The Armour Archive

Amanda M

I just moved into my mom's place and I'm in to my ex for 1600 bucks because he helped me pay for my last semester of college due to a complete financial aid !#@$-up, so I could definitely use the business. I'm really shy on orders at the moment so now is a good time to order. I've only got one paid ...

Amanda M

My poleaxe is cored with EVA foam and sandwiched between thick leather. Hits plenty hard enough. I have had more than one person tell me they really don't want to get hit by it and I've never had anyone shrug a solid shot. I even put a layer of camp foam on the striking edge because early experiment...

Amanda M

Thanks for the good reviews guys.

I don't always hear back from my customers so it's nice to know that you were happy with what you purchased.

Amanda M

MJBlazek wrote:A nice jupon hides a mutlitude of sins.

This! But also, making splinted arm and leg defences is pretty simple and you can do it fairly low budget, particularly because you're kitting out several people. What's your budget like?

Amanda M

Yes. If you look through the gallery below you can see all kinds of different sizes and styles, from simple to really complex.

http://s538.photobucket.com/albums/ff34 ... 20Banners/

Amanda M

I should add a question about it to the Sword Maiden survey.

Amanda M

how long does it take you to make each one and how difficult is it to make them? they're very interesting, wish i could afford one. It takes anywhere from 6 to 12 hours on average, depending on size and design. That's including the time it takes to draw the design on the fabric, heat treating and s...

Amanda M

At least she got the ear protection right!

Amanda M

I've seen some people doing screen printing like that. It's cool but not something I'm personally interested in because I have the painting chops to do it myself and I get immense satisfaction out of the act of the painting itself. But I would not fault anyone that wanted to do a more modern approac...

Amanda M

Bump. Pics of recently finished commissions: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff347/isabellaevangelista/Silk%20Banners/th_AF91D6CE-6572-4B3E-86C5-C379E0567320-322-0000003D169B9E0D.jpg http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff347/isabellaevangelista/Silk%20Banners/th_F149BC9F-0DF7-4048-9BB3-2C358B6433B...

Amanda M

Eventually I'd like to construct a shield using historical methods and paint it the same way.

Amanda M

Some people are not even willing or able to pay what I charge for custom banners, which are dirt cheap! I have had plenty of people never contact me after inquiring about pricing, or back out AFTER I've done all the design work. And there have been a few banner makers who make theirs for even cheape...

Amanda M

I've never had anybody ask me to paint a shield like the ones I've posted and not be willing to pay an appropriate price. I have only had a couple of them though and the number of people who have asked me about it I can count on one hand. My prices are incredibly reasonable considering though. I jus...

Amanda M

I probably under charge but my rate is $10/hour, which is the same rate I charge for banners and casting, with maybe a material charge as well. I would not try and support myself doing it, but I still get an occasional commission. People know when they pay me to paint something for them they will ge...

Amanda M

Yes! Cool stuff must be used!

Amanda M

I think in a way you need to philosophically just see the shield as something that is an impermanent piece of art, like a really cool cake someone is going to come along and eat. The point of putting all the effort into something that is going to be destroyed is that it enriches it's environment whi...

Amanda M

I found a bunch and put them up on Sword Maiden. http://www.yeoldegaffers.com/project_shieldpress.asp http://www.mercwars.com/shieldmaking.shtml http://hightowercrossbows.com/shieldhowto.htm http://mattyreegs.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/making-stuff-hardcore-part-2/ http://www.angelfire.com/mi4/olafvan...

Amanda M

You guys crack me up.

Amanda M

I took a couple lengths of 2' PVC and filled them with iron fillings, then capped them. They are both a little bit heavier than my sword and shorter. One is 1" diameter and the other is 3/4".

Amanda M

Cuz I wanna be like this:

When really I am probably more like this:

Amanda M

Yaaaay. I am ok with that compromise. When it starts getting dusty that means it needs to go out and play. By the way I kind of get it now. The shield I'm working on for myself I love so much, so far, that I am going to make a second shield the same size and construction with just my arms and motto ...

