The Armour Archive

Ideval

I'm a Middle Earth armourer, and as soon as I saw your handle I checked the site. Good looking stuff, well polished.

http://fantasy-forge.home.attbi.com

ImbÃ«ar

Ideval

I use a hitch-ball, as well. I bought the largest I could find locally, which was 2 7/8" in diameter. As was suggested, I ground and polished the flat spot off of the top. I use a 3/4" galvanized coupling and a length of 3/4" galvanized pipe for a handle - I use the hammer like a piston, using the "...

Ideval

I made a byrnie many years ago, back when I was a thin whip of an eighteen year old - well, five years ago, to be clear. About a year ago, I revisited the shirt. Indeed, I completely opened the back down the middle, and added a five inch rectangle all the way down. Now, there is room for padding and...

Ideval

I recommend reading the books to get an idea of what Orcish armour looks and feels like. If you want Tolkien's ideas, as they are his Orcs, the books are indispensible. No other source will do. Inferior maille, inferior iron cap-helms, hair-on hide and pressed leather equipment in a variety of fashi...

Ideval

It was Procrustes. I think the myth speaks of the Patriarchy, and the "lengths" it will go to conform everyone to the same stereo-type or mold.

IdÃ«val
back to great helms...

Ideval

Steve, if you sew a stainless ring onto the fabric over the mark where the lace-hole will be, you can then slit or punch the hole at your leisure. Also, I sew my liners to a latigo band, holes punched every eighth to quarter inch. I then rivet the leather band to the helm, via eight to ten rivets. E...

Ideval

Sacramento, as well. Or near enough. I study at Sac State during the mid-week.

IdÃ«val

Ideval

I could send you my pattern, with a caution. It is two sides joined by a cross ridge band (14 inches wide, by 19 inches long[front to back]). The band is two inches wide in the front, and four inches wide at the back of the brim. You'll be drilling eighty holes, and setting forty rivets. This was my...

Ideval

Is it round-topped, with a bit of a sweep back towards the tail?

The profile looks a little like a sallet without visor or bevor, yet the brim is open and flared similar to a kettle hat.

I just finished an attempt at a kettle helm in three pieces, and the result looks a little like the "celata"

Ideval

I am a novice armourer, as well. With Cross as shown: If I made the helmet, I would start with a price of $200. I would be willing to sell the helmet between $185 and $225 (or higher). Without Cross: I would charge $160. I would be willing to sell the helmet between $145 and $190 (or higher). I hope...

Ideval

Whoever you are;
I believe that you are "Arc."
Interesting that you are insulting yourself just to "bump" this thread.
Interesting?

ImbÃ«ar
mighty pleased

Ideval

Ark,
there aren't more than three people in your gaming group?

You had a lot to say. You had a lot of nothing to say.

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IdÃ«val
The Huntsman of
I-NossÃ« LÃºmÃ«vanwa
My mind opens wide when I roar

Ideval

I'm not a professional armour, nor an SCA armourer. I do have a new helmet in my garage. It is a fourteen guage kettle helm, made of two halves connected by a spangen. It is not assembled yet, but the dishing is done. I haven't any idea what the brow measure will be, but my pattern is "meant" to pro...

Ideval

Having finally received a copy of Arms and Armour of the Medieval Knight, I hope I am neither too froward or inaccurate in complimenting your tight lookin' culet http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/wink.gif Chef! Wow! Wow! Wow! The enclosed vambrace alone screams its exactness! ------------------ IdÃ«v...

Ideval

Tolkien got me interested in arms, armour, combat. I decided I would make my own swords and fight with them. Of course, I would also need protection from the weapons. And then I needed people to fight with. Yet people were hesitant to fight if they didn't have armour. So I got busy, maille first, an...

Ideval

I have a turtle-shell sitting on my weight-bench. I drank too much earlier, and I haven't any idea what you mean. Is it a turtle-shell pouch, using the shell as the frame, or something else entirely? thanks, ------------------ IdÃ«val The Huntsman of I-NossÃ« LÃºmÃ«vanwa My mind opens wide when I roar

Ideval

Stephen,
you would add a vertical rectangle. Very simple.

Since the back needs to be wider than the front, add the strip to the back. I did the same thing a short time ago, and it came out terrific.

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IdÃ«val
The Huntsman of
I-NossÃ« LÃºmÃ«vanwa
My mind opens wide when I roar

Ideval

Shit, Ark, you shoulda just asked me!

