And the cuisses to go with them

Gaston · Post by **Gaston** » Sat Apr 14, 2001 3:47 pm

I made these for a late 14thC French harness. They'll need one more strap on the bottom of the "leathers", when I've decide whether to reinforce the gap between the poleyn and greave. Poleyns by Krag, brocade from Hancock fabrics, buckles by Sir Raymond the Quiet, leather from Siegel of California.
The cuisses are based on 8-10oz hardrolled horsebutts, splinted with steel 16ga, and lined with 3oz vegtan. You could use plas...I can't say it...splints, but...why?

[img]http://users.chartertn.net/bhurley412/armour/cuisse1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://users.chartertn.net/bhurley412/armour/cuisse2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://users.chartertn.net/bhurley412/armour/cuisse3.jpg[/img]
[img]http://users.chartertn.net/bhurley412/armour/cuisse4.jpg[/img]

[This message has been edited by Gaston (edited 04-14-2001).]

Otto von Teich · Post by **Otto von Teich** » Sat Apr 14, 2001 7:16 pm

Very Nice Gaston, They look Great! ....Otto

Krag · Post by **Krag** » Sun Apr 15, 2001 1:32 am

I keep telling my wife that dark yellow would look good as armour. In fact, I almost bought some a couple weeks back. I *had* to show her your pics! Good job, they look nice...especially the poleyns

!

How did you attach the fabric? It looks like you have it edged with the leather at the top and just riveted down with everything. Does this hold up well? can it be replaced without having to redo everything?

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Krag von Berghen
KragAxe Armoury

Member's Pics

[This message has been edited by Krag (edited 04-15-2001).]

Gaston · Post by **Gaston** » Sun Apr 15, 2001 6:28 pm

The fabric is turned over the edge, and a lining of light leather rivited at the edge. The liner holds the fabric down, and covers the splints and a thin bit of wool padding to take the "sting" out of a blow.

If the fabric ruins, I'll just have to completely rebuild the cuisses. I'd imagine they'll get fighter practice use instead.

[This message has been edited by Gaston (edited 04-15-2001).]

Samuel Lee Jernigen · Post by **Samuel Lee Jernigen** » Mon Apr 16, 2001 8:24 am

Funny, the legs I just built about 4 months ago look dang close to that:-) must be the great mind theory. I built mine a bit diferent. I used 10-12 oz. waxed leather covered by 6 oz. red leather that is over sized compaired to the cuisse. and riveted the cover leather, polyens and dagging off the bottom of the cop with 1/8th brass rivets. ( ref Osprey #111 M-A-A the armies of Crecy and Poitiers page G 2 Sir thomas Holand) its amazing to me how well this type of armor looks.

is the yellow leather a solid peice under the polyen? if so how do you keep it snug to your knee when its bent? and are the splints really nessessary? ( im fighting in waxed leather 10-12 oz. and have to pay attention to leg shots to count them cleanly or count everything )

I encountered this issue with mine and cut the dag separate from the cuisse leaving the inside of the Polyen open and cheating with spray glue and foam stuck to the inside of the cop.

I just tried scaning the legs;-) not luck on a good image. i'll have to take photos and see if you have any ideas for improvement.

I've fought in these at Estrella, and a few events lately and dont seem to have any issues with function. Im just waiting for rivets to start exploding off :-)

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Sir Samuel De Grac'e
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Gaston · Post by **Gaston** » Mon Apr 16, 2001 10:42 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Samuel Lee Jernigen:
Funny, the legs I just built about 4 months ago look dang close to that:-) must be the great mind theory. I built mine a bit diferent. I used 10-12 oz. waxed leather covered by 6 oz. red leather that is over sized compaired to the cuisse. and riveted the cover leather, polyens and dagging off the bottom of the cop with 1/8th brass rivets. ( ref Osprey #111 M-A-A the armies of Crecy and Poitiers page G 2 Sir thomas Holand) its amazing to me how well this type of armor looks.

is the yellow leather a solid peice under the polyen? if so how do you keep it snug to your knee when its bent? and are the splints really nessessary? ( im fighting in waxed leather 10-12 oz. and have to pay attention to leg shots to count them cleanly or count everything) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The yellow leather is one solid piece of very soft "elktan" cowhide. There's a light "snugging strap" of the same soft leather in the center of the poleyn to keep it near the knee.
The splints aren't there because they're necessary, but because they're a period style. I'm sure I'll have to pay closer attention to leg blows for a while.
 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>

I encountered this issue with mine and cut the dag separate from the cuisse leaving the inside of the Polyen open and cheating with spray glue and foam stuck to the inside of the cop.

I just tried scaning the legs;-) not luck on a good image. i'll have to take photos and see if you have any ideas for improvement.

I've fought in these at Estrella, and a few events lately and dont seem to have any issues with function. Im just waiting for rivets to start exploding off :-)

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

These are brand new, I'll know more about how they work next weekend.

Wynne · Post by **Wynne** » Tue Apr 17, 2001 10:47 pm

A friend of mine is trying to get a good color yellow on some leather, and doesn't like the results he's getting. What did you do?, or is that color due to the tanning?
Thanks
Wynne

Gaston · Post by **Gaston** » Wed Apr 18, 2001 11:39 am

Wynne,

That is Siegel's "elk tan" cowhide. www.siegelofca.com
It's about an 8-10 oz, very glovey and a little waxy. It's incredibly strong (a plus I hadn't expected), to the point that I've used the extra for strapping. I like the softer hand much better, and it works with medieval style buckles better than our stiffer vegtan.