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Post by brokennock on Feb 12, 2022 6:11:19 GMT -7
Traction has been bad here lately even in modern footwear.    I took a bad fall a few weeks ago being stubborn and not wearing these.....   Is there a mid-18th century version of these? I could use some images if them if available. Hoping to find a competent blacksmith to make me some. What about other tricks, methods, devices, to add traction to what is basically tractionless period footwear? |
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Post by paranger on Feb 12, 2022 8:41:32 GMT -7
 18th c. ice creepers. These are meant to be English style, but there is a French version with more rounded eyelets, as I recall. |
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Post by brokennock on Feb 12, 2022 12:10:15 GMT -7
18th c. ice creepers. These are meant to be English style, but there is a French version with more rounded eyelets, as I recall. One per foot I assume? Worn under the arch, just in front of a shoe's heel? How well do they work on frozen ground as well as ice? My fall wasn't even on ice, just frozen slippery ground. Mix of frozen earth and rock. |
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Post by paranger on Feb 12, 2022 12:58:04 GMT -7
Yes, one on each foot, just under the arch and forward of the heel, if your footware has one.
I have not really given them a shakedown in the field as yet, but folks in my unit have indicated that they are helpful even in muddy / slippery conditions, not just ice.
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 12, 2022 13:10:52 GMT -7
Very simple item to re-create, are the spike ends hardened? Affixed with a simple leather thong I assume?
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Post by paranger on Feb 12, 2022 13:25:57 GMT -7
Very simple item to re-create, are the spike ends hardened? Affixed with a simple leather thong I assume? Not sure about the forging of this pair, but would think they would be hardened. Yes, a simple leather thong for attachment. I have heard some folks talk of wraping over the arch and around the ankle before tying. |
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 12, 2022 13:32:45 GMT -7
Very simple item to re-create, are the spike ends hardened? Affixed with a simple leather thong I assume? Not sure about the forging of this pair, but would think they would be hardened. Yes, a simple leather thong for attachment. I have heard some folks talk of wraping over the arch and around the ankle before tying. Looks like mild steel strap, cut and filed. You should see a hardened line somewhere on the spikes. Would you be able to post more image's? |
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Post by paranger on Feb 12, 2022 14:04:47 GMT -7
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Post by Black Hand on Feb 12, 2022 14:51:30 GMT -7
The spikes do not need to be hardened. Work on snow or ice. They are tough on the instep, but better than packing your breechclout with snow scooting down a hill on your behind. Don't ask how I know....brrrrr!
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Post by brokennock on Feb 12, 2022 15:27:03 GMT -7
About how long are those teeth?
The teeth on my modern ones are barely longer than the thickness of my pinky finger.
I would think too long, and only placed at the instep, would make balance tough of a hard surface were encountered.
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Post by paranger on Feb 12, 2022 15:43:38 GMT -7
About how long are those teeth? The teeth on my modern ones are barely longer than the thickness of my pinky finger. I would think too long, and only placed at the instep, would make balance tough of a hard surface were encountered. About 1 3/16" |
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Post by Black Hand on Feb 12, 2022 15:53:37 GMT -7
The spikes on mine are around 1 inch. On ice, they are too long while are no problem on snow.
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 12, 2022 16:21:05 GMT -7
   It's overcast today, so I am having trouble finding good natural light, but here's my best shot... Ya looks like hot rolled mild steel, I can see the roll line down the middle. Will work just fine! I've got an abundance of that which is why I was asking about hardening. You can't harden mild steel with much success. Regular snow and ice I'd reckon no problem, but hit a nice root or rock you'll likely bend a spike a smidgen. |
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Post by brokennock on Feb 12, 2022 19:57:04 GMT -7
Went out today, modern clothing, just trying to get out and maybe get my mind and heart right. Footing was not good. Trails gave basically become ice flows, often with partial footprints and dog tracks frozen in, making footing rough on flat spots. The flow from thawing a little on a couple slightly warmer days makes hills slick. I tried to get and give an idea of tooth size for the modern set I'm using,   Pics don't always do justice.   This hill is quite a bit steeper than it looks. Getting down it was,,,, interesting. Might need to start using a staff/walking stick. Does anyone have period images of, or references to, the items in question? |
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Joe
City-dweller
Posts: 170
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Post by Joe on Feb 12, 2022 23:27:35 GMT -7
During the 17th and 18th centuries, women strapped these "pattens" over their shoes when walking outside in the mud. The flat metal rings made contact with the ground, which helped to keep the wearer elevated and provided some traction.   As for cleats, the design hasn't really changed in hundreds of years, weather it uses a thong or strap.  The dictionary of footwear lists "frosts" as spiked shoes for walking on ice. I assume these.  ![]() |
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