The Armour Archive

Brother Justin

My impression was that any cording under the leather added a level of complexity to the handle that was unnecessary. I used titebond, but any pvas will bond pretty good. I was wondering if the cording under this leather was actually beneficial to the structural integrity. My impression was that it w...

Brother Justin

I've wrapped a few handles on swords for friends, and I've gotten good feedback on it's durability and appearance. I don't 100% know that what I did was actual historical construction, but my technique was simple enough and durable enough where, for me personally, it has called into question the dif...

Brother Justin

I'm not an armourer.
But I live in Woodstock
I WISH I could say, oh, yeah, it's me.

Brother Justin

Argh! TOO MANY CHOICES!

Joke. I'm going with under because I have a big head.

Thanks.

Brother Justin

The secret helmet. I've read that it was worn under Great Helms, but under great helms was also worn a mail coif (and padding and what-not) So did your knight of the 13th century with his big ol' bucket helm, wear a cap as well? Did he wear the coif over it? Anyone have any idea out there?

Brother Justin

Thanks for the advice. I got some rivets working today. I used 16 gauge wire I picked up from Walmart yesterday. Cut out about 20 4 inch bits. I soaked them in Vinegar to remove the galvanization over night. Cleaned them this morning and left them to dry, then drove to a nearby park (I live in an ap...

Brother Justin

I have the snips, and a big magnet, (good suggestion!) it's the specific wire I'm worried about.

Brother Justin

I am trying to finish a maille project I ran out of wedge rivets. I am currently using the 9mm (ish) flat wedge riveted rings that come out of India (snexports.com to be exact) SO I know the next part is easy... all I have to do is flatten some wire and then cut it into wedges, right? YAY, simple! T...

Brother Justin

Konstantin the Red wrote:Metal would have the best chance then.

What do you have in your shop that you could handle the task with?

Hides of 14 - 16 oz leather. I made a pattern Saturday and I think I'll be able to make something serviceable. I'll keep you posted.

Brother Justin

What kind of fighting are you talking about? For armored combat women don't generally need special extra protection beyond what most guys also wear. I even know one woman who doesn't wear anything but a kidney belt. The only time I ever used separate chest protection was while fencing and even then...

Brother Justin

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Brother Justin

Are there any good patterns out there for making decent chest protection for women fighters out there out of heavy leather? I've been making protective gear for my local group and I see my fellow swordfighters inadequately protected. I'm looking for good protection more than fancy looks.

Brother Justin

Rosemary is to fight the smell of BO.

I bet if sandalwood wasn't Indian and patchouli wasn't tropical, your medieval soldiers would have smelled like hippies.

Brother Justin

What about if someone wants to make his helmet because he wants to make his helmet? Take me for example, I know that making my helmet is probably going to be just as expensive as buying commission, but I'm so particular about what I want my helmet to look like, I would rather just make it then get s...

Brother Justin

I've decided I'm going to have one of these....

Brother Justin

I say spend the extra cash and get a pair of quality biker gauntlets. You'll get a thicker leather that will last longer and in the long run it will be more comfortable. My preference is foxcreek leather. Go for Elkskin! COMFY!

Brother Justin

I beg to differ

Brother Justin

I have a wide hand as well, if previous deal falls through, PM me!

Brother Justin

Thanks everyone for the replies, I have a plan now... just need to find the steel. 'Find it' being the operative term. I already have everything else except the nails I'm going to use for rivets.

If y'all are interested, I'll keep you posted.

Brother Justin

Don't rule out using canvas for the shell either, or even a linen/wool combination. It is cheaper than leather and I admit I like the look of it a great deal. Just a thought. I would also suggest 18ga steel. 20 seems a bit light, to me. I would worry that normal wear-and-tear could deform 20ga plat...

Brother Justin

Benedek wrote:
Brother Justin wrote:spring steel banding?

Very interesting, I should hit the scrap yard. Has anyone found it to be 1" to 1 1/2" inches thick?

-J
Not THICK but wide.

Indeed, wide. I'm not the Hulk.

Landscape supply... good idea. I shall have to hit the yellow pages and go on safari.

Brother Justin

spring steel banding?

Very interesting, I should hit the scrap yard. Has anyone found it to be 1" to 1 1/2" inches thick?

-J

Brother Justin

So I'm hoping that someone with the know-how is feeling generous. I am starting the planning stages on a coat of Whisby plates. I like the look of this: http://www.hoashantverk.se/hantverk/hoas_rustningar/source/suit_of_armour_no_24_front.html So the questions that I have are: 1) How thick do the me...

Brother Justin

My head's too big.

Brother Justin

How did you get the brass edging in the holes on the side and top of the helm?

Brother Justin

Schwing!!

VRIN, I love that helmet.

Can you provide any more details to it's construction?

Brother Justin

And the next question is what period are you intending for the gambeson? I have two, one for early 15th C and one for early 13th C and the two have really different looks to them.

Brother Justin

I got mine at snexports.com

Decent quality, bizarro customer service, but both of my orders arrived in a reasonable amount of time.

Brother Justin

What about leaving your metal out in the summer sun? That should get it hot enough to warm it up and dry it off.

I'm going to try lanoguard on my maille.

Brother Justin

Looks great. I'm still stockpiling for 30 layers of linen myself. I only need about 60 to 70 yards of it...

Brother Justin

Your shoulders aren't square but you have a square shirt. If you reduce the number of rings in the front it won't sag.

Is that shirt not bound under your arm? It looks like it's a maille poncho.

Brother Justin

Did you use batting or did you use 30 layers of linen?

Brother Justin

If your dad is selling antique wheels, let me know. I'm a bit of a collector.

Brother Justin

What kinds of things have you taken in trade? (Looks around to see if there's anything worth anything in his apartment.)

Brother Justin

Bob Newhart talked about this too.

http://popup.lala.com/popup/360569449467839355

Re: Sword Hilt Construction Research Question

Sword Hilt Construction Research Question

Re: lf armourer northern IL

Re: Cervelliere: over or under a mail coif?

Cervelliere: over or under a mail coif?

Re: Maille rings - rivet question

Re: Maille rings - rivet question

Maille rings - rivet question

Re: Female Chest Protection

Re: Female Chest Protection

Re: Female Chest Protection

Female Chest Protection

Google-fu has failed me on my whisby research