The Armour Archive

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Justus, I know you weren't being critical. I was just being critical of myself. I might try back stitching to eliminate the knots. I think sheath makers use the same technique, but I didn't really trust it. I could probably leave the thread long after I back stitched, and glue it down on the inside....

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Honestly, I don't know how the stitching was done on these. I can't tell from the pictures I have, but it doesn't look like the originals have much visible stitching at all. I HATE the stitching on mine - it stands out like a sore thumb and I think it detracts from the overall look, but I don't know...

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Thanks so much guys! The KGH is Karen's initials. I didn't know if she was in the SCA or anything, so I just thought I'd use her real initials. A tutorial is probably a long way off. I am still developing ways to make these better, and to make them look more like the originals. I've got a few things...

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2 more, plus one of the original.

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[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/kc5.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/kc8.jpg[/img]

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This is a case I was making for Karen Larsdatter. It's based off of a case for a book that she has up on her site. France, early 16th century.... Just thought I'd post a few pics. Cat [img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/kc2.jpg[/img] [img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/kc...

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Knitebee - These are FANTASTIC! Very very nice! Bid high folks, alot of work went into this and it is very unique. Cat Ps. As a side note, seeing the case made out of thinner leather has convinced me that my initial thoughts were correct - I'm using stuff that's too thick. I think I'm gonna have to ...

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I've got a dice pouch I will give ya if ya need something to keep them in. It's just been sittin around here. It's brown elk skin with a linen cord. Hedeby circular pouch pattern.

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That turned out beautifully! VERY nice work, and a great inspiration!

Thanks for postings pics, but be sure to post pics when they're both done. I would also love to see a shot of the side you stitched.

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Thanks guys! Erick, I'm really glad you're happy with it! I hope it serves you well. If, however, you find that it falls short of your expectations once you put it to use, I would be more than happy to give you a refund. I got your email about the layout for your wife's case, so I will take a look a...

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Face shields don't seem to steam my glasses up as much, so that might be an option for anyone that wears glasses.

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I know exactly what you're asking, and am curious as to what the answer is myself.

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I would think it has to be. Some of this stuff I buy is 1/4" thick and beyond. Would they have had that? Besides, don't they do something to the leather to make it thicker?

Oh, by the way - here is that pic.

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The leather on extant pieces always looks so thin. Did they use thinner leather than what we typically use, or have the pieces thinned due to rot?

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Thanks Dan! That means alot! I'm so glad you're the one that ended up with that helmet. Looking at it now, it's really sloppy and amateur-ish, but I would have hated to see it go to someone who had no idea what went into the making of it. Since it was up on Ebay, it could have gone to anyone, and it...

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Well, it's finished. This is my first wet formed knife sheath. Up til now, I've only made a couple real simple ones that were basically two outer pieces sewn together with a welt in the middle. I ended up using neatsfoot on this. I just need it to stop rubbing off now. I've rubbed it down several ti...

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Well, I was comfortable in the knowledge that there were no such things as "neats", so I was feelin' all warm and fuzzy... til NOW.

In case you're wondering, NO I don't want to know what all the rest of the gunk is that gets used on leather. I am happy in my ignorance.

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Thanks for the info. That must have been what I was remembering (destructive to leather). I remember something about the 100% pure stuff being ok, but the less than pure stuff caused problems. I haven't seen any evidence either way, as my stuff goes out the door when it's done. I know I have test pi...

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Thanks for the responses. I do have atom wax, which was what I was going to use if the neatsfoot was a no go. In my experience, the atom wax comes out a bit stiffer than the oil, and since I want flexibility, I think I will go with the oil. My main concern was that the neatsfoot would damage the ste...

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I put this up in the off topics, but I figured I would get a faster response here. Is neatsfoot oil ok to use on a knife sheath, or will it damage the steel? I thought I read somehting about neatsfoot being bad for...something. It's 100% neatsfoot, if that makes a difference. Would wax be better? I ...

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I've lost the contact info for you and the search function is bringing up nothing. I want to talk to you about the shield handle you wanted. I've had a few set backs here and am far behind schedule.

Can you PM or email me?

Thanks,
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Email: dncgullett@sbcglobal.net

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Chef, that sounds very interesting. If I'm not knee deep in orders, I think I might like to take a shot at that. Sounds like I will have to learn how to wax harden, as something with that much surface area will probably want to collapse on itself. Donal, Thank you very much! This time, I used a varn...

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Seeing as how I would be insane if I actually added MORE work to my queue right now, I will add something I made in the past. Does that count? This was my first completed metal piece.

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James, that is freakin' awesome! Holy Shite! I do hope you are planning to post progress pics....otherwise we will have to hurt you. More pics more pics more pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Coffers are next, if I ever get the time.

I expect the hubby will make a full recovery...unless I kill him first. If I hear "Bring me a twinkie" one more time.......

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My husband is doing well. Thanks for asking! He's very sore, and it will probably take two to three weeks for recovery.

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Your comments are overwhelming - Thank you so much! Hal - Yes, the gold color is gold leaf. This was my first experience using it, and it was a bit more difficult that I thought. Since there's lots of tiny little elements in the design, it proved to be fairly time consuming. I had to apply the glue,...

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Oh wait....I'm out. I am "heraldry illiterate". I have no idea what any of that stuff means.

Besides, the others have far more experience than I do.

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Well, I'm booked solid for a good while but if you are looking into this for future reference, I am posting a pic of one of my cases and the original it's based off of. Really, anyone mentioned here could probably do what you are looking for.

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Thanks so much guys! Sorry for the delayed responses. My hubby had back surgery today, and I just got him home. I've been up since 4 AM, and it's 1:45 PM now.....long day, and long weeks ahead with his recovery. Magmaforge - Book of Kells images or Mac Bible images would look VERY nice on one of the...

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Thanks! No, you may not ask wht they are for. HAHA so there. Ok ok, I will tell you. The gold leaf case (the historical one) was made to hold a book of poems. I made the dimensions of mine a bit differently so it could be used like a pouch, which is what I think Erick is going to use his for. I've c...

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Thanks!
Oh, and that one was loosely based off of this historical one.

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Forgot specs on that one...

design areas dyed dark green, and then covered with gold leaf
rest of piece dyed light brown

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Thanks Aaron! The design and color scheme were his idea, so he gets credit for that. Are you still making knives and pouches? I haven't been looking at too much stuff here, so if you have, I've missed them. BTW, here is that other case I was working on. It's still not done (still needs the insert ma...

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Thanks! Well, there is some paint on it. The white parts are paint, the red is dye, and the black is edge coat. If I were to do it over, I would have used black dye instead of edge coat, as the edge coat tends to thin out and run when you apply sealer to it. The reason I used it was because it's a b...

Gold leaf leather case finished

Knife sheath - wax finish or neatsfoot?

Paging Rhyance Ap Llewellyn