So I have spent a bunch of time today staring at pictures of hourglass gauntlets from every angle I can find trying to figure out exactly what shape they are, and what's wrong with mine.
I think I understand their shape a little better now, but there's one thing I'm somewhat unclear on. Why is the metacarpal set at such an angle so as to place the knuckles so high above the wrist? The only guess I can make is that it is to accommodate extra material that would fit between the gauntlet's and the hand's knuckles (i.e. knuckle rider, finger plates, leather strip, gloves).
Take a look at your hand with fingers extended, in the same position take a look at your hand with a closed fist or grip on something. When your hand closes the knuckles "protrude" more, they tend to rise as the fist is closed.
Hold you're hand level with your forearm open, then do the same with a fist and notice the angle of the back of your hand and the position of your knuckles.
don't expect armours on "display" to be mounted like they would sit on a body. especially when the piece doesn't have decent straps or anything else that would have secured it to the body.
Another reason for this is simply range of motion.
Mounting and dismounting a horse,as well as handling one requires a certain range of motion in the wrist. These were fixed with no articulations.
It's also the reason that so much authentic armor does not work for playing "bash a knight." They were intended more to defend against lances,arrows from archers...etc. Not for someone standing toe to toe and hitting with clubs.
A friend recently sent me this link to Master Valerius's raised gauntlet page. It provides some good info. One of the first things that I noticed was that the gauntlets are more oval than circular, which only makes sense since your wrist is an oval.
Bender wrote: It's also the reason that so much authentic armor does not work for playing "bash a knight." They were intended more to defend against lances,arrows from archers...etc. Not for someone standing toe to toe and hitting with clubs.
If you use the correct weapons in the right way, then armour is not cumbersome, but I agree with you, if you pretend to fight in armour like you do without, then you will be disappointed.
