The Armour Archive

Otto

Thanks, that's about what I thought.

Otto

While stylistically, it's not my favorite piece... I very much like the workmanship. Appears to be very well made. Good Job!

Otto

Help out someone who's been out of the heavy-thing for awhile... Whats a good length for a basic SCA rattan sword (one handed type... a little shortish)... by this, I mean from pommel to tip. ps. I'll delete the topic once I have an answer. It's just been such a long time since I've made a sword... ...

Otto

Awhile ago, I picked up a brass hammer at a yard sale for about $5. It's about a 2 pounder.

Now, am I remembering correctly that this will be a good planishing hammer as it will not mar the metal?

Otto

Well, sounds like I wonâ€™t be able to use my normal techniques for welding mild sheet. Iâ€™m guessing that since: a) itâ€™s a single weld (about 8 inches in length) b) Iâ€™d have to obtain materials that I donâ€™t now have (shielding gas and stainless wire) and c) Iâ€™d have to engage in substantia...

Otto

So, from what I've read... welding in stainless (to be done properly) is a rather picky subject. I've read that to get a good weld, the material you are using for the weld itself must closely match to composition of the material being welded. I have a stainless project coming up that has a single we...

Otto

Well, I don't do the ultra-inexpensive spun-domes... but I do barrel helms (open-face or eyeslot type) for $100... maybe a little less if I'm in a good mood.

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Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

I've always found (though not just recently) that golf tubes fly pretty well... though most shooting I did with them was usually within the 50 yd range. I imagine only mass shooting would work at longer ranges.

Otto

horsefriend... e-mailed who?... if it was me, I didn't receive it. If it was someone else, please disregard.

Thanks!

Otto

Well, I can't quite match Ashcraft-Baker... but I do Barrel Helms for $100... perhaps a discount for larger orders.

------------------
Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

sad me

no funding for a trip at this time.......

Have Fun!

Otto

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Otto von Aachen: <B> I'd be more then happy to join a battle without spears. What really gets me is that most of the folks that complain about CA being unfair are the same ones...

Otto

You want a lotta stuff, don'tcha T-Bob?

I'll write you back on the details so we can start working that out. I likely won't be at the armourers guild meeting thing... so e-mail will have to do for now.

Otto

Thanks for all the critiques and kind comments. I guess I'll add this one to my website as I feel pretty confident on these. For anyone who actually wants one... I'm thinking $200 with steel cross... $215 with brass. The one you see is obviously modified for SCA use... otherwise there'd be no backpl...

Otto

Not a single comment? It doesn't have to be a love-fest... but I was hoping for some feedback... even if it's negative.

Otto

Well gee.. I was hoping for some kind of comment from folks here as to good/bad/indifferent. I think they are an odd looking style myself, but apparently fit the 13th cent. crusader thing. Oh, BTW... the back-plate is added for SCA purposes. It doesn't belong on the actual period piece. Thoughts? --...

Otto

Thanks for getting the pics up Conrad!... and thanks for the review!

Otto

That helm is very similar to an early 13th cent. crusader pot helm that I've made a couple of over this past summer. I did note the tabs. Perhaps they have historical precedent. I wonder which type of construction was more prevelant?... though I'd guess the non-tab. Doesn't matter though, as either ...

Otto

A silly question, perhaps, but I'll ask...

Does the "tab-top" have any historical accuracy, or is it just something done in modern times to make construction easier?

I've found that the tabbing actually takes up more time than doing it without tabs.

Otto

Still waiting to see the pics...

Otto

Thanks for the kind word Lucien! I'm glad the helm is serving you well.

T-Bob... we're still waiting

Otto

Conrad, yours is done... and I can mail it tomorrow. (I'm poor, I had to wait til payday)

So, you will have it soon!

Otto

OK T-Bob... it's been 8 days and you STILL haven't posted those pics!!!

Being a newer type item for me, I was rather looking forward to seeing what the general reaction was.

pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssseeeee!

Otto

Sorry Conrad... as usual, I'm slow. Your helm is almost done. The top is done, the faceplate is done and installed, the brass eyeslot cross is partially installed. That leaves only the backplate. (Karen's been working most every night... leaves me doing dinner and chasing the kids... kinda cuts into...

Otto

e-mail sent

Otto

I really don't know if I'll be able to attend... but I'd like to.

Does one need an invitation?... or is this "open to all"?

Otto

Actually, I've already dealt with the merchanting arrangements through Siobhan in Andelcrag...

Otto

Well, I'll be there with my dear wife... not much to sell, so don't come looking for lots of armour... just a few odds and ends...

Conrad, maybe I could bring your helm and meet you there? I'll have a small merchant spot.

Otto

VERY basically... helms seem to have progressed from spangenhelms... to pot helms... to great helms... to various styles of closed helms (with some exceptions, obviously). Can someone point out to me, what the advantages of a pot or even a barrel helm are over a spangenhelm? (other than going from o...

Otto

Yup, pretty much the same pattern I had come up with... but I'll be glad to incorporate the refinements

Thanks WMA!

Otto

Glad to hear it... Was the appearance acceptable? It was pretty much as the pattern pics showed... a little fancier... but was it what you were looking for? I took some pics for my own use... it being one of the more interesting helms I've ever made. Of course, now I get to make one for Conrad but w...

Otto

Well, T-Bob... as long as you're on this message about new armour... how's the helm? Did it fit OK? Is the appearance acceptable?

Otto

Can someone give a basic "time period/location" for the use of lamellar? Also, I know how it goes together... got the diagrams and all... but doesn't it take just past forever to assemble (considering cutting/cleaning/pre-punching the plates)? If I were to make such a beast for SCA use, what type/th...

Otto

Thanks immensley for the link... it's EXACTLY what I was looking for! http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/smile.gif So, which arrows work better the golf tubes with blunts or the ones with tennis balls? I'd think the tennis ball ones would hit with more authority since they have more mass... thoughts?

Otto

OK, should be the last question... on construction... It seems like I remember reading that the "newest" construction method involved (using golf tubes) filling the interior with cut out tubes of foam insulation and having bottle caps in the ends (glued in, I presume)... and all that sticks in my me...

SCA rattan sword length

Brass Hammer

Welding Stainless

Helm Development

Basic Lamellar Questions