The Armour Archive

Jeff J

I use the point of an old paring knife to widen the hole a tad, then a pair of tweezers to insert the rivet.

Jeff J

Most of the groups I've seen are in one of three (ahem) "Camps": English Civil War, Gustavous Adolphus, or Scots.

There's this group in your area:

http://www.clanntartan.org/

Jeff J

Mike F wrote:Does, say, Pam give you a nice, even, black color?

I'm not sure about other ones, but Pam Grier seems to have had an even coffee-black color.

[img]http://www.cultsirens.com/grier/grier006.jpg[/img]

Jeff J

Yes. With blueing, you are pre-oxidizing the surface metal, so it provides a coating which is not as prone to oxidize further.

The oil blackening is like paint - providing a surface coating to prevent oxidation.

If either is scratched, you will likely get rust.

Jeff J

Remember to Ventilate!

Resins + heater + enclosed space = fire or asphixiation.

Jeff J

WeÃ‚Â´re talking about four different techniques now: Carbon blueing, which I donÃ‚Â´t know anything about; Oil blackening, IE heating a piece of metal covered in oil to burn the oil and get a dark brown or black finish, the same can be archieved by heating the piece and the dipping it in oil; Temp...

Jeff J

Just for reference. Can a gas Barbeque grill work to heat the metal enough to blacken it or is the propane not hot enough or is the heat not concentrated enough? thank you Gene Yes. I'v successfully blackened using my oven, and a bbq can get considerably hotter than that. Just heat the piece,covere...

Jeff J

Nice stuff!

What thicknesses are you working?

Jeff J

And where are the pics of the new owner wearing it?

Jeff J

I've got this german kettle hat that has a crack in the brim. It's been gas-welded (poorly), and the weld bugs me from a purist point of view. What have people seen in armories or documentation on how it REALLY ought have been fixed - in-period?

Jeff J

"Hi" to Drey.

Jeff J

Actully my question is did sallets become popular by that time frame. Is 1430 a bit early for a sallet? Nope - not too early, but the style is simpler that what we use later in the century. Gak'd from Plessis Armouries: Sallet and bevor after French MS of c.1430 BibliothÃƒÂ¨que Nationale, Paris htt...

Jeff J

Is the bow gone?

Jeff J

Das mittelalterliche Hausbuch, Muenchen 1957

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/379131 ... 5&v=glance

Jeff J

Nope. But Tasha visited a couple of weeks ago and was nice enough to let me look at hers. Then she forgot to take it back. I'll be returing it this week when Char gets something she's making Tasha done.

Jeff J

Heh heh heh... I'm holding the ARS Chairman's copy hostage until mine is delivered.

Jeff J

sarnac wrote:we need a ...

Suggest you modify your post. What you say is publicly advocating an illegal activity, and while it may seem just, it is akin (or worse than) than their offense.

You are also potentially opening yourself to legal action should someone do as you suggest.

Jeff J

:Twitch:

Must...

not...

buy...

pretty...

sallet...

Not... spring steel...

no... bevor...

temptation... easing...

Nice piece though!

Jeff J

[spoilsport]

Are there any finds or documentation for rough, unfinished antler for knife grips before (say) 16th C hunting knives?

Jeff J

Duct tape shrinks when you take it off. Armorers I've dealt with who do custom greaves have advised using plaster casts, which you can get the bandages and plaster for at the pharmacy. Two layers of wrap were sufficient to give stiffness and can be gut readily enough with a pair of sturdy scissors. ...

Jeff J

They are called "Jack Chains", and they go up the outside of the arms up to the shoulder:

[img]http://www.matuls.pl/grafika/armour/jackchains1m.jpg[/img]

Here's where to get a set (Look under armor):

http://www.matuls.pl/english/index.html

Jeff J

chef de chambre wrote:People were wearing them @ 1250-1390, nobody was making or wearing them in 1450.

No western Europeans documented in art or writings that any of us have seen anyways. If the group you are looking to play with is 1450s European, then I'd think about making a jack were I you.

Jeff J

Jeff, you're awesome. Thanks! : ) We're in complete agreement. I was talking specifically about certain groups--if you go about looking for groups you can find a lot of supposed "knights" out there. Yup - we agree that I'm awesome! As for all of those guys in crappy gear claiming to be "Knights" - ...

Jeff J

And for people who do non-noble portrayals, what martial outlet is there? Should there be an emphasis on martial activity in living history and high-fidelity re-enactment? Many seem to feel, no--and when you look at how medieval re-enactment has been an exercise in futilely trying to portray men an...

Jeff J

WARNING! THAT IS NOT A BRIGANTINE! Nor is it a decent cote of plates that any reenactment organization worth the name would accept. It seems you are looking for an inexpensive "in" to getting armor, for reenactment, but sorry, that vendor's products won't take you there. Look around the forum here, ...

Jeff J

We concentrate heavily on historical armor, very high museum grade. So, (ahem) who ARE you? Not meaning to question your veracity, or imply that I know everyone in the business, but I thought I knew all of the high-end armorers, either in person or via this and other internet fora. Do you have a we...

Jeff J

However, be aware that doing this WILL make an enemy out of the coach of that salle. I can't tell you how many demos I've done at FIE/USFA salles, only to be politely told never to return afterwards because now half of their students are at my practice. That, and what Illadore said. She's smart. S-...

Jeff J

Dante della Luna wrote:I've actually got a pouch full of magical beans... email me if yer interested.

Silly - the traditional/ancient way is to use dragon's teeth.

Jeff J

Raid the local fencing salle and tempt them away with discussion of historical techniques.

Jeff J

So German Gothic armour is really thicker than contemporary Italian plate? The italian armet I handled last year weighed 4 pounds. Very interesting data point, and a great way to modify my armor spiel: "The difference between my smooth italian armor and this fellow's ornately ridged german-style ar...

Jeff J

About five years ago I got into an argument with the local fencing marshal over the pronunciation of gorget (I pronounced it gor-jet). I don't believe he has ever forgiven me my impertanance for not going for the phoney french sounding name. You know - it'll be nice when our hobby is more mainstrea...

Jeff J

I I somewhat distrust the oft-repeated "it must have been fine stuff for scrubbing pots" remark tossed off in many arms and armor books -- has this actually been put to the test and what were the results? Was a little square of E4-1 at least as efficient as a green scrubbie? Yes. Mail is wonderful ...

Jeff J

It's red.

Jeff J

Pass - Utah means on good beer available.

Jeff J

Congratulations!

However, all of this excitement is not good for your heart, so you might as well give it to me.

OR, you could give it to Charlotte as a token of worship.

OR, you could give it to the Ninja Monkeys that I've sent to kick the crap out of Alejandro's ninjas...

Mending armor - the historical way

Re: ???