The Armour Archive

Cad's Apprentice

Personally, I'd make each and every member abide by the same rules that apply to other re-enactment groups. That an "attempt" at medieval garb (as is stated in corpora) simply doesn't cut it. ALL garb and accessories MUST be researched and, if necessarry, said research be on hand if someone asks abo...

Cad's Apprentice

"I what your saying, that was the first Pennsic I was king of the East for. Ronald " Wow, I actually remember you! I remember getting a nod from you and a few other people the day I wore it on the field. At the time I was thinking "I guess clothes (or in this case armor) really DO make the man!" Tha...

Cad's Apprentice

It was Pennsic 15 to be precise, my second Pennsic.
Man, that was like a lifetime ago.
How time flies.

Cad's Apprentice

Here is the link; http://cgi.ebay.com/japanese-armor-SCA-armour-Robert-MacPherson_W0QQitemZ6566787365QQcategoryZ43217QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem It kills me to sell it but I have much less time to devote to the SCA and to be frank I haven't worn it in over a decade. It was the first full h...

Cad's Apprentice

Wierd, not one bid yet....

Cad's Apprentice

For 20K you could get Robert Macpherson to make you a sweet set. And it would be right.
Some people have more money than brains...

Cad's Apprentice

Hey everyone! I've just purchased a hobby store (yeah, some xmas present huh?) and one of the things they carry are swords and daggars. You know the kind, the ones that appeal to gamers/collectors. Anyway I was wondering if anyone knew of a good sword distributor in either the US or Canada. The stor...

Cad's Apprentice

If you consider the movie "A Knights Tale" to be plausibly period, then yes...

Cad's Apprentice

Jeez, the B guy again...
Keep talking about him and he'll come back.
You are warned...

Cad's Apprentice

Can't be as bad as this nutjob http://www.karlofgermany.com/ I remember this guy claimng that he was 1 of only 2 armourers in North America (and the other wasn't Mac!). Amusing to see that his latest venture is rattan furniture . Karl isn't an armourer, he's a plattner. Whatever that is...

Cad's Apprentice

Nitric acid give mild steel a nice blue-black patina. And if you avoid gun bluing and go down to a stained-glass supply store, it's less than half the price. Just ask for blackening agent.

Cad's Apprentice

I think that lead is a much maligned metal these days. A few simple precautions will keep you safe (don't put it in your mouth, wash your hands afterwards, wipe down your work ect) I have found lead to be an invaluable tool in armouring and blacksmithing. What puzzles me is that people are telling u...

Cad's Apprentice

No surprises here. The man is talented with a capital T!!!

Cad's Apprentice

As an apprentice myself I say go ahead! If anyone gives you grief, then you know to avoid them. For some it's a status symbol. For the rest of us, it's the relationship we have with our masters that's important and what we learn from each other (yes sometimes the dumb kid can teach the old hand a ne...

Cad's Apprentice

Hmm, one of those ladie's armour seems to be suffering from "gap-osis" of the knee...

Cad's Apprentice

That just looks painful. Sexy, but painful.
I can't see the young lady wearing it for very long....
Oh wait... you clever dog you!

Cad's Apprentice

What brand is the anvil?
If it's a good name and has a decent ring to it, snap it up! If on the other hand it rings "dead" then perhaps you'd better reconsider. Nothing worse than a heavy decoration you can't use cluttering up your shop.
It sounds very good though.
Good luck.

Cad's Apprentice

Thanks guys, I'll give the oven method a try. I'll start on a piece of scrap first and see how it turns out.

Cad's Apprentice

Ah perhaps I did'nt explain the problem. I can get a very nice black color with gun blueing but that's not what I want.
I want that nice deep blue color you see on some later period armours (the ones with the gilt borders especially set off the blue).
So black is not a problem thanks, blue is.

Cad's Apprentice

Does anyone have a good one? I tried gun blue but it's too black. Plum brown does a decent job but it's not blue either (has that nice fire-blackened and rust mix look to it).
So if you do have a good recipie, I'd love to hear about it!

Cad's Apprentice

I had a similar experience with them. It took me MONTHS to get my shoes. Once I finally did get them, they were nice enough but nothing spectacular.
Next time I won't bother ordering from them, I'll just make my own again.

Cad's Apprentice

It's still up for grabs folks, note the edit that says "or best offer"...

Cad's Apprentice

Irish, thanks very much for the forward. It is on the med/largeish size, the inside of the skull is 28 1/2" around. From side to side it measures 7 3/4" and from front to back it is 10". It is SCA legal as it is however some kingdoms have strange gorget rules so make sure you know yours. The bottom ...

Cad's Apprentice

It could very well be a 1920's fake. Back then many europeans started making "authentic" armour to sell to people with more money than brains. Most are like this one, all style and no substance. They were even stressed to make them look old. As a curiosity I'd say it was cute but I certaintly wouldn...

Cad's Apprentice

For sale is one bellows faced sallet in excellent (never worn) condition. It is constructed from 12 ga (skull) and 14 ga(lower part of helm and visor) for long life. I am asking 400.00 in US dollars (or best offer) for this helm. Depending on where you are I may even ship it to you at my expense. He...

Cad's Apprentice

You can always try the period solution, rivet from the outside. Use a ball stake to support the rivet head on the inside and peen from the outside. If you have a good rivet set you can do a very nice job actually. Some I've seen (and done) are indistinguishable from the surrounding heads.
Good luck.

Cad's Apprentice

How's he going to raise his arms in that?
Oh well, not my movie.
Nice work though.

Cad's Apprentice

Glad things are working a bit better for you Cad. You'll find work quickly enough anyone with your skills is bound to be highly sought after.
Hope to see you soon man.
Pedro

Cad's Apprentice

My son is 4 and already he wants a bascinet. I figgure 20 guage should be fine.
(Yes he knows he can't start fighting till he's six but he still likes to plan ahead, unlike his old man...)

Cad's Apprentice

Only us mere mortals use patterns. I'm certain that Robert Macpherson and Ugo both draw out thier armor onto steel from memory...

Cad's Apprentice

Agreed Connar. Ogier, I think that if it were your money stolen from you, you'd be singing a different tune. Did you ever stop and think that by decrying a thread as "beating a dead horse" you are, in fact, continuing to beat that dead horse? These guys need to take responsibility for what they have...

Cad's Apprentice

Agreed Connar. Ogier, I think that if it were your money stolen from you, you'd be singing a different tune. Did you ever stop and think that by decrying a thread as "beating a dead horse" you are, in fact, continuing to beat that dead horse? These guys need to take responsibility for what they have...

Cad's Apprentice

* WARNING * Very dumb question below!!! Is it possible to blacken aluminium that way? I guess I'd have to get all the oxide off before if I want the black to stay on? Not a dumb question at all. The answer is; I doubt it. As I understand it you can only anodize aluminum. I think that heating it wil...

Cad's Apprentice

* WARNING * Very dumb question below!!! Is it possible to blacken aluminium that way? I guess I'd have to get all the oxide off before if I want the black to stay on? Not a dumb question at all. The answer is; I doubt it. As I understand it you can only anodize aluminum. I think that heating it wil...

Cad's Apprentice

I don't know that black and white is pretty sweet but man, you just can't beat that gorgeous look that you can only achieve with blued steel.
My vote? Prince Mauritz's harness.

A set of Japanese armor by Robert Macpherson on Ebay!

Wanted; a sword supplier.

Looking for a blueing recipie.

For sale, one bellows face sallet.