MadL

( hu? can't find now who said it first - damn me aging peepers!)

The one and most truly statement be: "Who is the maker's target market?"

Of course from an artist's perspective PoD designed them as 'aged' as this is what the 'artist' sees when researching his/her project, this is what is on the museum walls, in the records, and often then not what they see in the movies.

My guess is that at least 90% here first set out to 'age' their kit, why? because that is what we see in our mind when we think how to be a 300 ot year old character. But then of course, as we go along we begin t' think of such rational things as: "Am I 300 years old, or am I portraying a character 300 years ago?"

I would have t' stand with PoD, he is th' artist and creator, his muse told him what t' make and personally I think it a fine piece, one I have book marked t' return t' me own self.

Perhaps th' proper approach would be more like:

PoD, would ye be so kind as t' consider make'n some fer us reenactors what not be look'n 'aged'? Would ye be so kind as t' consider make'n some what look 'freshly issued', perhaps even some what look 'slightly used'?

...'n then if he refuse, we will pull out th' Plank!

Chlorinated water plays havoc on all nature fibers…look what it does to blondes!

Hey! I resemble that remark!!

...uh, now what were we talk'n about?

Aye, I must concur with Capt Sterling. As I began approaching some o' me new clothing and other articles it occurred t' me; "Why would I want this t' look like it be 300 year old when I tell people I am 'living' in era? Am I time traveler or something?"

I think the more correct approach would be t' make it look 'Weathered' not 'old' or 'aged'.

Items I hang on th' wall me modern home would be 'old, ragged, and aged' but stuff in me kit should be 'worn, weathered, and lived in'.

Not GAoP but kinda interesting (plus t' put me two bits in), th' UPS Store near me be sell'n paper what looks just like that hemp paper, only it be made from.....elephant dung (aye, that be what th' package says "made from elephant dung")

Anyone want added t' me Christmas card list?

two 'n one quarter day t' go!

I will NOT however be traveling out on Friday, that could bring such bad luck as t' destroy th' entire event! I will however be set'n sail at 3am on th' Saturday morn

Sorry ye will not be there Jamaica Rose, perhaps we can stop by NQG 'n baby...er, ratsit fer Cap'n Michael a bit so be can catch a show or two

Capt'n Spareribs; I caught yer show last yarrr, even have a photo posted on MeSpace....Monkey ribs eh? I will be sure t' bring plenty o' BB-Q sauce!

WOW! A powder keg blast from th' past!!!

I just received th' follow'n e-bot:

From: Pyracy Pub <mail.pyracy.com@spiderman.dreamhost.com>

To: <igohigh@earthlink.net>

Subject: Topic Subscription Reply Notification ( Pyracy Pub )

Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:11:24 -0700

MadL,

Patrick Hand has just posted a reply to a topic that you have subscribed to titled "June 2008 Nor Cal Pirate Fest!".

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There may be more replies to this topic, but only 1 email is sent per board visit for each subscribed topic. This is

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Patrick, might I suggest ye invest...or procure...yer self a faster e-mail service!

Well, being sick did have an upside, it gave me some time t' crawl around in pain and finally get me first leather project done!

Me first shaped leather scabbard fer me stage sword - thanks for th' leather Sage Lion!

Full sheath

Close up o' th' throat

Close up o' th' tip, business end

Now I am not sure how Barbossa Leather does his exactly but I used it as me inspiration and researched some leather working ideas online.

After cutting th' leather t' size (actually 'over sized' as th' final cut be after all is sewn up) I soaked th' leather in Very Hot tap water for roughly 15min. (NOT boiling, that is another technique but I did not want t' chance it first time around).

While th' leather was soaked and workable I stretched it over th' blade and used flat wooden slats and several clamps t' clamp it down (along where ye see me sew work at).

Now mind ye, this be an Aluminum sword; for fine steel be sure ye oil it WELL before wrapping in wet leather!!! I would recommend a good thick fish oil if possible, like what steel from th' steel mill comes covered in - really messy stuff (aye, I was once a wrought iron worker, came home covered in th' stuff!)

I left it stand for a good 24 hours t' dry; times will vary but at th' time it twas about 88~96 degrees out.

After several hours I began pulling th' sword in and out and working it around, just so it don't tighten up too much as th' leather drys out.

After a day I took out th' sword and removed th' clamps, th' shape was made and holding well so I let it dry out another couple days so the inside fully dried.

(sorry I did not think t' take photos of these steps - remember, I was sicker then a dog!)

Once dried I died th' two pieces (main body and throat collar) with Fiebing's oil dye (had t' ship from Canada as California has some law against it) - mind ye; this dye dries a LOT lighter then th' swatches!! It turned out much lighter then I had wanted, even after a second coat; I will remedy that once I can get me hands on some darker dye.

