The Armour Archive

I am trying to assemble a rig for use in the Ansteorran summers. Those of you who know me already are aware that my current rig is late period Japanese, made of black ABS plastic - very protective, but hotter than Hades. I have in mind something Western, utilizing the large shield favored by those in my kingdom, to get away with wearing a bit less armor than I currently sport.

The specific look I am going for is "Late Period Southwestern Scadia" - you know the tribe - from somewhere in Europe, possibly related to the Vikings a little, ahistorical helmet and shield, baggy tunic, baggy wrap pants, boots. I just want something not so blasted hot as what I have now! Some armor will be getting dual use with both Japanese and Western kits. These include:

1) White rearpoint bascinet, vital to reflecting heat and looking like a <a>Sohei</a>.

2) Black splint arms and mitten gauntlets - I'm not interested in a separate set for three months out of the year.

3) Steel knees - not connected to cuisses or anything else.

At this point I'm mainly just fishing for ideas. I'm thinking leather belly band for kidneys and such, some leather cuisses for the thighs, a less Japanese leather gorget, and some ABS reinforcement for the spine and shoulders. I guess I'm gonna need some demi-gauntlets, too. I will probably hide all the armor underneath a nice baggy light-colored tunic or something. Black and white, maybe. I'm going for (relative) comfort under the blazing summer sun.

What am I missing? Does anyone have any patterns they suggest or like to use for this sort of thing? I'm certain that I'm not hard enough for actual "Tuchux minimums" or something equally tough. I'd be happy to start the design there and reinforce the parts I'm not manly enough to live without.

From what i hear alum. is pretty cooling.

Roman... go Roman..

MJBlazek wrote:Roman... go Roman..

Like.... late Roman army? That's a good look, and would probably work.

spearweasel wrote:

MJBlazek wrote:Roman... go Roman..

Like.... late Roman army? That's a good look, and would probably work.

I have put together an o.k Roman kit for under $500.

If you are interested in the details pm me.

Well actually, traditional *is* pretty close to the old tuchuk design. (tabard over a weight-lifting belt and minimums).

To beat the heat, 2 layer *linen* gambeson and a mantle for the bascinet. Go ahead and whack some light splinted cuisses under there as well. Break the Ansteorran stereotype (How do you tell the Ansteorran fighters? They're the ones standing in the blazing sun 5 foot from shade.)

The gambeson will work. You'll sweat, once that starts and it gets wet, it'll act to cool you better.

If you want less, talk to Sir Asoph. He may have some of his old kit lying around.

just a note.

One thing that nobody has mentioned.

If you have a wet gambeson on, and are wearing mail over it, it acts a lot like and air conditioner, if you get into the shade. I have been cool or even cold on days in the high eighties. I have shivered on days in the seventies.

Of course, you are looking for Less armor, not More, but I thought I would open my mouth anyway.

f

And don't forget. Underarmor is your best friend on a sweaty day with any kind of breeze.

What happened to Ansteorra Standard: Helmet, Vambs, greaves, Kidney belt, gorget , and Knees/elbows. Besides having Marshalls from ANY other kingdom figuring you need 72 hours observation .

Still plenty of the Ansteorran Standard around. They did drop the observation period to 48 hours. They are getting used to us.

Tatsuo Okami wrote:What happened to Ansteorra Standard: Helmet, Vambs, greaves, Kidney belt, gorget , and Knees/elbows. Besides having Marshalls from ANY other kingdom figuring you need 72 hours observation .

I used to bitch about the ansteorra standard all the time but oddly, last time I was at practice I didnt see any exposed plastic and leather. Everyone has been buying up steel like their expecting longbows on the field...