The Armour Archive

Mike F

I bought a sealed box of Rage for $5 about a year ago. There is some demand, but not much.

Mike F

Hal: There are a number of systems you can set up where you can add news and do other things with a very simple interface. I'm sure there are also programs for online shopping, etc. that are similar. I have a web host I use who offers secure online transactions (I think, we don't use it) and I know ...

Mike F

Greaves are highly fitted. The demigreave on the bottom of the knee is good for attaching a greave to or leaving it alone. Plus, since the SCA disallows lower leg shots, that's full enough for SCA combat. Ultimately, I think they're full because greaves are always custom if you want them to fit right.

Mike F

Red: Works with the kidneys, too, and those are easier to put stuff over without impeding movement.

Mike F

Unfortunately, I've noticed that 14th and 15th centuries (like most of them) are very large places (spanning close to 100 years! ) and as such, when looking for clothes for 1415, I find I can't find much beyond the century. I'd be happy with clothes dated from 1390 to 1415. In all honesty, after abo...

Mike F

I see a tremendous amount of art with sallets (especially onthe French) from Agincourt, however, you can't really trust the armor of an event in an illumination, you tend to see armor from the date the illumination was made. Effigies from Agincourt tend to show a large amount of great bascinets (fro...

Mike F

On the 24th of October 1415 King Henry the Fifth, leading less than 6,000 men, was engaged by 40-50,000 French men-at-arms. Henry (due to circumstances best discussed elsewhere) achieved victory, killing 10,000 men while losing only around 300 of his own. The English still speak of this victory toda...

Mike F

Frightening? Erik, I've met you and Brian. Nothing can be more frightening!

Really looking forward to all of this.

Mike F

I just got my credit card statements, and I'm afraid I won't be bidding any more, sorry.

Mike F

No non-hidden plastic. I'd prefer no Ni or Al (sorry, mrks, et. al. Not my cup of tea). Allow halfswording. Personally, I think the SCA does fairly well on an interpersonal level. Politics are something I avoid at all costs. It's hard as an officer, believe me. I'd also like to see official training...

Mike F

I can't help with the steel, but as a warning, the British used the tool and dye dishing for helms in WW2, and the tops were so thin they broke very simply (<.5mm)

If you had several dies, you could make good use of it, but it thins the metal a lot with one die.

Mike F

Mike, I thought that was a painter here today.

You have violated the sacred order of The Mike, and as such will be placed into my basement, to craft armor for the rest of your days, BWA HA HA!

Oh, and give me your tickets. And those the thugs gathered.

Mike F

I'll bid $100.

Mike F

Why would I want to wear an artichoke on my head? They taste fine, sure, but . . .

Mike F

Hal, to build on what Hrogn mentioned, perhaps you should also start looking into etching, gilding and the like. Time consuming and kinda expensive, but worth it if you do the low-volume high-quality approach. And look up local swordfighting groups. I know a few members of the Chicago Swordplay Guil...

Mike F

Copper's not quite expensive, but it's not cheap. I'd vote for recycling or a scrap yard.

Or see if anyone around you does copper (or brass) castings and give it to them. Next time you need something cast, they at least know your name.

Mike F

Harbor Freight anvils don't have good horns in my experience. I still use mine, and I feel only a little need for a real one, but they're expensive. If you can, find a leg vice. They hold metal, stakes, dishing forms (if they have a stake attachment on them) and anything else you could want. I highl...

Mike F

How do you throw flat snaps in your neck of the woods? Most of our basic attacks in Cear Anterth actually strike the face instead of the side of the helm. Your positioning (from what I can see) would prevent that. Where is the point of the shield when you hold it? I was told to hold mine with the po...

Mike F

Ah. So the rules say no for everything but a GS or a glave. Not too much of a problem, I guess. As far as historical accuracy, it's accurate for my persona, at least. As far as danger, our thrusting tips are padded, and while damage can be done anyway, proper armor for the period would all but prote...

Mike F

Picked up mine.

