The Armour Archive

Cap'n Atli

Or you can take five oars, one sail and about 100 feet of line and make an oar tent. (That's one of our former Longship Company vice presidents, Mary Fitzgerald, in front of it; a very talented harper and harpist.)

Cap'n Atli

I think I can picture what your thinking. I just use a 10 gallon drum full of diesel lubricating oil (surplussed from my father's-in-law cutter) with a lid. Here is the trick: The less oil you have, the more likely it is to ignite; so you really need a lid to snuff that puppy if it flares-up. With 1...

Cap'n Atli

Doesn't look right, doesn't "smell" right. (Most loosely identified stuff on e-bay doesn't smell right. ) However I'd want to do some more research; being unfamiliar with Byzantine tableware. A lot of stuff is in the archeological record that never makes it to books and catalogs, and sits on back mu...

Cap'n Atli

The ones for boatbuilding use the same principle but with (of course) different proportions. Given that you might be utilizing the curve of a tree branch, I would expect a lot of variation.

Cap'n Atli

Further Thoughts on Upper Tier Stakeholders You will want the core area a little crowded and cluttered if itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s to be a town (you have townhouses) and not a village. This will also help to keep most of the 10 acres free for other uses and projects. (ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s amazing how much squalor you ca...

Cap'n Atli

Of Organizations and Major Projects

Original (1978) Organization of the post SÃƒÂ¦ Earn (1972) Longship Company

Originally, the 1978 Longship Company had a three tiered organization, based on the need to acquire capital quickly:

Class Ã¢â‚¬Å“AÃ¢â‚¬Â

Cap'n Atli

Here's one, a little different than other's I've seen, but it works:

www.fjellborg.org/AxesSawClamp.htm

Cap'n Atli

I'm a little short on time of late, but these are used for boatbuilding and lapstrake construction. I have some photographs, but I can't lay my hands on them right now. A google image search didn't turn them up, so when I get a chance, I'll check my library. If anyone else can beat me to it, that's ...

Cap'n Atli

Forgive me, I've been tied up a bit, but thinking on my response. Some relevant information is in my posting on Page 3 of the thread at: m And some structural infomation on our organization is in Chapter 2 of the LSCo Manual, linked from the page at: m I'll try to provide further organizational info...

Cap'n Atli

It doesn't take much iron on the shield to make something "iron shielded" in a poetic sense. (In a similar sense, and from actual observation, it doesn't take that many arrows to "darken the skies," especially if you're on the receiving end.) In addition to the boss, some early medieval sheilds had ...

Cap'n Atli

One of our Captains, Ceecy Nucker, has a stainless steel anklet, about three inches wide (~1/8" links) around her ankle; for about the last 10 or 15 years! (No clasp.) I think she gets wanded at the airport, although sometimes she flies her 1930s tail dragger. It's fun to have interesting friends!

Cap'n Atli

I plan to visit my friend, Drey, in Pennsylvania, driving up Friday the 30th; so I just might cut through Baltimore and take it in on my way up. Drey will forgive me, being 1st generation from Ukrainian.

Cap'n Atli

Several of my books mention the use of horn for handles, partly due to the fact that horn does not preserve very well in grave sites, as opposed to, say, bone or ivory, and the lack of handle material may indicate something that's somewhat less likely to be preserved. I imagine that antler's preserv...

Cap'n Atli

You might want to run this by Jock over at AnvilFire's Guru's Den (link below). Be prepared for a cold dash of skepticism, but some good information. From some previous posts on similar proposals I have the impressions that one-offs and small lots are very, very expensive.

Good luck.

Cap'n Atli

Two examples of carrying hardware for Bedlam's travel/camping chest, both from Medieval Decorative Ironwork in England by Jane Geddes (review- http://www.anvilfire.com/bookrev/atli/M ... geddes.htm )

Cap'n Atli

I may be able to post some pictures from home tonight. There's some nice medieval ironwork designed just for running pole handles through for transport. That's flippin' HUGE! My daughters Great ironbound Chest is 2' X 2' X 3' and is bigger than a cedar chest! Measure it out and see just how big you ...

Cap'n Atli

Under the twin dictums of "No ship, no Viking." (mentioned in my previous post, above) and "Why try to reinvent the wheel?" I am taking the liberty of posting the link to the Longship Company's bibliography: m Unless you've tried rowing while wearing/sitting-on a long horseman's byrnie, you just can...