Amanda M

I think there may be an element of artistic license from the people who made the effigies as well. All the manuscripts of that time show an idealized, slim figure in men and women. I don't think that people were ALL shaped that way, but much like the statues the greeks and romans made they had an id...

Amanda M

A bunch of the shields on Karen Larsdatter's page have diapering or similar embellishments on them.

Amanda M

I don't know anything about working metal. But you can make a reasonable kit for almost any time period look good and be cheap if you're willing to hide modern stuff and put in time and energy. My kit is still half plastic. I am working on trading for metal parts to replace the plastic but you can't...

Amanda M

I basically did that when I built my second kit from scratch. I budgeted almost all I had to buying an awesome helmet and it took me six months to save up for it. I was supporting a family of 4 making $8/hour working 72 hours a week, and supplementing my income a little making banners. I made this k...

Amanda M

So, you're saying this is a bad idea?

Amanda M

I'm pretty much getting my ass handed to me financially right now so I don't know if I'll be able to do it at all this time.

Amanda M

Frank is awesome.

Amanda M

That's pretty much what I did to test out my finger gauntlets before I used them for real.

Amanda M

I've tossed around the idea a lot myself but the biggest thing keeping me from really working on plans is that I would hate to not be able to use it in camp and only in an RV area because of site rules. I don't know if the little house would be allowed everywhere we do events. :/

Amanda M

Greaves also need to be strapped properly if it's of the shovel greave variety. The first pair I made I strapped all wrong. The top strap needs to be above the widest part of your calf muscle or they won't stay put. I had a pair made for me and the straps are finally right. I worse them today and di...

Amanda M

Might be worth talking to whatever waste management company is in the area and asking if they see anything to contact the owner. :/

Amanda M

Thanks for the ideas guys. Should I take a picture of everything that's going to be in the bag and make an inventory of it?

Amanda M

I'm a firefighter so my whole kit including sword fits into the spare turnout gear bag I have, and most of my kit is plastic at the moment. I would guess it weights less than 50 lb. I'll weigh it to be sure. I'm definitely going to insure it, but I don't want to deal with any of it as carry on if I ...

Amanda M

I'm gonna pay for the extra bag if I need to because the fed is paying for the trip.

Re: Openings in silk banner queue for the holidays.

Re: My first Pretty weapon.

Re: Openings in silk banner queue for the holidays.

Re: Building the 14th century on a budget

Re: Openings in silk banner queue for the holidays.

Re: What strength training for female students? (SCA)

Re: Openings in silk banner queue for the holidays.

Re: Small Bench Grinder Auction

Re: serious shield painters of the SCA, a question, pease.

Re: Openings in silk banner queue for the holidays.

Re: serious shield painters of the SCA, a question, pease.

Re: serious shield painters of the SCA, a question, pease.

Re: serious shield painters of the SCA, a question, pease.

Re: serious shield painters of the SCA, a question, pease.

Re: For the record... the CotT shield is now "combat" art...

Re: serious shield painters of the SCA, a question, pease.

Re: shield press plans????

Re: Why do you fight?

Re: What strength training for female students? (SCA)

Re: Why do you fight?

Re: For the record... the CotT shield is now "combat" art...

Re: On SCA silhouettes

Re: Heraldic Diapering

Re: Money: What is reasonable?

Re: Money: What is reasonable?

Re: Small Bench Grinder Auction

Re: Flying with your gear? Looking for advice.

Re: Issues with Order from Westland

Re: a question on sca legality (finger gauntlets)

Re: Tinyhouse for camping events?

Re: Need help matching some armor to a helmet I am buying

Re: Stolen SCA Equipment - Oklahoma Area

Re: Flying with your gear? Looking for advice.

Re: Flying with your gear? Looking for advice.

Re: Flying with your gear? Looking for advice.