The dye dries fast, I could have started sewing within several minutes, but I was sick, so I started a day or two latter.

First I fixed th' collar t' th' body with a Button Stud from Eleather Supply and anvil (aye, they have a special li'l anvil fer them studs), then I placed th' sword in and began t' sew it up with Sinew.

Now this is me first attempt at such a project so ye may notice me slight mistake; th' sword only goes in so far and about a 1/4 o' blade be exposed. This happened as I squeezed too much when I reached th' tip and was forming th' leather over, I did not notice and th' force squeezed th' blade out a tad, by th' time I notice it twas too late, th' holes had been punched and stitches in place...oh well, I be a fighter not a tailor!

Well, there ye have it; a Shaped Leather sword scabbard.

I know there were many who were aghast when I spoke of soaking th' leather, but it is actually a whole art in leather craft and much info available on th' net about it: Google up 'Leather Armor' and 'Cuir Bouilli'

As fer Barbossa Leather's concerns about keeping a razor sharp blade in an all leather scabbard, I think I have now turned he'm as well; both me Windlass POTC replica as well as me Windlass Dutch Cutlass (aye, I purchased their last one; they make them no more) are now housed in one o' he's scabbards (a bit thicker leather then what I got from Sage Lion of course, but mine just be fer a stage blade)

I have been using Montana Pitch Blend on all me own natural leathers for some time now.

http://www.mtpitchblend.com/home.html

*clipit*

What makes our products special?

Our leather care products utilize"pine pitch" which is the sap preservative created within pine trees. Pine pitch is the result of a tree's natural protective mechanism when healing itself of wounds or insect attacks. It is nature's most powerful natural preservative and gives our leather treatment products their unique anti-bacterial, preserving, long-lasting, and water-repellant qualities.

Our Leather Oil and Leather Dressing are made from our "Pitch-Blend" combination of Pine Pitch and pure Mink Oil for the conditioning and preserving of rugged leather. (Our Natural Ingredients page will help explain our unique ingredients.) The only difference between the two is that in our Dressing we add natural beeswax to form a soft wax/paste that offers the highest water-repellency of the two. (Please visit our FAQ page for an explanation on which one to choose.)

I do not think it would be well for 'polished' shoes that have shoe polish on them, and it will darken light colored leather so take that in consideration - but then just about any conditioner will darken light leathers.

I found out about this stuff from Sod Hoppers, a moccasin maker who uses all kinds of leather in his foot wear (buffalo, elk, deer, cow) and he highly recommended it. I used it on my Loyalist shoes when I first got them (th' second pair that fit) and they softened right up and after a few outtings they conformed right t' me feet; now I just give them a good brushing after an outting but mine are rough out. I use it on me belts, baldric, boots, bags, leather straps. A little goes a long way.

Aye, thank'ee fer th' additional references; been a bit under th' weather since eat'n a bit o' under cook'd kraken on Memorial Day (a day I know wish I could NOT remember!)

The Quarter Master General found me some 100% cotton damask that has served me purpose well 'n me own vest can now be seen in their own general store as a sample o' their "Waistcoat 1700-1730's Linen or Cotton". They have th' pattern dated from late 1600's to early 1700s, me final choices came down t' a 'wheat-gold' or a 'burgundy-red', both with th' same pattern (a bit hard t' see in their photo but I hope t' send them some better ones after Nor Cal).

Aye, it be cotton rather then th' linen I was hope'n for but it is a might fine waist coat fer go'n ashore when set'n t' port.

Fer them what made it t' Pirates For Children (formally CHOC), I hope ye got a chance t' meet Barbosa Leather; I was hope'n t' be there me self in order t' help him promote he's new Sword Belt but between that rotton kraken and me own daughter's graduation what was held on th' same day I just could not make it. He has told me that he has return'd t' he's home port with some orders from some o' actors that where there. Soon I hope t' be work'n with he'm again on yet another design, details still in th' works.

“Pirates who were hired by many countries, especially in times of war, were businessmen and capitalists of every background searching for a profit in the Atlantic Ocean. Governments armed pirates' ships and directed the pirates to attack ships of other warring countries. America even hired its own pirates to disrupt British trade ships during the War of Independence.”