Cap'n Atli

You do know that envy is one of the seven deadly sins?

Now look what you've done to me! D@mned for sure!

"Talent is so irritating; in others."
(Uncle Atli's Very Thin Book of Wisdom)

Cap'n Atli

Now, if we can just get you down for a visit; and out on the ship for a bit...

Cap'n Atli

I see you're bringing the lass up right. A magnificent job and a very pretty daughter.

"Give your children sharp things to play with, and they'll grow up careful; or maimed; or both."

(Uncle Atli's Very Thin Book of Wisdom)

Cap'n Atli

Variation gone badly wrong: MRL's "Embossed Viking Helmet" at: http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/showproduct.asp, Item # 300386.

(Lifted from my friend Hugh's thread over at Sword Forum.)

Much-too-much "artistic liscense."

Cap'n Atli

Urk! Closet poles! Forebear, sirrah!

Get thee a sledge hammer haft and carve it down to fit.

You just know someone is going to whack a tree limb with that puppy sooner or later!

(Cap'n Atli can testify to "splinterous" results from various closet poles over the years.

)

Cap'n Atli

It has been noted over on AnvilFire that where leg vises are designed for hammering, they are not designed for abuse. It would be unwise, for example, to start swinging a 12# sledge on stock on any normal size leg vise. They're tough, but some folks think they're invulnerable, and then have to go ab...

Cap'n Atli

Unless someone starts out to make a replica of an exact helm or other artifact, I actually prefer to have our gear "based on" or "in the style of" than to have a dozen exact authenticlones of the helm. In a handcraft society, exact duplication is difficult and customization to the needs, desires and...

Cap'n Atli

Wow... I mean wow... twenty-some posts and nobody brought up the bloody obvious reasons? How about how no museum in the world contains authentic armor made of stainless steel? How about how you can't put a high polish on stainless without making the wearer look like a giant restaurant utensil? Not ...

Cap'n Atli

Atli, that's just silly! Well, I should hope so! Just my little contribution towards the art of armor. What's really scary is that it used to be labled "Armor Terminology" The "Comical" was apparently added after some newbies and students took it at face value! Lord knows how many quickie term pape...

Cap'n Atli

Or, for the secret names, try: http://www.markland.org/armourterms.php

Cap'n Atli

If you're doing hot work, any tongs can be pressed into service or modified to the job. I'll see your vises (a leg vise is best, but mechanics vises are most useful if you're not pounding the everlovin' aspirations out of them), and raise you a grinder. All sorts of hammers are useful, and, like the...

Cap'n Atli

My best guess? Fashion! Of course a weapons system my be superceded by a more effective weapon, or made less effective by some subsequent advance in armor or tactics; but all things being equal, they can also lose popularity due to Ã¢â‚¬Å“unfashionableÃ¢â‚¬Â

Cap'n Atli

Cap'n Atli's Stump Dishing Technique Ding large hardwood stump in various places with big ball-pein hammer. Heat solid shot of various sizes on the forge to a nice, friendly dull red. Place shots on dings and let burn cavities to suit. (Best if done outside! ) You can ovedo this, but since I do a l...

Cap'n Atli

NEVER come between the dreams of the wedding party and reality! Even priests, rabbis and Archbishops of Canturbury have learned this lesson. I think Ted did a really nice job on the harness, and if the client was pleased, then Ted should be very pleased with his work. Almost all wedding clothing is...

Cap'n Atli

Just had to get off a shot for the flag, since MRL has been the equivalent of nails on the blackboard to me for many years. I think most of the people here have nailed their few virtues and many vices; but it's just their overall attitude of "expertise" while doling out convenient misinformation (co...

Cap'n Atli

My primary problem with the Hrisoulis books is his lack of draftsmanship. Several of his drawings are missing lines, and his perspective and proportions leave something to be desired. His book and tapes are useful, but need to be used in company with further study and experience. For some historical...

Cap'n Atli

Willing Pell wrote:Now that event looked like a lot of fun.

Once the rains stopped, it was; but 7" or so can sure put a damper on things! (Insert groan here

)

Cap'n Atli

Atli is demonstrating the prissy thrusting style of later generations who couldn't cleave together, much less a helm.

Or maybe there was a sand-flea under my mail on the shoulder at an inopoortune time.