The Armour Archive

Cat

Here's some more progress pics. I've got all of the designs on that's supposed to be there (at least I think I got them all), and I have gone around some of them with brown edge coat to highlight them. The ear pieces will eventually be riveted on in I think 3 places.

Cat

Cat

Well, my plans at this time are to make it all, from the tip of his hood down to the toe of his boots. But, there's alot of complicated patterning involved in some of this stuff (well, to me anyway), not to mention the fact that it's hard to find good pics from the angles I need. So, I am going to t...

Cat

Ya ain't kiddin' about that extra damage! I was wearing it at snowpeak and bumped into a lump of ice - I took a good sized hit. I was wondering why it did so much damage, then I realized "crap...Zora armour's on...". I love the Zelda games. I've been playing them since the original came ou...

Cat

Thanks. I'm not sure what you mean by seperate pieces and rounding off. Can you maybe do a sketch? I'm making this one to look as close as the one in the game as I can, but this fantasy stuff is kinda fun and I wouldn't mind trying another! I got the pattern pieces done for the upper ears, and I hav...

Cat

Thanks. I've tossed around the idea of going back, re wetting the eyes, and dishing those out a bit further, because in some of the pics, it looks like the eyes are rather bulbous. I tried it on the first prototype, but I can't decide if I like it or not. I don't want to ruin it, so I'm still undeci...

Cat

Ok, I've got it shaped, and now it's drying. Tomorrow I will work on the patterns for the upper cheek/ear pieces. I also need to dye it and paint it, but it's almost done.

After that, I need to work on the scale shirt he wears, then the vambraces, then the tunic, then the boots.

Cat

Cat

These people advertised on a Viking forum I belong to, and I thought some of you might find this of interest. I have no idea what their reputation is, or what their prices are, but I thought it was kind of neat that they can make the tent by hand out of period materials. Probably not cheaply, though...

Cat

This is kinda cool too....

Cat

Ok, so I got the new Legend of Zelda game (Twilight Princess), and the character gets some armour from the Zoras. I thought this stuff looked pretty cool, so I decided to give it a try. It's still a work in progress, and I plan to make all of it. Right now, I have done 2 prototype "helms" ...

Cat

Ok, so basically thinning it down should give me a lighter color, right? Like I said, the neutral dye didn't do a very good job with lightening, so I will try the water with the dye I have, and then maybe try the reducer too to see if there's any difference.

Thanks!
Cat

Cat

You know, I never thought about using dog bones. That's a great idea, thanks!

I will also check out the knife forums and see if I can find more info.

Thanks so much,
Cat

Cat

Yes, it does say it's paint.....I didn't scroll down far enough. I don't want that then. I think Angelus makes a purple dye, so maybe the reducer will help lighten it. The place I bought it from told me the neutral would lighten it, but it didn't. Have you used a reducer before? Does it do a good jo...

Cat

Ok, I need to find a place that carries light colored leather dyes that actually come out LIGHT. I have some light blue Angelus dye, but it came out pretty dark when used in a small area. I added the neutral dye to it to lighten it up, but it didn't work. Would the dye reducer do a better job at lig...

Cat

Thanks for the warning about the dust! I would never have guessed that it would be bad for you. I will be sure to wear a mask. Got a couple more questions - If I don't cook the bone, can I clean it with bleach, or would soap and water be better? Also, can bone be shaped? Like, is there a way to soft...

Cat

So boiling them doesn't make them too brittle? I've used soup bones to make soup before (cause I'm too cheap to pay $8 for a couple of short ribs), and they came out all dried up lookin'. And YES, it smelled awfull, which is not good for something that you plan on eating!

Cat

Cat

I've been thinking of making some things out of bone, but I have some questions. Can I use cow bone, like what I can get from the grocery store? How do you clean and sterilize it? Does it sand well? Can I use wood carving chisels to carve it? Thanks, and if there is anything else that I need to know...

Cat

Ahhh you got it safe and sound...Good! I was going to email you to see if it arrived ok. I asked my husband about how to set the gap, and it's been so long since we used it that he doesn't remember. I know there is a set screw somewhere that you tighten/loosen to make the adjustments. I'm wanting to...

Cat

Yes they are.

