constructive criticism please?

woodwose · Post by **woodwose** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 3:55 am

I just finished a 16th century gorget. its my first one. I couldn't figure out quite what to do on the hinged/pivoting side.
The pics are on my site...
http://mailmaker.tripod.com/armor/gorgeta.html

please let me know what you think... I'm rather pleased with it but all I had to go by was pictures.

oh, also, I'm trying to find some good info on making early 16th century munitions plate. anyone know of any good sites with information on the subject? I've looked around and haven't found anything yet. I heard that a couple years ago there was an issue of TI that had an article on munitions plate but I have no idea what one it was or how I'd get a copy.

thanks,
Dweezle
aka Matthew

Steve S. · Post by **Steve S.** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 8:11 am

I think it looks very good, though I'm no expert on this type of armour. In the lighting, the metal even looks "old".

The only problem I noticed (though it could be lighting) is that the crease down the front looks like it may be a bit distorted.

Steve

Dragon Slayer · Post by **Dragon Slayer** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 9:53 am

Took a look at your site, damn nice work. I expecially like your "gounlet of Doom". How long did it take you to make it?

Gundo · Post by **Gundo** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 11:00 am

Very spiffy gorget, indeed.
If you want to use hinges on the neck lames, how about keyholes on both sides of the yoke?
I don't know if it's the correct method, but it resolves the problem.

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Meridian · Post by **Meridian** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 1:45 pm

Very nice! You would'nt happen to have made a pattern while designing it that you would'nt mind sharing would you? I'm thinking of making an articulated gorget like that to replace my leather dog collar one I use now.
What tools did you use to roll the top edges? I've not tried to roll a curved edge yet, and am collecting hints before I try.

woodwose · Post by **woodwose** » Sun Mar 25, 2001 5:13 am

thanks everyone..
yep, the crease down the front is a little distorted. I think the lighting makes it look a little worse than it is.

I like the keyhole on each side idea, I think I'll try that next time I make one of these.

I think the gauntlet took about a month and a half to make so I could use it. I only had time to work on it a couple nights a week, about 5 or 7 hours a night. then another couple months of using it and working out some minor problems. I've been working on the left handed one off and on (more off than on) for a couple years. I don't have much left to do on it.

I've always had mixed luck with edge rolling... mostly because I don't get much practice at it and between the times when I do roll an edge or two, I forget what I learned the last time. I'm really pleased with the rolls on this gorget and I think I've figured out a way that I can remember.
The tools I use are a very dull wood splitting maul (I think thats what it is, like a cross between a sledge hammer and an axe) stuck in a leg vice, an anvil, and a ball pien hammer. not sure how to describe what I do, but I don't think it would be much different than how other people do rolls. I've found that I can get it consistant by placing the metal on the blade of the splitting maul and hammering from the other side, using the edge of the maul to indent a line where I want the roll to start. then I let the indent stay on the blade of the maul (this seems to help keep it from skipping around) and keep hammering away at the edge of the metal until it starts to turn down... I keep going from there, sometimes going to the anvil or puting the curled part of the roll on the blade of the maul and hammering. lots of light tapping, and then I beat on it until I'm happy with how it looks. I think I should mention that this splitting maul thing isn't just really dull, but ground down and rounded so what might once have been a sort of sharp blade, now has an edge with about a 3/16" diameter

white mountain armoury · Sun Mar 25, 2001 7:59 am

its looks good Dweezle, i imagine ill see it at an event? Didnt see you at birka this year.
anyway the work looks good, id like to see it in person.

Dwarlock · Post by **Dwarlock** » Sun Mar 25, 2001 11:28 pm

looks good