Lacquer for japanese armor

Mahiro Shukosa · Post by **Mahiro Shukosa** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 2:13 am

I was wondering where and for how much I can purchase lacquer for traditional japanese do-maru, as well as recommendations for use, storage and handling. Thank you.

M.S.

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 8:24 pm

firstly, i dont know where you can get it from, or how to store it, i do know it comes from a plant though if that helps.

i also know the stuff is rather potent in a toxic sorta way. any skin contact causes some nasty ass rashes and the like, and i think it;s a bit fumey as well.

for my armour(munitions go mai do) i just used a whole hell of a lot of gloss finish sprayapint

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

The Lost Scott · Post by **The Lost Scott** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 8:43 pm

For SCA puposes I'd suggest for metal powder coating and for leather an epoxy resien talk to the supplier and find out wich type to use. As far as the lacquer goes visit Effinghams site.

LS

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Fri Oct 26, 2001 12:36 am

I think I researched this subject a few years ago and learned something.

You can't afford it. It is prohibitively expensive, especially for a fighting rig. I don't really remember how much it was.

Willing Pell · Post by **Willing Pell** » Fri Oct 26, 2001 5:29 am

What about a modern substitute such as epoxy paint? Hard, chip resistant, many different colors.

firebow · Post by **firebow** » Fri Oct 26, 2001 12:46 pm

Mahiro-san,

If memory serves, the lacquer (if you are referring to the same material used to lacquer the saya on a katana, etc.) is made from a plant in the poison ivy family, is fairly noxious, and you probably want to avoid using it (if you are dead-set on it, I can dig up some info on it), and is fairly difficult to use. You might want to try sites on saya lacquering (email me if you really want to know)

Otherwise I would say to use the suggestions offered here... if it's steel, powdercoating seems to work from what I've read of some of the kabuto's done with it. You also may want to see what Klang or Darkheart Armoury uses...I think DH has a few pieces that look lacquered. Not certain on the leather... I'd have to look into it (personally I use the leather dye, hi gloss sheen and good ol' kiwi shoe polish like my Sgt taught me :-)

<L>...or patent leather, it seems to handle abuse well)

Hope it helps :-)

Brendan Firebow

------------------
I will make my war or my peace with him at the time of my choosing

[This message has been edited by Firebow (edited 10-26-2001).]

D.A. Guertin · Post by **D.A. Guertin** » Fri Oct 26, 2001 7:37 pm

The closest you're going to be able to get to traditional Japanese lacquer Stateside is called Kashu. I get mine from Fred Lohman Company, and I don't know that there is anywhere else that you can get it. I hope this helps.

------------------
D.

We, who are not as others, are Beholden to what we are.