Although it turns out the copper I used was actually there to hold one of our ladders. LOL, oh well! It was just hanging there, so I tooks it I did.

Thanks so much!
Cat

Cat

Well, I've seen so many of these lately that I thought I would try to make one myself. It took longer than I thought, but it was fun. This one is made of copper and has some file work on it, and the edge has a hammered texture. Measures about 2 1/16" across. Asking $10 plus shipping. Cat Ps. I ...

Cat

Ok this is off topic, but SOS pads do a decent job at getting dye off of skin. One time, I was trying to mix dyes using a syringe (sp?), and , well the little rubber washer thingie got hung up inside the plastic tube, and when it finally slid down, it sprayed all over my face and neck. (Ok, so I'm n...

Cat

Ya, you're probably right. These just looks ridiculously massive next to the sword. I guess I may have to wait and see.

Cat

Cat

Well, it looks like I have just about everything there (or things that serve the same function) but the soapstone. So, if you end up parting it out, I would be interested in a price on that, and the metal hunks. If the others ahead of me don't claim it first, that is.

Thanks,
Cat

Cat

Ok, I just bought 2 of the large sized clearance chapes from Albion, and I didn't realize how large they actually were. These are going to be way too big for the sword I'm making, so I was wondering if anyone had a smaller one they wanted to trade for. I bought one steel one and one brass one, so if...

Cat

I was just about to ask on here if anybody had some stuff. I'm looking for brass casting stuff too like crucibles and tongs and whatnot.

Pics and prices would be great, and I guess you can add me to the list of interested parties also.

Cat

Cat

Thanks everybody! There's so many that I just don't know what to choose. I've got a little bit of money and wanted to spend it in a way that would be the most beneficial, and now I'm thinking that maybe I should spend it on building a better forge. I don't know what to do...all I know is that this m...

Cat

Ok, well I finally got around to creating a page for all this shield stuff.

Here's a link:
http://www.freewebs.com/catherinesquest ... onents.htm

I would love to hear your comments about the items and the pricing! (Just don't make fun of my lack of web building skills.

)

Thanks!
Cat

Cat

Yes, it does cut 16 gauge stainless if you have the gap set right on the blades. It cuts fairly smooth. The piece you are cutting out comes out fairly clean, but the piece you are cutting off curls up and tends to get teeth marks on it from the blades - if that makes sense. Basically the scrap piece...

Cat

Well, I just finished my first set of these for a customer, and they were fun to make! I'm going to make these a regular item on my web site (eventually), but for now I thought I would list them here in case there was any interest. I can make these to order in whatever length you need, and in widths...

Cat

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try those on line libraries.

I already have a copy of TOMAR, so I guess I'm just looking for pictures mainly. The museum catalogs sound good. Any ones in particular that I should be looking for?

Thanks again,
Cat

Cat

I can do any size you need, in 2.5mm steel - only problem is I'm booked until mid March or so. Price is $35 plus shipping.

Here's a pic.
Cat

Cat

Well, OSU is not that far, and Capital University is even closer so maybe I could check those out. If I can find a place to park, that is. You can't park at OSU unless you have a sticker, and I don't really want to park off campus and walk. I can check the public library too, so I can write down the...

Cat

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Well, lemme see if I can clarify. I don't have an unlimited budget, but I don't think $50 is out of the question if it's going to be really helpful. I want a book that I can get ideas from so I'm ready when I get some proper tools (stakes and stuff). So, any book t...

Cat

I'm thinking of getting a book that has lots of good pics of period armour and would like to know if there are any reccommendations. The more pics, the better and it would be nice if it happened to include different views of some of the pieces. Color pics would be a big bonus. Anyone know of any? Th...

Cat

The shear is on it's way. I sent you a PM with the tracking info.

Thanks!
Cat

Cat

Thanks so much guys! I'm glad you are both happy with your items! As always, if you have any problems with them, please let me know.

Thanks again!
Cat

Authentic tents

Fantasy "helm" -Zora armour, Legend of Zelda

Need a source for good, light color leather dye

?'s about using bone for knife handles, etc.

Pennanular brooches are contagious...one FS

Want to Trade: Lrg Albion chape for something smaller

New page added to my site - shield components

Shield edging clips avail. for order -Edit-price lowered

Looking for armour book suggestions