Why Man?

[burrahobbit]

You may be right, Squatter of Amon Rudh. Without a direct quote I'd say that it is between "natural process" and "the rings did it." Though either way, the rings did it.

Of course it's still possible that this is a case of the sword outwearing its sheath, but there's no indication of a time-scale. They were also using their Rings regularly, and for greater things than achieving invisibility for short periods, probably hastening their collapse into thraldom.

Their rings certainly sped the process up, yes, but as I said above, they may not be the only cause.