The Armour Archive

Ive done leather armour work and would like to deal steel work. What do i need to get started (work place, tools, materials) Im suprised i havent seen this question on here (or maybe im just that much of a newb).

Why don't you contact me and arrange to spend a weekend at my shop? I'm less then 2 hours from you and I have a fully euipped facility. I can get a cabin at Lake Henshaw. Plus I'm attempting to put a hammer-in together anyway, but there has been little interest thus far. Or, is your avaliable we can set up something for the day after Freindship tourney. Either way call me.

Eric Joseph
James River Armoury
San Diego
www.jamesriverarmoury.com

Thanks for the reply, that sounds cool, maybe we can arrange for myself and a few fellow starting armorers to meet at the shop. I know of two here in the area who are already making plate armor and im sure we would love to learn a little from yourself. In short ive got a bunch of projects that i'd like to work on and in addition i would like learn how to start armoring. I'll give ya a call monday. Thanks

Godfrey

I say, first you need to buy Techniques of Modern Armour Reproduction (known around here usually as ToMAR). That'll give you the taste to see how armour comes from being a hunk of metal to something with a kind of life. If you aren't too afraid after reading the book (no not necessarily cover to cover) then I say "Onto the Shop!" And start looking into tools, in particular Halberds new armour tool kit.
And then it's up to you for what you want to do.

-Justin

I'd say the best way to start is to start My first piece of metal armour did meet SCA specs but it was ugly as anything and uncomfortable in use (an articulated elbow), BUT I learned so much from actually wielding a hammer that all the advice in the world couldn't give me.
I even turned it into an A&S article for our regional newsletter as a guide to "having a go" rather than armouring. The pair of elbows cost me £15 including all the tools I used and taught me all those handy tips like "don't hammer on the bit of metal that your hand is under" that you only really understand through experience.
Just go for it and expect to throw away your first pieces, or at least pass them down to those with less skill and /or money (and believe me, there will always be someone with less of both no matter how short of each you think yourself.)
Happy hammering.
Maredudd

ToMAR if the acronim for the above mentioned book

it is GREAT!

it explaines nearly every aspect of armouring for a biginner:)

that and the Deluxe Newbie Armouring Kit from Halberds here on teh Archive is great... I just got mine