipment.
> 8 learn to sew, both leather and cloth.
> 9 buy GOOD patterns for complicated items, pants, knee britches, etc.
> Simple things like shirts or hunting pouches don't require
> patterns...usually. Depending on your knowledge of sewing.
> 10 Beg, borrow, or buy GOOD books on making clothing and equipment. Making
> your own gear is allot less expensive than buying those items, and you
> will
> probably come to appreciate good hand made items. Not to mention time and
> fabric saved by using GOOD patterns and instructions.
> 11 DO NOT mix clothing from different time periods. It looks hokey, and
> identifies the wearer as someone who either doesn't know their history, or
> doesn't care.
> 12 search the Internet for instructions for making clothing, moccasins,
> camp gear, guns etc.
>
> Here are a few sites to get you started. I like the colonial period,can