~ Frank Lambert

hmm, well I start'd out th' yarrr at LORE, then hit all three Mallary & McCall fund rais'n events (one be'n Ojai Ren faire), then march'd in th' Swallow's Day Parade with Buccaneers of Tortuga & NQG, then it twas off fer two weekends at Escondido Ren faire (That was was GRAND!) and hit up Cutthroats in th' middle as well as squeez'd out a weekend at Irwindale Ren faire.....then I got food poison'd along th' way some where (one o' th' crew most likely) and that laid me up for more then a whole week (and lost 5 lbs, without eating!!) so that made me miss th' Buccaneer Beach Blank BB-Q; I had t' skip CHOC as me daughter graduated that day, I had plan'd on go'n for th' last couple hours but we did not get out of the auditorium until after 8:30pm so I just went t' dinner with me new dental assistant snipe (now if I can just teach her t' bring ME th' gold teeth she pulls! oh, 'n how t' fleece them patience after she puts them under!!!).

Aye, I will be at LB, but now that I be back on me feet I will first be hitt'n up Nor Cal! Thar also be that new one next month in Simi as well.

Adjustment holes in th' back? Mine came with th' standard laced adjustment in back, yer's did naught?

Remember that linen does Stretch and especially so when damp - ye did naught damp yer self now did ye??

I still be wear'n mine from them, lost a wee bit o' weight lately so I took them in a couple inches me self, just folded o'er an inch on each side an' sow'd them down.

Miss'd ye at Cutthroats, I was there all day Sunday (I think it twas Sunday?) - real let down actually, I found half th' merchants from last yarrr did not set up, other then th' one stage there was no activity at all t' speak of, Double Cross came up from th' way back fer a quick black powder demo; other then that there was really noth'n t' see or do all day other then listen t' th' Doxie Chx 'n Cherry Tarts....kinda sad, but hey, THREE events all at once over lapp'n was a bit much

$2.69.99 yesterday; $2.79.99 t'day

Well, it appears that Scotsmen in their kilts have noth'n on th' lassies:

Two women friends had gone for a girl's night out.

Both were very faithful and loving wives, however

they had gotten over-enthusiastic on the Bacardi

Breezers.

Incredibly drunk and walking home they needed to

pee, so they stopped in the cemetery.

One of them had nothing to wipe with so she thought

she would take off her panties and use them.

Her friend however was wearing a rather expensive

pair of panties and did not want to ruin them.

She was lucky enough to squat down next to a grave

that had a wreath with a ribbon on it, so she

proceeded to wipe with that.

After the girls did their business they proceeded to

go home.

The next day one of the woman's husband was concerned

that his normally sweet and innocent wife was still in

bed hung over, so he phoned the other husband and said:

'These girl nights out have got to stop! I'm starting to

suspect the

worst. .. my wife came home with no panties!!'

'That's nothing' said the other husband,

'Mine came back with a card stuck to her butt that

said......

'From all of us at the Fire Station.

We'll never Forget you.''

*HAHAHAHA*

Apparently th' good Munky has naught heard o' me reputation when it comes t' th' fine sugar cane nectar! Why I have had good pirates pass on me flask fer fear o' how many flavors me current blend may contain , I have been threaten'd not by Jack Sparrow but by captain's wives t' take me keys fer fear they think I may not be capable o' leave'n th' bar on me own two feet , I have set on account with One Hundred pirate lads in tow but only t' find I be th' only one t' reach th' gate

Now how 'bout me special blend, Sea Wynde 'n Raspberry Mead, or might that be considered...cheat'n?

Joe Pyrat; Bilge Munky got a fairly extensive list on he's site, I have not yet been able t' find all of them in me own local area yet but I keep a list in me car...er, ship, as I drive, er, sail, around town...I mean th' cape

I would like t' add Sea Wynde t' yer list! Also Sailor Jerry fer when coin be slim, lets not forget ol' Pussers as well.

::ears perk up::

I likes th' sound o' that!!

but how can we do that ye be way out thar 'n I be way out here?

"I'd step over ten naked women t' get at a pint o' good rum! Then stop 'n at each one on me way back"

Well I do not see Sea Wynde on their list anywhere them judges must have weak squid gullets t' not even put Sea Wynde on that thar list!

Aye, I agrees with th' monkey. I was hope'n t' find a new taste for 2009. At least last year they rank'd Pyrate XO

From th' Ministry of Rum:

The results have finally been tabulated and confirmed. The 22 judges tasted 65 different sugar cane spirits over two days. The results can be seen at http://www.ministryofrum.com/2009.php or just go the link on the front page of the Ministry of Rum site.

note: 2006, 2007, 'n 2008 results can be found in th' lower deck o' th' page

Whada matter 1stMate, stub yer toe? Perhaps ye need a pair o' new shoes?

Well, me first out with me new, 'new' shoes be th' Swallow's Day Parade, they made it th' whole walk through then after th' parade we walk'd all about town, I then wore them all th' way home (about an hour's drive) 'n still me feet where not sore nor did they suffer any bruises or blisters! I did however coat th' bottoms with Shoe Goo as I knew th' parade route would be city street and re-soul'n them would be EXPENSIVE; th' Shoe Goo did as it should and held up well!

