The Armour Archive

Black Swan Designs

Because what fabric was called in the 15th C. isn't always what it is called or sold as today, here is the industry standard for fabrics so you know the difference and can ask for what you want- Brocade- fabric woven with an elaborate design, especially one having a raised overall pattern, non-rever...

Black Swan Designs

We have Knight School every month, you're more than welcome to come check it out! Knight School- Knightly Combat and Jousting We're also planning a more informal Open Practice Day once a month as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer. Email Jeffrey if you're interested- info[at]knightschoo...

Black Swan Designs

Jeffrey Forgeng will be back in 2010, and at past events he and some of the guys have had fun playing around with sparring and foot combat. In the days leading up to the event there is usually/always someone standing around who wants to have a go with the weapons. If you bring armour and joust, ther...

Black Swan Designs

Kaos, we've had ground crew from all over the world (Seattle, Texas, New York, Canada, England, Belgium, New Zealand). I can't pay you to attend, but I can generally arrange to put you up and feed you, especially if you have your own kit. The foot combat is the purview of the competitors, but if you...

Black Swan Designs

Cotton damask has a flat finish which I don't like, and in my experience gets dirty really easily. I prefer something with rayon in it, as it generally has a better 'look', and spot cleans better. At least that's been my experience. You also want something with a bit of weight in it to hold the plea...

Black Swan Designs

There you go- advice from the uber-historical groups. Personally (and I'm only speaking for myself here) I generally don't like the ecclesiastical fabrics because they *look* like ecclesiastical fabrics to me. Most (not all) of the ones I've seen are based on earlier (12-13thC.) designs, and that ju...

Black Swan Designs

Not familiar with that, but I'm quite sure Jeffrey would be only too happy to supply them to whoever wanted to use them.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Chris, not sure what what you mean as far as recommending fabrics, so I'll take a stab at what I think you might mean. AFAIK the uber-authentic groups want plain coloured wool, with various restrictions on colour choices. Some *might* let you go with a patterned fabric, all the way from sorta OK all...

Black Swan Designs

@zachos- Maybe that 'I was there' 'sounded' more confrontational than intended.

Nice photos! We did some like that in the old Red Company days. What date are you shooting for exactly?

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Just call me CÃ©sar. Viva la revoluciÃ³n!

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

'sOK, people who can't sew keep me in business.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

it's a pleated coat over a mahoitred doublet. Yes, I made his outfit. Here are other pleated coats/outfits I've made- Jeffrey http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2060/120/110/593316207/n593316207_2426966_8791.jpg My brother Dom http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v77/120/110/5933162...

Black Swan Designs

@zachos- I was there when Arne took that shot, which is why I posed the question. @mBlazek- What Kaos and Jeff said @Lloyd- I know that helmet, it now belongs to Steve Mallet. Knowing the helmet on a first name basis, I still pose the question - 'Do you *really* want to joust in a sallet???" Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Just think- you could start a revolution!

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Do you *really* want to joust in a sallet????

Black Swan Designs

Yup, he knows, he's working on it.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

See, there ya go. All it takes is a little thinking outside the box.

Take pictures.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

These were developed for use in our tournaments, and some WMA practitioners expressed interest in them. Simulators designed to meet the needs of SCA fighters already exist, so it seems that the 2 markets we are aware of have their needs met. Who do you think might use other types of realistic pollax...

Black Swan Designs

Hallo Jon!

Well done! We'll see you at our tournament yet! How's the riding coming along?

xx
Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Jeff has put the rules used for 2009 back up here:

Tournament of the Phoenix Rules, 2009

Fred Piraux was involved in the organization of the fighting for the show. If you have questions, please contact him at fb031804[at]skynet.be.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

As Jeff pointed out to me, if a few / couple / bunch of SCA guys wanted to use weapons like this, there would be nothing stopping you from getting together a non-official SCA practice and having a go with them.

Just a thought.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

I can make them. It would be a great way to use some of my short ends and pieces. I have boiled wool in a good range of colours- black, red, blue, green, grey, ivory, tan, brown, etc.

Email me direct- gwen [at]historicenterprises.com

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Jeff's response, clipped from the other thread- ----------- The fact is, other people make axe/hammer heads that work just fine for SCA, so I saw no need to make this piece also suitable for SCA. The entire goal of this item was to produce something that would offer a realistic pollaxe combat simula...

Black Swan Designs

Tiberius- Brilliant use of Animoto to showcase your work!! I think I'm going to do one for me of my stuff. Adric13- 'My wife paints' has to be the understatement of the CENTURY. Holy moses, that is fantastic work!! Maeyrk- *drool* on those chairs. -Really- nice. I remember exactly how much I wanted ...

Black Swan Designs

@ Sean- Price is $164.95 for the head, which comes ready to assemble on a 1 1/8" x 1 3/8", 57" long haft. We can mount it for you on a haft of red oak for an additional $50, but remember that doing so will add -substantially- to your shipping charges. They are not yet on the website, ...

Black Swan Designs

Maybe, but these were never intended for the SCA market, so there's little incentive to make the construction -more- difficult, or fiddly. It would be great if the SCA could use them, but I think we'll have to settle for WMA and other combat groups.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

(Couldn't wait for more!!) I have have almost nothing but images from our events, and people mostly take pictures of armour! I did find a couple that are 15th C. 'stuff', not specifically armour- Lady of Honour and Lady judges. http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs041.snc3/12845_1951933662...

Black Swan Designs

Less time talking, more time making cool things! More pictures please!!!

Black Swan Designs

The langets fit a haft that is rectangular at the head end. As long as the head end is rectangular, you can profile the rest of the haft into any shape you prefer. Jeff prefers slightly rectangular with the corners taken off, so I suppose technically it's an octagon. Oh, and Jeff is working on butt ...

Black Swan Designs

You guys are funny. Toby would get a kick out of your banter. @ Carnifex- Price is $164.95 for the head, which comes ready to assemble on a 1 1/8" x 1 3/8", 57" long haft. We can mount it for you on a haft of red oak for an additional $50, but remember that doing so will add -substan...

Black Swan Designs

'Glitterati'?

Black Swan Designs

OK, I'll bring that request to Jeff's attention. Thanks for the suggestion.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Really baggy hose looks like soggy diaper bottom, and well worthy of something an adult male should have nightmares about. What group are you with Zachos? I'm assuming Alan Lamb's lot.

Black Swan Designs

I dig the clothes as much as the armour Sounds like the crowd I hang with... Gwen, my hose aren't tight enough... Gwen, I want a new hat, a really flashy one.... Gwen, can you make my next coat shorter?..... Gwen, I need new arming points..can you make them red this time?... The living definition o...

Black Swan Designs

Isn't 'mafia' 'thug' in Italian?

I'd suggest 'fashionista', but I don't think the boys would like that.