The Armour Archive

Strongbow

Jehan de Pelham wrote:That still doesn't stop him from trying elm or ash, which are historically correct wood types, though second stringers to be sure.

Am I right on these wood types?

Yes. Also wych (which was also called wych elm, or wych hazel).

Strongbow

Well, like I said, once you have established a reputation, you could get more. Most established custom bowyers have long wait lists. If you get a supply of yew and are good at working it, you could pull in $500 a bow EASY. Not many bowyers are making yew self bows, and the demand is pretty high. The...

Strongbow

I'm trying to figure out what to do with my HE haubergeon. The sleeves are actually almost wrist length, but very baggy. I had originally intended to shorten them to mid-bicep ala the Ingham effigy of 1360-ish for my mid-14th century impression, but with the sleeves longer than anticipated, I'm con...

Strongbow

Hard to say without seeing it, but I'd guess you could get $100-150 for a good self bow. Black Locust isn't a correct wood for medieval europe, which will limit its appeal a bit, but if it shoots well, you should find a buyer. If you use a period wood, you could probably get $200, or a bit more. Hor...

Strongbow

That's the noble Jehan we all know and love. Ever willing to hazard himself so that others need not suffer.

Strongbow

I'm trying to figure out what to do with my HE haubergeon. The sleeves are actually almost wrist length, but very baggy. I had originally intended to shorten them to bid-bicep ala the Ingham effigy of 1360-ish for my mid-1th century impression, but with the sleeves longer than anticipated, I'm consi...

Strongbow

Chuck Davis wrote:
That being said, I use small finger bucklers when fighting bastard sword or with polearms.

Thanks for the input. I had originally contacted you about gaunts, but your que was full at the time.

Do you happen to have pics of the finger bucklers by any chance?

Strongbow

Nah, the bascinet for $200 isn't pictured. The spun-top fugly helm is a buch and quarter.

Lots of this guys stuff is Indian-made copies of Icefalcon stuff.

Strongbow

I've seen a hickory-backed osage bow that could pass for yew at 10 ft. They'd make great "shooter" bows in my opinion (saving the god-awful expensive yew bow for the up close and personal stuff). Having said that, there is no evidence for laminated longbows in the medieval period. Nada, none, zilch,...

Strongbow

Vitus von Atzinger wrote:My AB gauntlets (now owned by Duke Brannos) were simply incredible. Only a few stingers. Of course, I keep my hands AWAY. I changed the way I fight to keep my hands safer. It paid off.

Sir Vitus,

If I may ask, what do you wear now?

Strongbow

Deeds of arms are hazardous. Few men at arms escape a long career in the life of arms without injury. Jehan de Pelham, esquire and servant of Sir Vitus Indeed. I'm particularly concerned about avoiding ALL injury, but I don't want to invite it either. Thanks for your input Jehan. His Grace lives no...

Strongbow

Jack, what is needed is an authentic self bow. We need more correct, or as close to correct stuff out there as possible--the incorrect has been the norm. Heck, I don't know a lot about bows, but I believe this is the right formula: 1. Self bow. No lamination. "D" cross section. 2. Yew. Ash or Elm a...

Strongbow

Thanks to everyone for your imput. Uilleag: Well, it's been 15 years since I fought SCA and I've just dabbled over the last year as I've built my new kit, so it's safe to say I don't kow WHAT kind of fighter I am/will be. I can say, however, that won't be inclined to use the hilt/gauntlet for blocki...

Strongbow

In the Kingdom of AnTir those would only qualify as Demi Gaunts. To Qualify as full Gaunt s the plates would have to completely cover the finger, be articulated by rivets and ground out on the weapon. Thus creating a safe channel for the finger. Really? According to the An Tir Book of Combat, the r...

Strongbow

Sasuke's thread on his fantastic SCA finger gaunts has prompted this... as well as Jehan's comments on his own experiences. Since I do 14th century, finger gauntlets are the "proper" hand protection for me. I have a lovely pair made for me by Jiri Klepac. They include nice finger plates, heavy sole ...

Strongbow

I use a silicon spray. It displaces the water, and doesn't form a smelly oily mess like WD40.

