Gondorian Ranger Bracers

A set of Gondorian Ranger bracers for the LotR enthusiast. Credit to @fellandfair (Instagram) for teaching me the basics of leatherwork!

Step 1: Cut Outs

Draw design on paper, trace onto leather, and cut leather using a scalpel. Before tracing onto leather, make sure the paper version fits arm well.

Step 2: Design

Draw free hand the leaf design onto leather. No stencil was used. Don't draw too dark but don't draw too light. Erase as necessary.

Step 3: Tooling

Wet leather by using a sponge. Use a swivel knife to cut the design.

Step 4: Stamping

Use mallet and stamp to create the "leaf-on-leaf" effect. As a general rule of thumb, stamp above any horizontal lines and outside any vertical lines. A few exceptions can be seen in the photo. Leather needs to be slightly damp for this step, too.

Step 5: Straps

Choose 4 buckles and cut 4 strap sets accordingly.

Step 6: Stain

Stain each strap and bracer. I used Fudge Brown. It is more red than seen in this photo, but not as red as in the cover photo. Make sure leather has dried before doing this. Stain takes 3-4 hours to dry.

Step 7: Assemble

Use basic sewing to assemble. I used a common diamond shaped hole pattern. NOTE: sew straps onto face of bracers and not onto the backside. When you put them on, the straps will fold and hold the bracer onto your arm rather than letting them stick out a bit.

Step 8: Seal

Use a sealant to ward against future dampness. Remember sealant is a coat. Don't rub it in aggressively. Coat as much of the bracer as you can reach. Sealant takes about 30 minutes to dry.

Comments

[Elijah March]

These are cool! Me and my brother made a pattern for Boromir/Aragorn Vambraces that I just posted recently. How thick is the leather you used?

[WilliamK38]

Thanks! 5-6 ounce leather is what you want. it's thin enough to bend but thick enough to feel substantial.

[Alywolf]

Are you going to enter the costuming accessories contest too?

[WilliamK38]

I guess I could! hadn't thought about it honestly haha

[Alywolf]

Are you going to enter the costuming accessories contest too?

[Osark The Goat]

thank you for posting this! i've been wanting to make a set of these for some time now, but i could never quite get them figured out,

any chance you could include a printable patteren for both the design and the shape to cut out? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would greatly appreciate that.

[WilliamK38]

and for the design, it doesn't have to be perfectly symmetrical. In fact, even if it is symmetrical, stamping and staining might quickly make it not so symmetrical. But just start putting marks where you want certain points and intersections to be and then gracefully connect the dots. You got this!

[WilliamK38]

its not hard to make a pattern. You could even do a slightly different shape if you want. Plus, everyone's arms are different size, so there is not a one size fits all pattern. As a rule of thumb, you want the length to be from your wrist to about 3/4 up your forearm. And widthwise, the place where straps and brace meet should be just barely on the underside of your arm. Make sure you make straps long enough, so if you wear chainmail or a gambison underneath, it will still be comfortable. Best of luck!

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Amazing bracers!