The Armour Archive

Otto

The topic line pretty much says it. One thing I've never been good at making was articulated knees and I want some in stainless so I don't have to fuss with them alot.

Anyone recommend a good/quick and not too pricey source?

Otto

Eh, buy a decent jigsaw and use that... the blades are MUCH easier/cheaper to replace and each blade usually lasts a few helms worth anyway.

I've been using a jigsaw for 20-some years and it's been fine for me!

Otto

I usually buy my steel from a local fabricators shop. They have many types and thicknesses of various metals and don't seem to mind selling sheets of it.

Otto

Something like 21 years ago, give or take... Most likely, it was a homely but functional spangenhelm.

All this time and hundreds of commissions later... and I'm still not very good at it. Oh well, perhaps I should teach, since I can't seem to do!

Otto

Certainly looks well made... May I ask if it's a recreation of any particular style or mostly an SCA helm?

It's an interesting helm...

Otto

Sounds like you at least have a good customer base, experience in armouring and eBaying, and substantial cash reserves to see you through any immediate rough times.

Good Luck to you!

(any may god have mercy on your soul!)

Otto

Kind of a cross between roman and early romano-british design...

Very impressive level of detail.
Very nice helm!

Otto

You nasty little person! You have a perfectly good armourers guild just a few hours up the road from me and you never said anything!!!... Gee, now I feel unwanted. What level do you guys work at? I'm curious if I'd be outa my league or whatnot. Not that I'd be able to run down there every week... bu...

Otto

I haven't had occassion to do too much rolling... but it's pretty simple. Generally, the above example serves just fine... though I really do like to avoid ever actually putting my foot on the metal as some unfortunate oxidation prints can result... I hang about the last 1/2 inch of metal over the e...

Otto

I don't think there is a single correct way. I do such a thing by dishing/adjusting/dishing/adjusting as I go... I do as much of either as the piece dictates. If I'm doing a really good job, the adjusting is minimal... If I'm doing a crappy job, then I have to adjust alot. Don't lock yourself into a...

Otto

OK, no one has answered the question... how long should this process take on mild steel? (cold rolled)???

Otto

I wouldn't fuss too much more with it... he's playing light and free-moving right now... add to much and things will start to bind and weigh-down.

Otto

Punches make nicer holes... drills are more versatile and can often reach places a punch can't. It's nice to have both, really... but if you must choose only one, I'd go with a drill.

Otto

So, if I'm reading the instructions correctly, one could "freehand" scrap away the etch/resist if careful and create freehand artwork, correct?

I have pretty much all the listed items... this might just be interesting to try. Any notion how long one would expect this process to take?

Otto

Probably one of the nicest youth combat kits I've yet seen

Good Work!

but y'know... he's gonna out-grow that within a year...

Otto

I have a 4 day weekend coming up and am likely going to turn out an early period "romano-british""celtic" styled helm. It will be 14 ga. mild steel, open faced and SCA legal. I don't have a postable pic just handy, but some of you may remember them from my selling days. They are a good, roomy style,...

Otto

Rivetting is fine (I use 3/16 dia. steel rivets) You can get them from RJ Leahy www.rjleahy.com They have a very wide selection and are generally cheaper than you'll find locally. You can usually find sickle rivets at farm supply stores, but unless you're in a BIG hurry, I'd wait the few days it'll ...

Otto

My incredibly simplistic... and not entirely correct method of fluting goes as follows: Need: hunk of wood (block, stump, 2x4, whatever..) with a "V" shaped channel cut in it about...say...3/4 inch deep a chisel (I usually use a 1/2 inch chisel) a hammer, preferably with a clean face. I mark out on ...

Otto

Gee, that's ALMOST as good as the one's I made!

Very nice! I'd wager it's a little cleaner than the ones I made, good job!

So, tell me... did T-Bob trick you into making that or did you do that one on your own?

(He bugged me into making my first one of those)

Otto

Right then... 20 ga. stainless is a little light but still usable... especially depending on exactly HOW it's worked. The jigsaw will cut the stainless just fine... BUT!!! go slowly, oil the blade and give it rest breaks after every few inches of cutting (maybe 6 inches or so in 20 ga). Stainless is...

Otto

Reply sent

Otto

Still have that fencing mask, reduce to $85 and a large gorget (fits 18-20 inch neck)

Otto

Well, it really appears that the Tasmanian devil spun in and beat you guys to the sword and dagger

Accdt... thanks! It's good to still be around... I hope to be a little more active soon!

Well, I still have the brand new mask and the large gorget if anyone's interested.

Otto

Right this minute, I'm checking with Wulfgar... I'll let you know how that goes..

Otto

I'm (for now anyway) not going to be doing fencing (SCA)... so I have a few items to sell... pics of the described items can be seen on the Triplette site... as that's where they came from. Mask: the Triplette Dynaflow mask with the stainless mesh and all... sized men's extra large, brand new, never...

Otto

the site should be up in a day or two.

Otto

If anyone is interested, I'm re-opening Otto's Armoury for a very limited time... about 2 months The website should be up in a day or two at www.members.tripod.com/sbvast So, if there was something that I make but has been unavailable for awhile now... here's your chance to get it... for a little wh...

Otto

As long as you're a skilled welder, then I forsee no problem. It looks like a good design.

Otto

21 gauge? Tell us the truth... it came off a roll of Reynolds Wrap, right?

Otto

A couple of things... Spangenhelms are simpler to make, hence their use in earlier periods... as armouring skills/methods improved, so improved the helms. Spangenhelms do use very small peices... even the headband is often sectioned into as many as 5 "thor's hammer" shaped pieces. While spangenhelms...

Otto

Overall, I'd say it appears to be well made, both in appearance and structure. As to the internally attached bargrills, I'm starting to get the impression that the marshals don't care that much anymore. The only thing that isn't to my liking is the design of the eyebrows. The nasal portion is fine, ...

Otto

The only thing I'd add to this is that I would think the double row rivetting is likely easier to construct and maintain. With the single row rivetting, your plates have to be pretty damn exact before installation. In a double row helm, some tweaking is easily done as the original plate is still exp...

Otto

HEY!!!

I feel gyped!... you didn't answer my question...

Is it a welded 2 pc. top and the ridge is decorative or is the ridge a proper structural piece??

Otto

Very nicely done... A question... is it a two piece riveted dome or is it a welded dome with the central ridge being decorative? Do your customers not get any crap from the marshals for having the bars welded to the inside of the helm? I think it looks nice, but never made them that way myself cuz o...

Otto

Now Hush, you angry little person, she's not gonna read it at your beck and call, so you're just gonna hafta wait! Nyah!

Wanted... Stainless 5 piece knees (large)

Interest in an early period spangenhelm?

Fencing bits for sale

Otto's Armoury