The Armour Archive

Mike F

Yea, I'm rolling at a 6.5 for my WIP kit. Time to start over to get the nice lace spacing and good lines.

Mike F

I realize the three-plate bowls are used in the sengoku period, but they always seem Edo to me. Besides, if you're going to be converting a helm, you're not going for hardline accuracy. Of course, you should check your facts and get something that'll work for you. Although in the SCA looking big is ...

Mike F

Ron: Wonderful pictures! I hadn't thought of any of that . . . mmm . . .

Now to see if I can make a slipcover for my sugarloaf!

Seriously, I reccomend any and all of Rob's ideas, and I gravitate towards the hair, myself.

Mike F

I'm unsure I'd like the pointy shape, but considering the "acorn shape" kabuto, it's possible . . . I don't think it'd look any worse than a lot of gear in the SCA, Japanese or otherwise. Maybe you could use some epoxy paint or the like to fake ridges? I think it'd help a lot. Granted, it'd break un...

Mike F

"This new learning amazes me! Tell me again how sheep's bladders can be used to predict earthquakes!"

And I can't believe we ignored: "I am Roger, the shrubber. I design and arrange shrubberies."

Dunno why that makes me grin.

Actually, Hal . . . "Had enough 'eh?"
"Look I'll have your leg!"

Mike F

*grumble grumble* Stupid being better than me and having more time. *sighs* Seriously, great work, man! I'm proud to even know you as a board member! Just so you know, I'm saving all these images in an attempt to learn something from them. Just FYI. And where was this? Some sort of medical facility ...

Mike F

BWA HA HA HA! Oh, man, that'd be a kicker once we ran out of ammo, but until then, I doubt the armor would help.

Seriously, that's pretty funny, even if it isn't true.

"Sir, we're low on ammunition!"

"Send in the SCAdians!"

Mike F

Aww, Hal, don't give up! You're one of the better armorers on this board, and with enough practice, I'm sure you could do such fantastic work that it wouldn't even be funny. Four years . . . Wow. I hope to do that after eight. You're right in that this isn't something to try to turn a major profit o...

Mike F

Ah . . . <i>that</i> explains what happened to my arms.

Mike F

It's possible it got lost. If you can't find it, PM me and we'll talk there.

And everyone will be able to see your experiments! Bwa ha ha!

Mike F

Alas. Sometimes it's best just to let things go. We'll never figure it out. Best thing to do is just try to prevent it in the future.

Mike F

I just hope most of that data is safe! That's a lot of information by a lot of really knowledgable people!

Mike F

I use a rawhide for anything major, a rubber mallet for light dishing, and a very small ball-peen for really extreme stuff. The only problem with that (obviously) is how much planishing I need to do. I suggest the rawhide. The time and effort I save in planishing makes up for the slightly slower mov...

Mike F

Rice seems liek a nice place, but out of three e-mails I sent, including one where I asked for a price on an order, they only replied to the middle one where I asked why they hadn't gotten back to me in two weeks regarding another price check. If you can swing $150 for a minimum order, try jaytim.co...

Mike F

I miss all of you guys.

Believe me, I was at this get-together, and the talks and demos there were wonderful. Next time we get together, I'll try to make it down and we can save some shipping, eh?

Mike F

Where were you guys when I ordered lace about two weeks ago? Check out http://www.jaytrim.com If you can set up a wholesale account you can order lace pretty cheaply. Before international shipping, anyway. I'd love to offer to help you (as I have an account) but with classes this year, I can't make ...

Mike F

Wouldn't it depend on how you draw the temper? I mean, if it's all he can get, he can probably draw the temper back pretty far and still have a decent toughness.

Mike F

How did that go? Crime against Kami and man? I'd be more interested in seeing the US flag sode. Hey . . . Who has lace and stupidity to make a "tartan" dou with flad o-sode? Speaking of which, Eff . . . Check your e-mail, I have your lace. Just pulling 14 hour days at the university, so I have about...

Mike F

Interesting idea, Mik. The problem I see is that I'm already worried about my dou will hold up. A piece of aluminum would be more prone to dents and bends which would need to be repaired. Am I sure? No. But just today was was trying to figure out if I could roll the hidden edges of my 16ga steel har...

Mike F

Yea, I know, Randy. Driving a Geo puts a crimp in large steel purchases. I'm getting ready for 10 hour days at MSOE, so armoring is getting set up to a little less of a priority. If you do another 14-18 ga order, I'll throw some money in, but I sure don't need a 4x8. Give me a buzz when the group or...

Mike F

Piercing will be an issue (as mentioned) but fluting like that really isn't overly hard, just time-consuming.

Mike F

If you want to go the route Sasuke did, I have a local jewler that does lost wax casting and is dirt cheap. As far as setting stones, I don't reccomend it for fear of damage. Of course, you don't get good by not doing anything. I assume you have a special type of ring in mind, so might I suggest tal...

Mike F

Well, my theory is, if it bleeds, I won't get tentanus. If I'm wrong, I won't be able to say much about it.

See, you guys all worry me. I love medical science and all, but I want my limbs to stay intact.

Plus I'd never live it down.

Mike F

I . . . I can almost read the hiragana on the armor parts. I'm so happy!

That 3d is great! If only people would be that good at making video game models.

Mike F

You don't want to do this. Seriously. It makes you want to kill yourself. I use a 1/8 rod for the round and a hammered rod slightly less than 1/8 while round to make the oval links. All in all, the oval links ate less than 1/8" across in major ID even after hammering. However, if you do it larger, h...

Mike F

Man, you guys make me both sad and happy to be up here. First off, I don't have any major injuries. On the other hand, I don't have any neat stories . . .

I'll keep my fingers. You guys, too.

I will make it down there to say "Hi" someday. Really.

Mike F

Ir depends what you're looking for. If you want to pick up in large quanitities, I hear a dollar a pound is a good rate. I pay about a dollar and a half myself. I end up getting the small chunks from Menards. Works so far . . . I just hope the new Home Depot will have steel and cheaper. Since I'm th...

Mike F

I was lucky enough to see a prototype as well. Thye're certainly not the largest thing in the world, but that's on purpose. I can't remember exactly what Eff said about them to me (my apologies) but they're based on period scales and set up to be appropriate and accurate. As for how they're used, ch...

Mike F

After making a section of "authentic" Japanese maille, I'm quite convinced that I'm going to be long dead before my kote are done. I'm tempted to forgo the maille . . . You know, I think I will. I'll make dress arms later. These shall be for combat. Which means I can also, in good conscience, put of...

Mike F

Thank you for your verification. It means quite a bit to hear it from the armorer(s) that worked on the helm.

Mike F

Not a problem. Next time I'll be abusive, too. How's that?

I've noticed simply being polite makes people back down quite a bit. It's strange. Useful, but strange.

Mike F

Good call, Ralph. I never even thought of that . . . Well, the next two days are shot for making a new one, as I've been drafted to work for the next two days despite the fact that yesterday was my last day. *sighs* Can't refuse a birthday request to work, though. I also recieved permission to work ...

Mike F

Next one's yours, Deykin. Promise.

Mike F

Now, I don't know what would be less charitable - to assume that other kits kicking around that are that far from authenic belong to people who are as lazy & apathetic as I was, or to people who really can't tell crap from non-crap even after putting the time in. *snip* But surley we can all agree ...

Mike F

Sigh Nice thoughts Mike, right up untill you went and insulted everyone that isnt doing what you have done: "I think the point is apathy, not lack of skill." see what I mean? See why i get annoyed? Yes, we all want nice kits for us and others No, people who arnt doing it your way are not just "apat...