The Armour Archive

Otto von Teich

Thanks for that info Gwen, I, like Egfroth, always had a feeling that the old hand stitched items would have been comparable to machine stitches.Quality was quality,even back then LOL. It makes sense that a person who did that work day in and day out,would become very good and exacting in detail. Th...

Otto von Teich

GREAT WORK! I thought the breastplate looked a little tall at first,but after seeing you wearing it I realize it was made for a skinny guy. If made for a fater guy like me, the proportions would be perfect ! LOL...Otto

Otto von Teich

I think your going about it the right way! In the end, you'll have what you want and wont have to constantly upgrade.Upgrading gets very expensive,as you seldom recoup much in the way of original expense from what you sell.And your always kinda cranky because you dont like,or cant use what you've go...

Otto von Teich

Really, thats Robert Valentine's copy of the Dean harness in the Met....Otto

Otto von Teich

Hmmm, glad I kept my $1000 now LOL...It does look old as heck,but one thing I did think was odd....You cant see the patch plates from the interior.I guess if you can age the patches that well, the rest could be a little more recent than one would hope for.Just seems so odd.Maybe they used old bits t...

Otto von Teich

Dang, that went cheap. Not the prettiest helm in the world, and heavily restored (about 2/3 helmet, 1/3rd restoration). But still a nice early rare piece. I would have thought 1500-2000 would have been a good price. I'd have given 1000 easy.Should have gotten into a bidding war I guess ....ahhh well...

Otto von Teich

Dang, that went cheap. Not the prettiest helm in the world, and heavily restored (about 2/3 helmet, 1/3rd restoration). But still a nice early rare piece. I would have thought 1500-2000 would have been a good price. I'd have given 1000 easy.Should have gotten into a bidding war I guess ....ahhh well...

Otto von Teich

VERY nice work Carmel, Looking very good. I know greaves are very difficult to make..Otto

Otto von Teich

Excellent work! lines and proportions look good to me.Thats a great style of helmet, simple yet elegant. I've seen many copies, but that looks better than most. Its a simple helm, but not as easy to get right as some might think. Good job Aaron, keep up the good work.....Otto

Otto von Teich

I made armour for a cat once, consisting of a back plate,mail crinet,and plate chanfron. It took 20 minutes to get it on him, he got it off in lest than 10 seconds. Moral to the story is....dont make cat armour...Otto

Otto von Teich

I like linen hosen.Very cool in the heat.....Otto

Otto von Teich

Bob wrote". Also specified were decorative iron grommets ( most floating couters had these so as not to fray the arming points holding them to the elbow or the vambraces - on many extant examples they are missing, but they are equally plentiful an well maintained originals). Bob, I think I've seen t...

Otto von Teich

Thats sweet! I've always liked the bellows visor, Looks like he did a great job with it. The blueing adds a nice touch. Could you post a pic from the side with the visor down?...Otto

Otto von Teich

I should have said Mac IS the best in the country.Perhaps the best in the world! But if your in a hurry,and have limited funds,Jeff gives the best bang for the buck.James Gillespie,Chuck Davis,and Tom Justice also do excellent work....Otto

Otto von Teich

Sure... I can talk to him anytime I want... I know several ways to contact him. I'm his buddy. ------------------ Broadway +/- jibber jabber. Perhaps,you should let his disgruntled customers know how to get in touch with him. You would be doing them, AND Galon a favor.If your not willing to do that,...

Otto von Teich

Other than that strap your armour tight. Not so tight that it binds or cuts off your circulation. But tight enough that the armour moves as PART of you. Too often I see ill-fitting armour in the field. It's a bad idea. Armour is supposed to be a second skin of sorts. If you have gaps between your le...

Otto von Teich

MacPhearson is probably the best in the country,but hes very expensive,and he's back loged out the wazoo. I've been trying to get him to make me a pair of hourglass gantlets for two years now. Thats TWO years to get on the waiting list! But he's a great guy, answers emails, dependable,reliable, trus...

Otto von Teich

I own one of Jefferys Bascinets, and the workmanship is just outstanding. A true work of art, the lines on the visor just blow me away.The guys an artist, not just an artist but a great artist. Hes working on some spring steel arm and leg harness for me now. Hes reliable,dependable,answers emails, d...

Otto von Teich

Ahhhh....The joys of having a nice hat! I want to see some pics too! There is something really awe inspiring when you finally aquire a really fine piece of armour. You have a few helms over the years, and they are ok, they work,look fine....Then you meet "the" helm.you fall in LOVE !!!!! You want to...

Otto von Teich

Hmmm , I wonder how my new legyms are comming along......

Otto von Teich

...Well, the A 21 harness in the Wallace did have a latten border added to the sallet edge in the 19th century, to 'gild the lily' so to speak. Perhaps that is adding to Mr. Cross' confusion.... ------------------ Bob R. LOL .Oh NO! Bob's backing me up on my madness(almost, in a round about way).ahh...

Otto von Teich

Actually, I'd like to clear up a common misconception, no armour EVER had rolled edges OR bronze borders. Any armour you see that does was added by unscrupulous curators in the early 19th century, because for some unknown reason,they thought it looked better that way.Perhaps they just wanted to try ...

Otto von Teich

My Last possible thought is that he could be oiling it with a slightly used swedish device.....Otto The Naughty

Otto von Teich

then again, he could be beating the smooth cold rolled plate with a giant chopstick, to make it "rough from the hammer"...EVIL OTTO

Otto von Teich

Bascot, I believe you may have misinterpreted the woodcut. I believe he's just rubbing a piece of finished armour with the severed tail of a magic cats ass.A well known medieval practise,which tempered the armour,while oiling the plate and adding a certain amout of luck to the wearer...EVIL OTTO

Otto von Teich

Though I have been accused of looking like an elf (mainly by my wife and kids)in my 14th century garb from HE. It is rather elfish looking I suppose. I think a real elf would rather wear normal 14th century garb than anything from LOTR. I know I would...if I was an elf.....I'm not admitting to being...

Otto von Teich

Heres another source for linen tow, Van Dykes 1-800-787-3355 their price was 4.99 a lb a year ago....slightly evil Otto

Otto von Teich

And a word of advise, never buy anything off ebay that you can fish out of a porta-can for free....EVIL OTTO

Otto von Teich

Coat the inside with vasaline and beat it on with a hammer! It WILL fit, but...you have to let it know who's boss...EVIL OTTO

Otto von Teich

Ahhhhhhh , I feel better already...rather..healthy...and refreshed...and ....EVIL >>BWAAAAHAAAHAA

Otto von Teich

Can I be evil for awhile too?.I'm sick and tired of being nice all da time,and sick and tired of being sick and tired and and sick and tired of it!..Otto

Otto von Teich

Jeff J, Who made your harness? Hedgecock?Looks fantastic!....Otto

Otto von Teich

Great work, as usual!I really like the shape ....Otto

Otto von Teich

I think they go hand in hand, if its accurate,it looks good,...Otto

Otto von Teich

You might have a high carbon steel, spring steel. Try heating it, cooling slowly, then try to work it...Otto