I've got two of those rusting in the garage...
in the same bucket as your credibility.

Send more money, buddy.

IdÃ«val

Ideval

I began my maille shirt by spray-painting the rings to prevent rust during assembly. I noticed two things: the paint held for a short time, producing a flaky mess; but, when the paint flaked off, it also took the impurities with it. Hence, silvery grey rings. When I sewed my first gambeson, I oiled ...

Ideval

Gundo,
It is good to see your updates again!

By chance, what would you charge for that exact morion, in its current state of finish?

And, what would you charge for a low-combed kettle helm in a similar state of completion?

IdÃ«val

Ideval

Or perhaps, as Beren's hand grasping the Silmaril burned Carcaroth the Wolf's belly, the hand of Tyr wrought the internal destruction of the wolf?

I don't know, I'm far more familiar with the wolf-legends of Tolkien; ThÃ» lord of Werewolves, Draugluin, and Anfauglir.

IdÃ«val

Ideval

Krag, your work is excellent!

I am currently seeking a longseax blade, sans handle and hardware.

Do you also work with temperable steels of a "singular" nature? (probably says this on your web-site, but since you're here...)
Thanks!

IdÃ«val

Ideval

Chef is correct, but what else is new http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/wink.gif ? My advice is to make the points closer to the neck than the shoulder. Why? Because I don't trust the skill of the average person. My apologies, but it is far easier to adjust the length or suspension of the spaulder vi...

Ideval

I, too, am "participating" in the production of a knee-length quilted arming coat/gambeson. My mom and I are useing this technique: 1. cut all pattern pieces out, plus the lining/facing fabric. 2. cut several layers of padding, adjusting the padding over elbows, shoulders, et cetera. 3. then, baste ...

Ideval

Still looking.

If any of you have purchased either of these items, found the quality to be poor but the blade salvageable, let me know.

I can hilt a blade, just not temper one.
Thanks again,

IdÃ«val

Ideval

I am a satisfied customer of Mr. Piela's. Particularly as a Middle Earth enthusiast. His prices are reasonable, his background superb, and the timeliness of construction far faster than I had expected.
I fully recommend his artistry.

IdÃ«val

Ideval

Greetings, all!

I am making a new sword. And I need a source for a spring tempered blade, or a blank that I can shape and have tempered.

I am asking for two blade types:
that of a falchion, approximately 30 inches,
or a longsÃ¦x of similar length.

Thank you!

IdÃ«val

Ideval

Excellent!

I have two liners of a similar construction. On both, the brow is continuous and the fabric ends butt at the rear of the helmet.
I wished to avoid a seam over the center of my forehead. If it is a problem, I imagine fabric "union" would soften it right up.
Great work!

IdÃ«val

Ideval

I meant to take pictures today, but was postponed. The harness is still my possession until it is paid for, so I'll have time yet. This is my first project done for a customer, ever. While it was a learning piece, I believe I executed it quite well. You will have to judge when the pictures are avail...

Ideval

Chauses? Pourpoint? Is this latter a foundation garment? If it is, I can't imagine it extending so far down the leg? This harness features a detachable fauld with six piece tassets. Because of the support of the two faulds, and the "rounding" of the tassets over the hips, the tassets stand off the l...

Ideval

Very heartening, sir!
The end justifying the means.

Lay on...and damned be him that first cries "Hold! Enough!"

IdÃ«val

Ideval

Hi everyone, I finished the German three-quarter harness on the 24th, which took just a couple of weeks - fortunately, I finished it before school starts. Anyhow, I've done all of the gross strapping. But now I am adding the straps to the cuisse attachment. Should I use a single strap above the knee...

Ideval

I am glad to tell you how much I like this helmet!
I was hoping to find an update, and here I have one! Fantastic.

IdÃ«val

Ideval

What about a bowling bowl?
Apparently, some people use a bowling ball with a soft-faced hammer to planish/bouge - should be sturdy enough for a modeling form.

Also, you could screw pins or studs into the bowling ball to support the plates and line holes up.

IdÃ«val

Ideval

Even if it was "shiny" at first, it would be dark soon after. Much like our existence, in general.

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IdÃ«val
The Huntsman of
I-NossÃ« LÃºmÃ«vanwa
My mind opens wide when I roar

IdÃ«val Has Need!

Three-quarter Harness