The Armour Archive

Kilkenny

I would just wonder how an opponent would "know" you were swinging for their lower leg rather than their thigh? Especially if you are purposefully missing. I honestly can't even imagine the "shot" Not sure what you are asking here. I can certainly tell where my opponent's shots ...

Kilkenny

Last I knew the rules specified that it was not permitted to feint attacks at illegal targets (much less actually execute them).

Certainly that's the way I was taught and the way I have taught others for my entire career.

Kilkenny

Look for "An Icelandic Medical Miscellany". It may be reproduced in its entirety in Cariadoc's Miscellany, but I am not sure about that. It's the best source for Scandinavian/Viking Age food I;ve ever found, and an interesting read. Includes such things as "chicken in a rock" and...

Kilkenny

Thanks, hivemind. Those seem like projects I can handle. As for a brig, is that something that would hold up in heavy fighting with it only being 7-8 oz. ? If so what gauge steel would I use for the brig? I think 7-8 is actually too heavy to use for making a brig or CoP. You want the leather to be ...

Kilkenny

There are a myriad of period applications for leather that people tend to forget about or be unaware of. One way to think of it - if I would put it in a plastic box today, they would likely have put it in a leather case then. There are coffers, bottels, jacks, boxes, cases for goblets, glasses, runc...

Kilkenny

Your Grace, Perhaps a dozen years ago I would have joined in this emprise. Today, the landscape is different for me in many ways. Financially, it's not viable for me to undertake this at this time. On more personal levels it's not something I could take on now. I admit to some envy that others will ...

Kilkenny

so a close friend of mine recently recieved an award here at a local event. its an award (crescent sword) Awarded for superior skill and appearance in armored combat. not this is great. im very happy he recieved some kind of recognition as he had been in the sca for 19 years withought even a nod bu...

Kilkenny

Chuckle.. "Roche Alome" I had a clue about. But "the graines wherby men make the sappe" tells me absolutely nothing, except that medieval writers were not good about communicating information! what the heck is he talking about there (and the apparently interchangeable use of grai...

Kilkenny

Lucan Dux wrote:Gavin we said old not ancient . It all relative : )

so true, so true..

Kilkenny

On an historical note, I find it interesting that some number of people think that squires wearing chains is an old tradition in the East. I can tell you that it was a very strange quirk of our Middle Kingdom brothers that found no foothold in the East for quite a long time But it did, eventually, g...

Kilkenny

But when I was squired I did swear fealty to the crown, through my Knight. I am in fealty to the East Crown. *wow, I think I need to put in for a new keyboard here at work. the "K" and "shift" keys are acting spotty. There's an old saying that many feel applies here: The vassal ...

Kilkenny

As for protection, just remember that this type of liner was the very same used for hundreds of years in the original helmets that ours copy. If it didn't reliably keep them safe while jousting or fighting in life or death combat, they simply wouldn't have used them. The idea that we have improved ...

Kilkenny

Squires don't wear chains in Atlantia, either. I used to think that only GOLD chains were reserved, but was set aright by some people explaining the distinctive colours (including one of oxidised black) worn by some knights. I used to occasionally get some grief about my silver knight's chain. Ster...

Kilkenny

I have another question for anybody that has experience with klap visor bascinets. I've been talking to Ironmonger about having a klap visor bascinet made and he says that when the helmet is hit the visor rattles because of the center hinge. He also said that the visor shifts around because of the ...

Kilkenny

I think it's personal preference. I hate 'em, even in sports where they are really pretty necessary.

Thirty five years of SCA fighting at a pretty high level without using one, but ymmv.

Kilkenny

I'm in New Jersey. Do the more period visors restrict breathing and vision a lot or is it just a small amount? I've seen more people using bar grills so I was wondering if they offer a significant advantage in fighting. Where exactly in NJ are you? Which practice are you attending? I'm also in NJ. ...

Kilkenny

Just remember Vitus' warning about streaking his fighting garments. (My red tool dipped thrusty would leave streaks on a tippy shot) Tom heh. Duct tape can leave streaks, and they're gluey sticky streaks that are miserable to get out/off. Maybe people who don't want to get their clothes messy shoul...

Kilkenny

Did you use mild steel clamps on damp veg tanned leather?

Nice work on the tooling.

Kilkenny

So, a few months back I made a set of red splinted arms for a local client. The bleed like crazy, I suggested he go to a near to him leather store (DTS in Santee) and ask for some advise. He was sold Lexol, and on a sample still bleeds lile crazy. I was next going to suggest my old stand bu, Johnso...

Kilkenny

A couple of thoughts. First, the way to get the flat front is to take a tool of the size and pattern you like with the slight crown to the front and file it. Second, if you are using the beveler as intended, the center of the arc touches your line and each successive impression overlaps the one befo...