The odds are spectacular compared to a lot of things, and the best part is, no matter who gets it, it'll be appreciated. And, hopefully, shown around to everyone else.

Mike F

Welded helms tend to ring. If you but an aventail on or add any number of little bits that get riveted on, that usually cuts down on the ringing. There are many posts about fixing ringing helms, also. Just as alternatives. Dynamat, last I saw it (for cars) was expensive, and as they pointed out, hea...

Mike F

I just spent the half hour pouring over Northshield and SCA Corp regs regarding armored combat. The greatsword rules allow a ricasso and grip length of half the blade and there are no specific bans (that I can find) on halfswording. Is this defacto permission to use halfswording? I also noticed on L...

Mike F

Hal, demand for armor outstrips supply, but quality armor is both hard to find and not something casual people will appreciate for what it is. You'll always find a home for it, but it may take a long while. I'm sorry eBay has been bad to you. I'd suggest making more kits, as that seems to get you a ...

Mike F

Depending on interpretation, there are either one or two horizontal straps across the back. I blew mine a while back, and they're largely unneeded, but they make the armor snugger. If you like that (as I do) you may want to consider it gets put under some stress. The sad part is I have a picture of ...

Mike F

I'm trying to create a more accurate kit from boot to cap, sabatoon to bascinet, and I'm looking for a swordbelt. I recall seeing a picture of a swordbelt which was a pair of belts (one on the hip, the other hanging down from that with the scabbard) and a strap from the rear of the scabard up to the...

Mike F

Jeff: People are lazy, and think (often incorrectly) that it's easier to be half-assed. Not to insult anyone, that's just my opinion on this.

I personally like this idea, and I will try to help both by staying on topic in both. As JT said, it can always be put back. I wouldn't mind that, either.

Mike F

Amalric Unomen wrote: I really wish the SCA looked half this good.

Give me time, and I'll try to look at least as good as these fellows. One person at a time, right?

Mike F

Halvgrim: I recall hearing about some iconographic evidence*, but I was fairly certain about no examples. Neat stuff, though.

*There was some debate about it representing a diety anyway, and no, I can't cite the evidence, sorry.

Mike F

WD-40 also builds up in some areas, mostly lames in joints. I saw a Mac harness taken care of soley with WD-40, and the only problem (after almost a decade) was some buildup.

Mike F

That statue, while possibly of an armor of the Edo period, is most likely completely of an artist's interpretation.

The legs and feet are misinterpreted or stylized, as is the loin panel. Same with the inside of the elbows and the vambraces. It looks fairly decent (if late-period) otherwise.

Mike F

Asking about armour cool. Asking about shortcuts to make the armour acceptable to a specific game belongs on the armour forum. Pretty straightforward. Ask about Frankish helmets here. Ask about making them pass an SCA inspection on the armour board. Seems pretty straightforward to me. I agree, on t...

Mike F

Grimstone: I'm still not following, sorry. You're talking LH and I'm talking SCA. LH doesn't -need- protection that I know of. Also, cheap armor that won't protect you is cheap armor that won't protect you, even if it's period. (thin iron was used quite extensively for a loooong time) Otherwise, I s...

Mike F

You can do a lot of hot (or at least warm) work with a propane/MAPP torch. Cheap and useful.

Mike F

Sorry for such a quick post, but Glen brought up a point I'd like to address (he posted as I was posting) I think that is the debate, is if this is the right or wrong place. I got sidetracked on the propriety of it. I missed the point. I think it's appropriate, as we're attempting to become more aut...

Mike F

Grimstone: I agree with your insulin-hiding box, but I disagree on the armor. Correct armor will protect you. I don't feel the need to use titanium, kevlar, trigger, etc. but most of that is personal preference. Trigger for fencing is for safety, but it can be easily hidden. Helmets and gorgets (whi...

Looking for English clothing from 1410-1415

Halfswording question [SCA]

Looking for a swordbelt/scabbard I've seen a picture of