Give it a spray after any extended use.

Strongbow

The ticket purchases for the conference (and raffle for that matter) have not been as expected. This personally surprises me as we are bringing in some of the best of the best in the arms and armor world and putting them front and center for all of America. Perhaps our marketing of this event was l...

Strongbow

I know it'll be expensive... I have lots to spend. I've got a total of a couple thousand going into investing in different pieces for the outfit... The arm's the hardest to come by... And I don't know of anyone that makes armor near me... So... I'll give measurements of my arm and make do with what...

Strongbow

Jehan de Pelham wrote:Just do it.

Jehan de Pelham, esquire and servant of Sir Vitus

Thus did the noted esquire of Pelham have his arms augmented by the much admired "Swoosh stripe" charge!

Strongbow

But whether someone chooses to protect their sternum with a high-medieval breastplate or with nothing but their surcoat they are entitled to certain assumptions: honor, nobility perhaps, and that they can receive a blow in the normal range of what fighters deliver in their kingdom. No one is naked,...

Strongbow

Vebrand wrote: One of the worst I heard was a Knight tell his squire (who was trying to get more period) to wear more hockey gear, like the Knight, so the squire could be more successful, like the Knight, in tourneys.

Vebrand

Ugh. In my perfect SCA, that knight wouldn't BE a knight.

Strongbow

I don't think we can reach any borad conclusions about the armour at Wisby. The author, Bengt Thordeman, coems to the conclusion that most of the Gotlanders would have been unarmoured, or armoured in outmoded equipment. He theorizes about the place of each of the armours found in the develoment of 1...

Strongbow

I don't normally like Japanese armour, but I really admire the attention to detail in that piece! The mempo is particularly eye-catching!

Strongbow

Answer honestly, and with some courtesy. Sometimes it might be in jest (OK, I give some grief to one of my squires who wear all steel, but he knows I'm having fun), sometimes it might actually be someone looking for information. You might even turn someone on to later period armor! The "It isn't to...

Strongbow

I guess I'm bringing this up because a lot of people are using minimal kits nowadays, and in my experience the below has happened more than once (to me). I'm not looking for sympathy or criticism here, I'm looking for general answers from your point of view. How many of you have been putting on you...

Strongbow

Here's a couple:

Strongbow

Eadric of Stonemarche wrote:The shipping weight was 8 pounds,

Man.. I may havta consider that for my SCA kit... I love my HE haubergeon... but 8 lbs!!!!

Strongbow

White Mountain Armoury wrote:Thanks for the props Strongbow, I am working on a wisby cuffed mitten gaunt to replace the Egg gaunts, then ill be pleased with the kit

Are you planning on offering that style for sale (hint... hint...)?

Strongbow

Adam,

That is one of the flat-out coolest kits I've seen!

Strongbow

Design Toscano makes a repop of this chair for cheap. My wife bought me one for father's day. It is tres cool: http://www.designtoscano.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=3897&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=58&iSubCat=59&iProductID=3897 Holy Crapskis! A repro in Mohagony for less than $200? DAMN...

Strongbow

Design Toscano makes a repop of this chair for cheap. My wife bought me one for father's day. It is tres cool:

http://www.designtoscano.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=3897&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=58&iSubCat=59&iProductID=3897

Strongbow

Its been my understanding that in the age of plate the sword was relegated to a symbol of status, and when used it was used more like a can opener, half swording, thrusting for gaps etc etc. Why sacrifice an expensive high end weapon when there was something better suited for the task. That's a pop...

Strongbow

Just an update.... the thread on the hourglass gauntlets from Jiri Klepac are the gauntlets I padded. I took em for a test drive yesterday, allowing my dearly beloved to whack my left hand while wearing the gauntlets (left hand... just in case) and holding a rattan sword. I'm happy to report that th...

Strongbow

The Gaston Phoebus book are almost certainly these:

http://www.historicenterprises.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=227&c=40

Strongbow

I received the gauntlets. Here's a few pics for a teaser. I'll post a full review over at MyArmoury.com soon:

Re: 14th-15th c haubergeon

14th-15th c haubergeon

SCA fighting and finger gauntlets

Re: Too much armour...