Kilkenny

No offensive use of a shield will be allowed. Period No strapped on shield daggers will be allowed. Nothing that violates the rules of the lists will be allowed. Links to the handbook are at the bottom of my post. I suggest that you read it thoroughly and that may give you the guidance that you nee...

Kilkenny

Remember when you make stamps using mild steel that you must keep the steel rust free on the stamping surface, or you will get unintentional black marks along with your stamps.

Personally, I've used stainless bolts as the basis for making stamps with some success.

And of course, have fun with it

Kilkenny

Springfield Leather is an excellent resource. Thanks for bringing this particular deal to our collective attention. Horse butt is some of the nicest leather I've worked with, on multiple levels. Tools well, edges finish beautifully, looks great and wears better than cow.

Kilkenny

To the OP: While HG Cariadoc deserves lots of credit for his early work investigating the making of couir bouilli, I really wish his article had never made it onto the internet The information was state of the art 30 years ago, but even then it was apparent that it wasn't really a good answer to the...

Kilkenny

But then again here is another guy also just trying to make a living .. so cannot the same thing be said about him . I am not looking to be a jerk, but I think it's very clear that Charlie, who freely claims to have thrown everything into this jousting thing, is not "trying to make a living&qu...

Kilkenny

I don't think I have ever seen a pommel spike on any weapon designed for use in one hand. The exception being the madu/short double ended spear/double ended javelin/baby polearm. I know they exist, but I've never seen one. Am I blind, or are they just not that common? They were all the rage in the ...

Kilkenny

There's also very real benefit in doing drills, not just fighting. Things like pairing up and for one minute you are entirely on defense, not allowed to throw a shot while the other fighter attacks, then switch roles and repeat. It gives you a chance to look at both jobs without the distraction of t...

Kilkenny

With a related question, about how long will it take to "cure" in the oven at 180F? Is there a point where you can wait too long? Yes, you can leave it in too long and the results will be shrinkage, deformation and brittleness. I generally watch my pieces pretty closely and when they begi...

Kilkenny

Out in the West, I am almost never the most aggressive fighter. When I fight guys from the Middle/East/Atlantia I end up being more aggressive. Both strategies are valid. In my mind - the main difference is how good either of you are at defense. If you have <80% chance of blocking the first blow......

Kilkenny

I'll wait a little bit sometimes. But not long. I went out on the list to fight, not stand. If I lose by being overly hasty, so what? Its the fight that's important, not the accolade afterwards. hmm. Interesting. Perhaps you missed that waiting is part of the fight? There are different ways of goin...

Kilkenny

I think that for all that is so obviously wrong with it (including poor camera work and bad direction and editing) it may yet be good for jousting. It raises the profile of the sport a bit and people who go looking for it after seeing the show might accidentally find themselves at something like The...

Kilkenny

I try to forget that I have an "SCA name." The notion of an alternate persona is one of the silliest things in the SCA, and I try to discourage people who know my SCA name from addressing me by it as much as possible. Josh, it begs the question yet again - why do you have anything to do w...

Kilkenny

The blocks are a dyi thing, although you may be able to come up with "found objects" that work for you rather than needing to carve your own. Also, while Kel is spot on with his information, it is possible to do an acceptable job without the molds. You form your leather largely by hand - l...

Kilkenny

"Turn shoes don't offer support and traction and people have actually slipped and fell when trying to fight in them outdoors." Glad no one told me that, i would have been falling down constantly over the last decade or so. When the soles are new? yes they're slick. Break em in? No they wo...

Kilkenny

China isn't very far away from Alaska in the grand scheme of things. And it's not like they did not do any exploring. North America would look very different today if China had not pulled back its exploration fleets in the 1490's, I think...

Sure seems like an intriguing find

Re: SCA-Throwing at the lower leg

Re: SCA-Throwing at the lower leg

Re: Help with Viking Age food

Re: What to do with my leather.

Re: What to do with my leather.

Re: Where are all of the TRUE Warriors?

Re: {sca} awards as a lure.

Re: Definition/translation: Roche Alome?

Re: Please Define "Unbelt"

Re: Please Define "Unbelt"

Re: Please Define "Unbelt"

Re: First Helmet Questions

Re:

Re: First Helmet Questions

Re: Mouth guards while fighting

Re: First Helmet Questions

Re: Plastidip

Re: WIP Pics: seax scabbard for an archiver

Re: Bleeding Leather

Re: Leather Stamping Help

Re: Looking for info about non standered weapons?

Re: First Try at a Birka Pouch

Re: Cheap, Good Strapping Leather

Re: Cuir Bouilli

Re: Knights of Mayhem - did you watch?

Re: (SCA Armoured Fighting) Rule Changes

Re: Attack or wait?

Re: Dishing Leather

Re: Attack or wait?

Re: Attack or wait?

Re: Knights of Mayhem - did you watch?

Re: Have you, or would you ever consider, changing your SCA

Re: Dishing Leather

Re: Appearance - Fighting footwear

Re: Alaska - ancient bronze found.