articulated knees & elbows

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Sun Sep 09, 2001 12:03 am

while reading the head and shoulders knees and toes topic i had a thought, has anyone ever made, or heard of leather articulated knees? i think it would work, i know it would be easier to do than regular articulation, but i dont wana mess up my only pair of knees atempting it.

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What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:

Langdon · Post by **Langdon** » Sun Sep 09, 2001 2:15 am

It can be done, I have seen it. I would not do it though. The problem with trying to articulate leather is that leather is much thicker than steel. Where the articulation assembly of a steel knee may be up to 1/4" (looking at the edge from the inside if the inner lame to the outside of the cop). The leather would be 4-5 times thicker for the same assembly. The bulkyness of the articulation hinders the movement. It just does not move properly and you are fighting against the knees every time you move.

Lubeck · Post by **Lubeck** » Sun Sep 09, 2001 2:49 am

I have had some success with laces at the articulation points instead of rivits or screws. My suggestion is talk to your local leatherworking laurel and they'll likely talk your ear off about the way they like to do it best. I do alot of plastic armor covered in suede. It looks good weighs little and protects great. If I can't find a metal part for a hinge point I will use a tight leather lace and it keeps up for about 6 months of fighting 3 times a week.

Talbit Hasslethorn · Post by **Talbit Hasslethorn** » Sun Sep 09, 2001 3:16 am

Tybolt i've made some articulated knees and elbows out waxed 8 ounce leather for light fighting. The articulation has a flaw when you bend your arm to far the leather will bend and a plate pops out. they were fixed by adding a thick leather tab a the top of each plate. The lacing idea is good but i find the laces loosen up over time and you get a plates slipping out of line. But it can be done i have the proof. So good luck to you.(i'll see if i can't find a scanner a post a pic of them)

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Sun Sep 09, 2001 7:51 pm

ok, yea i guess i didnt word that quite right, what i meant was articulating knees or elbows with leather, kinda like what you do with a pauldron or spaulder. so having the lames rivited to leather strapping.

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What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Mon Sep 10, 2001 9:37 am

I actually made one of each on the weekend (one arm and one leg still have some strapping to do though). I'm planning to try and remember to snatch a digicam from work today and take it home to take some pics. Guess I'd better take some of the inside for ya.

They work really well. And are fairly easy to assemble.

Also according to Brian price the rivit holes seen in 14th c examples of arms and legs suggest that the method I used was used historically.

Oh they look real nifty too.

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

[This message has been edited by Mad Matt (edited 09-10-2001).]

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Tue Sep 11, 2001 8:08 am

Well there's good and bad news. The bad news is there were no batteries for the camera. The good news is that I brought the arm and leg in to work with me today. You'll have to wail till after lunch but there'll be pics today. Look for a post from me about new stuff this afternoon.

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

Lubeck · Post by **Lubeck** » Wed Sep 12, 2001 4:35 am

I did do a set of pauldrons that was a copy of a set of aluminum ones I found at Gulf Wars. If you attach the lace to a button or something it doesn't loosen up and it holds without the regular hassles associated with leather laces. I found some realy cool Celtic Chicago Screws at my local leather store that did the job just great. It made everything look realy professional. I only used the laces for the few points that I realy needed to move properly. Everything else I wanted semi rigid so I had normal rivits there.