The Armour Archive

Cat

LOL I'm not entirely sure I share your optimism, but I do thank you for your vote of confidence! (Although, right now I'm doped up on pain meds and muscle relaxers, so optimism is coming a bit easier to me ) I've found more info on those cases - thanks to the info on Karen's site. I've got museum lo...

Cat

I have thanked her via PM, but I also want to thank her in public. Due to all of the WONDERFUL information she has gathered on her site, I have changed the way I decide on items to make. I am going to do my best to offer items based on actual historical pieces, and hope to have the documentation to ...

Cat

Nice pouch! You did a great job! Alot of work with into this, folks, so keep that in mind when considering your bid. Handsewing takes a decent amount of time and effort, and there's a good bit of it here. Deerskin is also not cheap. This pouch is well worth his original asking price. Good luck! Cat

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Thanks so much! I've had a couple people offer to help, but if those don't oan out, I will PM you! This all may be a waste of time, as museums rarely respond to email inquiries, but I figured it can't hurt.

Thanks again!
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Hey guys, I am looking for someone who speaks Russian, and who wouldn't mind contacting the Novgorod museum on my behalf. I have some questions about a couple of pieces they have in that museum.

If you could do this, please let me know.

Thanks!
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Oh ya, that's what I was gonna do - I was gonna look up penners. I will gladly take any pics you have of queer bully stuff.

I'm having entirely too much fun with this!

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LOL! I'm afraid both you and Conal are gonna have to fight Chef for it.

Now might be a good time, too as I think Aaron has his sword.

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This one is probably going to be my size "small". Here are the specs: Outer Dimensions: ~3.75" wide ~1.75" deep ~4" tall Inner Dimensions: ~3.25" wide ~1.25" deep ~3.25" tall This was made to accomodate the tablets and a stylus. I may end up having a "lar...

Cat

Thank you very much. I had thought about copying the mistakes that are visible on the original, but that kind of "went against the grain" so to speak. I wish now that I had. I of course made mistakes of my own, but since they're not the same as the ones on the original, I think it lost som...

Cat

Again, thanks so much everyone! I'm excited about these cases, and look forward to making more - hopefully with the right stitching. Knitebee - Your tablet is looking awesome! I hope the casting turns out as nicely as it looks like it's gonna! Gimme a yell when it's done and we can discuss a case fo...

Cat

Ok, I'm gonna make myself sound stupid, but what do you mean by bristles? I can guess at what a curved awl is, but I have never seen one. I really don't have much experience with leatherworking tools. I'm still using a nail, a cuticle pusher backer thing and a nail set to do some of my tooling. Cat

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James B.,
Thanks for the suggestion! I will give that a try. Man, you've gotta hand it to these medieval craftsmen. They didn't have the tools and technology we do today, and they didn't take the easy way out. Very talented people.

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Thanks guys. Aaron - any time. Just email me. Strongbow - I didn't get the specifics on this one, but I have info on another that was meant to be a case for writing tablets. As for uses today, well you could use it just like a pouch. One person wants one for his camera. Since this is hardened, it wi...

Cat

Must have missed that last part...

Yes, this is wet formed around a form.

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Yes, I have done that kind of stitching before...and I'm not that great at it. It's VERY easy to rip out the hole, so I decided to play it safe. I need more practice with it, and I think I need to get/make a teeny curved needle. The glover's needles I have are too big, and didn't look like they were...

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Last two...
Thanks for looking.

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/LeafCasetop15thcent.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/15thcentcase4reduced.jpg[/img]

Cat

More...

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/LeafCasesideb15thcent4web.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/15thcentcase3reduced.jpg[/img]

Cat

More pics..

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/LeafCasebackb15thcent.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747693/15thcentcase1reduced.jpg[/img]

Cat

Well, I've made a good number of things - some that were "based on" something I had seen, and some that were ideas of my own. This one was my first attempt at making something that was intended to be an accurate representation of an actual piece. It's not an exact copy, but I did the best ...

Cat

I tested out a new pouch pattern, based off the Hedeby circle pouch, and found it to be too small/too inefficient of a pattern for my taste. This one is just big enough that it would probably hold a fire striker and some flint, along with maybe a few coins. When flat, the pouch has a 9" diamete...

Cat

Trial by fire...I think that's what it's called. I recall the responses made to my first post....they made fun of me. I was offering a coif for sale and had on a ski mask that covered my face. It actually served two purposes - it kept the coif from pulling my hair, and it kept me from having to have...

Cat

You can use natural charcoal, such as Cowboy Brand. (Lowe's sells it) This is NOT the charcoal briquettes, but chunks of charred hardwoods. It's period, too, although I don't know how late it was used.

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Leather items from all periods would be great if you happen to pass by any. It would be REALLY REALLY great if you could get shots that clearly show the construction and the tooling details. Dead on shots of tooling details work the best. I would be more than happy to throw some money your way if yo...

Cat

Sounds good guys. I wish I could help you all out now, but I'm a bit busy for a while. I will do my best to get to them as quickly as possible though.

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Allrighty, I will add these to my list of prototypes to make. I need to learn to use a sewing machine, as I've never used one before. Handstitiching may be an option, but it will be pricey. I'm thinking canvas with raw cotton batting (which, of course, came from a store that's now out of business), ...

Cat

Ya know, I have been thinking of adding these to my line up. I have patterns for these in a few different sizes, and my hubby got me a sewing machine for Christmas. It will be a good while before I can get these going (maybe a few months), so I know this doesn't help you out right now though. Maybe ...

Cat

Again, thanks so much! That is very helpful! I may see about getting some of these.

Thanks!
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I imagine the leather would need to be a cone shape as well, otherwise it will hang funny. Pattern it out of a paper grocery store bag first to get the shape right, then add a bit to account for leather thickness and seam allowance. You probably only need and 1/8" seam allowance, depending on w...

Cat

Those will do nicely! Thanks!

Any idea what they mean by "economy pewter"? Are they sturdy? Anybody happen to know the overall dimensions for these? Some 5/8" buckles are quite big.

Thanks again!
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Yes, they DO have some nice looking stuff! The only problem is that their 5/8" buckles are a bit more than I can pay. These will be for the bracers I offer, and I need to keep the price as low as possible. Just a plain "D", (nothing fancy), would be just fine. I could have sworn I saw...

Cat

Thanks for the suggestions and links! I've looked at them all, and haven't quite found what I am looking for. I'm looking for plain, 5/8" buckles. (not the figure 8 kind, just with a single .....whatever....like a "D" buckle, if you see what I mean.) I am looking in the $2 to $3 retai...

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I'm looking to buy...well maybe not "bulk", but several period style buckles (maybe 15th century-ish), and was wondering if there was a US supplier that someone could recommend. I've looked at Beathan's stuff - which I like - , but I'm not sure I want to deal with overseas shipping. Thanks...

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They beheaded a saint?

Where's the rest of him? Is it still around?

Thanks,
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I'm thinking it might mash down over time. I know when my slippers did that, they weren't very padded anymore. If you were able to sew it in, you could just replace it as necessary.

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Only one slot left...

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A public THANK YOU to Karen Larsdatter

Looking for someone who speaks Russian

My first reproduction

FS: Teeny Hedeby style pouch

Period buckles in the States?