Since then I have worn them t' all three benefits for Mallory & McCall, wear'n them all night with never a regret nor complaint; I have worn them not one but Two trips t' Escondido Ren Faire, each with more then a fair day's walk'n, as well as t' LORE and back again t' Corona for Cutthroats faire...never once did I concern me self with any need t' remove them as they are as comfortable as an ol' pair o' sneakers they be!

However, th' Shoe Goo now be peel'n off th' bottom front o' th' leather soul, but with a shiny un-touched soul beneath; no tearing, no gouging, just as new as th' day I put them on. Guess it be time t' re-coat them - th' wooden heels however are still coated fine.

I will say however, after walk'n through some playground sand at Escondido I can assure ye that pirates did NOT wear such a shoe when com'n ashore fer battle - they Fill With Sand Within Just A Few Steps, after several steps through loose sand they Must be taken off and dump'd out! Not t' mention me test run'n through a rocky river canyon bottom and find'n that they do NOT traverse well over stone either (and I am well train'd at traversing that canyon since a wee lad - barefoot, sneaker foot, as well as sandal; but never slipped th' way these leather bottom shoes slip)

Today they still hold fast, th' stitching be solid as a rock, th' souls are hold'n fast t' shoe, th' wooden heels have not broken nor crack'd. I use a shoe brush when I get home as after a full day at faire the black turns brown with filth, but they clean up nice. Mine be rough out so they still hold a little brownish from each faire, but hey, I call that me Souvenir!

Now I did notice I have one buckle who's tongue has bent under pressure (when I say I walk faire I mean I "WALK" faire, non-stop from open t' close) but luckily I have a spare so when it become useless I can replace it.

Having already downed a few power drinks, she turned around, faced him, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Listen here good looking, I screw anybody, any time, anywhere, your place, my place, in the car, front door, back door, on the ground, standing up, sitting down, naked or with clothes on, dirty, clean . . . it doesn't matter to me. I've been doing it ever since I got out of college and I just love it."

Eyes now wide with interest, he responded,

"No kidding. I'm a lawyer too. What firm are you with?"

I think they are set good t' grow th' franchise in two direction: One with Barbossa as th' lead, after all, in th' ending of "At World's End" was it not Barbossa who sailed off with th' Pearl?

The second could be about Will's son, th' next generation o' pirate upon th' seas, perhaps his quest t' set he's own father free o' th' Pearl.

Let Jack be some cameo or somethin fer a while, or perhaps that ending scene that appear after th' credits.

See'n as how it be Disney, th' whole concept o' them nay-sayers who demand "reality" tis obviously miss-directed - Taint Gonna Happen in a Disney film gents! So how about some more sea mythology; how about some scenes with mermaids - But NOT Redhead'd ones! or some with Neptune, perhaps "The Kraken's Son's Revenge". I would like t' see them use some story lines show'n th' corruption o' government in th' days, express some more o' "why some turn'd t' piracy". Perhaps, for those purists who think Disney actually portrays reality, introduce some real or slightly off-real pirate characters...but not Blackbeard, oh I like Tech but this not be his film, perhaps Bellamy or Kidd, even Calico 'n Anne might work.

I know! Add a brand New character t' th' mix: Pirate Mad L!

::crew in th' aft begin t' shout; "AYE!"::

Me new shirt has arrived and HAZZA! Tis a mighty grand grand shirt indeed it t'is! Much more then I had expected, wonderful stitch'n, very sturdy work, wonderful ruffled cuffs, tiny buttons covered completely in detailed thread work, fancy reinforcement at all th' points me old shirt torn (neck 'v' = fancy reinforced, hip 'v' = fancy reinforced), 'n this one really be long enough t' be worn as a night shirt as well (me last one was a tad short, th' neighbors threw trash at me whenever I went outside naked in it )

Bravo Captain Sterling! Bravo Mary Diamond!

Thank'ee muchly!!

So this seem t' be a trend in Escondido??

That be why mine never leaves me head!

Spoo Diggity of The Pirate Charles has lost his hat, worse yet, it may even been Stolen!!

It is a black hat with blue trim ... and possibly a gold medallion and other flourishes on the side. it also has white stitching like "X"s across the top. it also has two bones that cross in the front. here's a picture of diggity wearing the said hat at PyrateCon, 2oo8.

You can't miss it - and no one could pass it off as their own, as it was custom fit by Diggity himself - i mean it's his BLOODY TRADEMARK HAT! if you see this hat, please help to get it back to its rightful owner.

THE PIRATES CHARLES can, of course, be contacted through www.thepiratescharles.com.

Please pass this on to all the pirates you know.