Mad Irish Jack
40 Cal.
I was participating in the topic "Prices then and now". I posted a reply and added how the kit price started my journey into this amazing historical world that starts with a primitive weapon and can take you as far as your interest drive you. The people who helped me wanted me to repay by paying it forward (to use the modern term). My ML shop owner became a friend and helped me with instructional information and reduced prices etc. He also started me going to clubs monthly shoots. joining a couple and meeting some of the greatest goodhearted, characters in the world. I learned that letting someone know you like them and care about them and their development can be shown in many ways. Don't jump in to tell them they are doing things wrong. Tell them you know a little better way of doing something and your willing to share the info if they want it.When they figure it out, just tell them to not be self centered with the knowledge and to pass it on. I received used accoutrements the owners had no more use for but told me it might help me. I say thank you and they say if I acquire a newer or better one, I should pass it to someone who is as I am now. This is how you learn to play and pay the sport. People watching that shoot but are new, ask, "What's the trick (to whatever)?" I tell them there are no tricks. There are techniques. Some better; some easier; some harder. But learning those and finding what's your best technique is the KEY to you having success. The biggest KEY is unending practice and tweeking of the things you do. It's best to learn a persons' personality before paying practical joking around with them. Be honest, become their friend, then joke them; then Expect to get those paid back.
EXAMPLE: I have a friend that was new to the sport of Buckskinning that was at this club's rendezvous for the first time. He was artistic and was starting in scrimshaw and horn making. We met Thursday and by Sunday we became lifetime friends. My aka was "Mad Buffalo Jack", he presented me with a Buffalo scrimshawed pin medallion for my top hat. He called it a gift of appreciation for a friend.
I hunt a lot and find horns, bones small animal skulls etc. I keep some and bagged the rest. At the next rendezvous I presented the bag to my friend who said I didn't need to give these to him. I said he didn't have to give me the medallion and I appreciate that. And, Make me proud and make the bones shine bright! (mountainman language) I had a birthday mid week and attended a rondy that weekend. I'm always early arriving. After my friend arrived and we had him set up, he said I was going to be his dinner guest with some other of OUR new friends. After we'd mostly finished eating he came out of his lodge with a Large Cupcake, 1 candle and they all started singing HB 2 me. He cut it into 6 or 7 pieces (Don't remember, but not quit a bite LOL) Then he flips me this scrimed horn, Buffalo Stampede, map and my "His Horn" name with his new trademark. Happy Birthday, oh yeh, don't forget to tell me how well it works for you!" I still use it as well as a couple more he's called field test I can keep. I still give him bags of woods finds and he HAS become a Master Horner in the guild and a Master Scrimshander. I'm proud to know him. I have simular incidents with hundreds of others in the buckskinning and reenacting worlds. Just care for the sport, represent it and yourself and it will start to grow again.
EXAMPLE: I have a friend that was new to the sport of Buckskinning that was at this club's rendezvous for the first time. He was artistic and was starting in scrimshaw and horn making. We met Thursday and by Sunday we became lifetime friends. My aka was "Mad Buffalo Jack", he presented me with a Buffalo scrimshawed pin medallion for my top hat. He called it a gift of appreciation for a friend.
I hunt a lot and find horns, bones small animal skulls etc. I keep some and bagged the rest. At the next rendezvous I presented the bag to my friend who said I didn't need to give these to him. I said he didn't have to give me the medallion and I appreciate that. And, Make me proud and make the bones shine bright! (mountainman language) I had a birthday mid week and attended a rondy that weekend. I'm always early arriving. After my friend arrived and we had him set up, he said I was going to be his dinner guest with some other of OUR new friends. After we'd mostly finished eating he came out of his lodge with a Large Cupcake, 1 candle and they all started singing HB 2 me. He cut it into 6 or 7 pieces (Don't remember, but not quit a bite LOL) Then he flips me this scrimed horn, Buffalo Stampede, map and my "His Horn" name with his new trademark. Happy Birthday, oh yeh, don't forget to tell me how well it works for you!" I still use it as well as a couple more he's called field test I can keep. I still give him bags of woods finds and he HAS become a Master Horner in the guild and a Master Scrimshander. I'm proud to know him. I have simular incidents with hundreds of others in the buckskinning and reenacting worlds. Just care for the sport, represent it and yourself and it will start to grow again.
