The Armour Archive

Otto

No, it's not coated metal... I think I shall just use it for pieces that don't require much shaping. It should be fine for such uses.

Of course, if I was still fighting, I'd use it for a seriously industrial strength helm of my own

Otto

Well, I did the spark test thing... but I confess that my skill in this area is severely limited. I did think that the spray was a bit narrower and longer with sharp little 3 prong stars at the tips. I don't really know what that translates to. Going off the drawings, I'd say it appears to have a hi...

Otto

Well, from my perspective as an armourer... it's not a great road to a secure lifestyle... unless you're REALLY skilled. Personally, I've found it to be personally satisfying, but financially risky at best. What has worked well for me, thus far, has to subcontract to a larger armouring company... to...

Otto

Yes, it's magnetic...

Sorry, I'm not familiar with spark testing.

Otto

OK, sorry about that... but sometimes, you gotta do what ya gotta do... So anyway, here's the deal... I bought some metal the other day, to keep the shop moving... a bunch of 14 ga. cold rolled as that's my favorite. I noticed a fair sized but disreputable looking chunk of steel in the drop racks th...

Otto

Y'know, that helm might be a wonderful example of a complex period piece... but egad!... I wouldn't want my name associated with such a monstrosity.

I am somewhat less than impressed with it's style and functional characteristics.

Otto

Very nice looking and appears to function quite well also...

but who put that ding in the vam right next to the rivet on the second buckle???

Someone needs a whupp'n!

Otto

I've got some of the things you're looking for at Otto's Armoury

Take a look.

Otto

The brief efforts I made rolling edges with pliers had negative results. You can't get a full roll using the pliers, they tend to mark up the work... etc. etc.

I found it more successful to roll the edge with a hammer (carefully) and then tuck it with a fairly dull chisel.

Otto

Personally, I wrap the lower plates onto the upper. The upper section I leave in it's conical shape and then I do a little working on the upper edge of the bottom sections so that they fit to the slant of the upper section. That works best for me... YMMV gotta agree with the "don't remove any m...

Otto

Well, for my helm making purposes, I use almost exclusively 3/16th inch diameter by 3/8ths inch length rivets whether mild or stainless.

Otto

Care and feeding of mild armour isn't really all that bad... a little waxing or oiling after use... no big deal... but... if you take your mild armour to say... Pennsic and don't do frequent at least wipe downs with wax or oil... you get a nice coating of rust. Camping events are evil for mild armou...

Otto

While I can supply a proper spangenhelm in stainless... I'd not be the cheapest. With me you'd be looking at $300.

I noticed the VonSussen stainless viking went for $199... if you can't find a used one, that might be the way to go.

Otto

Well, it's no real big deal to make a gorget longer in the neck... so I'll offer my services.

but

when it comes to covering gaps and making the marshals happy, nothing does the trick like a maille aventail.

Otto

Cool deal Lucian... I wanted to make sure you had first shot at it since it's your thread after all.

Iain... the mask is all yours for the taking! I'm asking $75 plus shipping, but it's brand new, the fancy one with the stainless wire mesh and all. Drop me a line and we'll work it out.

Otto

Well, I do the slat-backed celtic helm thing for $225. Check my site and see if it's what you're looking for.

Otto

Last call for Lucien... last call on the mask.

Iain, if I don't hear back by tomorrow, then the mask is yours if you still want it.

Otto

I have a 24 1/4 inch head and I wear the extra large... so I would think it'd fit you OK... but I'll leave that choice up to you.

Iain, since it's Lucian's thread, I'll give him first pick on the mask. If he passes on it, then I'd be happy to sell it to you.

Otto

What's the historical reference for the helm? where/when/who?

I'd think anyone who can whip up a welded bascinet should have no trouble with that one.

Otto

Currently, I'm well into your first 2 spangenhelms (I'm making them both at the same time)... I hope to have you all taken care of by the middle of next week. Busy is a good thing!

Otto

Lordy! If my site was that busy, I'd be 6 months backlogged. As is, your order and one other is all I've got just now.

Otto

I'm the one who made the helm, so perhaps my response shouldn't count... but as I recall from my fighter years, a certain amount of wiggle is always present. The main concerns are that the helm doesn't contact your head in any way when struck, doesn't come off when struck, and doesn't spin left or r...

Otto

Thanks for the comments all. I guess one must recall that this helm is intended as a bargain piece. At $100, it's my second most inexpensive helm. Yes indeedy, I can and have before done the top plate domed and installed inside the upper section. I've also had the wonderful brass cross on the front,...

Otto

The eyeslot's a bit wide for a proper "period" helm, but I do usually bow to SCA preferences as that's my largest market. Other than that though, yeah, it's pretty close to being at least in the proper style of what... the 14th cent? btw. this particular helm is not being advertised for sale... it's...

Otto

Well sure I could do the whole eyeslot cross thing if I was doing a fancy one. This one, though, is the bargain basement cheapy @$100.

Yeah, I'm capable of making a much nicer barrel helm, but, then it wouldn't be a cheapy.

Otto

Here's another fine product from Otto's Armoury.
This one is my basic Barrel Helm.

Anything to change? Please keep in mind that it is a cheapy.

Otto

Oh, I fully agree with you on the looks issue. I think if the bars were welded to the inside of helms, it'd go a long way toward preserving the proper appearance of the helm. Though, I will say that I've been present for the results of an interior attached bar breaking and severly gouging the wearer...

Otto

Nah, I pretty sure that's attributable to camera angle.

Otto

You see, there-in lies the problem... "superior construction" is such a vague term that different marshals interpret it differently. Armour inspection prior to fighting was always something I hated, so I've gone with the method that; a) I find to be safest (if a bar does happen to break, it's still ...

Otto

'preciate the compliments all... Cedric... I'm always a bit worried about applying any paint or such unless specifically requested. The safest route for me has traditionally been to deliver a totally clean product and the customer can play with all the paint and so forth that they want. Oh, and the ...

Otto

Actually, I'd have cheerfully put brass on the occular pieces... but it's made to the specs of the person who ordered it.

Otto

Well, here's another new helm I present for comments/critiques. This one is supposedly a more proper style of norse helm and is designed specifically for SCA heavy combat. Comments/Critiques? Oh, I will add that I found it impractical to add the rivet near the tip of the nasal, so I welded it to bot...

Otto

No worries... it's really not even an original design by me. It's an adaptation of something someone asked me to make years ago that I thought I'd keep on the list. I'm also going to do the more traditional norse design for dress and SCA heavy purposes. I like dress helms even through they really ha...

Otto

I worry about you people sometimes. I asked for comments. I know the thing is reasonably well executed. It's not perfect, but structurally, it's not bad. What I'm looking for comment on, (and perhaps I should have been more specific in my original post), is whether the helm has a pleasing appearance...

Otto

Thanks for all the advice. I think that perhaps the first time I try a large project, it will be a non-production piece just to try it out.

My Mighty Mystical Metallic Mystery!

Bargain Barrel From Otto's Armoury

Norse Helm for SCA Heavy or.. Otto strikes again