The Armour Archive

How much actual armoring is involved in these? just rivet banging, or actual dishing/shaping?

Did you read the description?

It is shaping. I don't remember him offering it pre-shaped. But you will learn good stuff.

His site has a pdf of the steps to make the gauntlet.
If i remember correctly, I used some a ball pean hammer railroad spikes and steel tubing ro assemble mine. Those were the suggested tools.

Thier not hard to build, really. Some common sense and respect for the pieces, instructions, your tools and fingers, and you can get them done in a day or two.

Thanks, the product description wasn't overly clear. May give this a try just need to find somewhere to do the metal beating at (i live in an apartment)

Just be sure to print the instructions. the pictures are invaluable during construction.

I've been curious about these. It looks like they have a lot more articulation than is necessary, which seems like it would add extra weight. People who use these: what do you think of them? Do you find that they get more banged up than gauntlets with a bit less articulation in the metacarpal area?

I've been curious about these. It looks like they have a lot more articulation than is necessary, which seems like it would add extra weight. People who use these: what do you think of them? Do you find that they get more banged up than gauntlets with a bit less articulation in the metacarpal area?

Articulation is good, they run a little large and are really heavy but they do hold up well to SCA combat. Like most of Master Eric's stuff they are built like a brick sh#*t house. YMMV

I have the stainless steel version. They are light, and pretty bombproof if made correctly. I made a couple of errorsa in forming, so I have to tweak the articulation on occasion, but otherwise they are awesome. Much lighter than the 16 ga mild steel clamshell gauntllets they replaced.

I used a pair of the stainless ones that I made for about 6 years, with no problems or injuries. I recommend them to anyone looking to get some high quality gauntlets at a VERY reasonable price.

As for the construction it is not that hard, if you know how to peen a rivet you can make these gauntlets (OK slight over statement). They are quite easy to make and I have made about a half dozen or so over the years. If you are very new at armoring you may want to see about the mild steel version as it is a little easier to work than the stainless.