Real Men don't eat quiche...
They cook it, serve it, eat it, and do up the dishes.

Jean-Claude

I hope I can get this to attach, it's a rather scary incident that happened to a gentleman I know. Given the materials involved, I though it would be of interest here. ***** Workshop Accident Report by John Purdy (The following article was originally published in the "The Safety Valve" Volumn 29, Is...

I found the source, European Arms & Armour by Ashdown p.158. He dates Soilerets of cuir-bouilli at 1375. I just can't help but thinking they would end up looking like pine cone shoes.

It is a bit of interpretation on my part, and I can't find the section tonight. I thought is was pre-11th Century stuff, drawn like scales on the feet. I made the assumption it was leather. But I read a ton last night so everything has kind of blurred now.

I was looking at a book that indicated cuir bouilli scales for foot protection. Anyone know of such a thing, or ever tried to make it?

My nephew is a Latin Scholar, I've put in a request for translation. Of course, he's also a smart-a$$, so he'll probably translate it as Be Bald, and mighty farts will come from you. Hopefully I remember enough Latin to check him.

Boy do I feel stupid. I had posted looking for help with armour. One kind gentle offered his assistance. I emailed the other day to accept and expressed my hope that he worked in steel not plastic. Now I see that the kind gentle was non other than Templar Bob. Oh yeah... I can just see these belts w...

I have some hunks of metal I want to convert to stakes for whacking metal on. (Shot Put, etc...) I read in the making tools articles to use 1 inch round bar stock, do most agree? Also since I don't weld myself, is there anything I should know when looking for a shop, or what instructions I should gi...

I just cut my plates for a Visby CoP. (Cold Roll Mild) After I Whack 156 rivets I really don't want this thing rusting out from under me. Anything I can do to slow the rust down? And how period is the suggestion you offer?

Serendipity!
I like the gorget, especially because I was just asked to make one for a kind soul who is sewing my arming coat. I would love to know more. i.e. is it SCA fencing legal,materials, patterns, construction notes, finishing process...
Hey write me a book.

I just read some older posts on Horse Hair for padding. A few years ago I fixed up an old house, and threw out some old carpet pad. I could not figure out what it was made of... now I know. I have a friend who owns a stable, I asked him about collecting hair today. I think he would give it a try but...

Thank all.
Sasha I don't know Aus Tax law. Can't you do a little research while at the French Riviera and write off the whole trip as a business expence!

Frederich,
Excellent post, every time I think about starting my own business I run the numbers as you have done. Although I usually put the taxes at the top of the list. Then I go back to the office the next morning!

I look foreward to your full work on the running of a shop.

Kind of a silly question, since the armour I make is so bad I hate to wear it...
But how much could a professional armourer make once they have established themselves?
But boy, it would be nice to give up the corporate life!

Henri,
That is fantastic. I'm stealing your idea as well. Your post also really shows that a pic is worth 1000 words. You just can't describe how much better that looks than blue foam.

Anyone have a good source for closed cell foam? I feel that I should be able to do better than $9 for a camping pad. Not to mention that lovely shade of blue they are.
Thanks

I've put 1/4 inch plywood in bar clamps then tighteded them down till I get the desired bow in the wood. When the bar clamps come off spread a tom of wood glue on the face of the bowed wood, and the back of another piece, clamp them together with tons of C-clamps. Then cut to shape.