Question on Ron Simmons stuff!

Jake Stallion · Post by **Jake Stallion** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 1:41 pm

I'm about to commission a breast and backplate, elbow, knee, and shoulder cops from Ron Simmons.
How much refurbishing does his stuff require? What kind of quality can I expect? I've heard only good things about him, thus far. Is there anything in particular I should know in regaurds to him?
I'm really hoping this'll be a good, cheap way to get suited up in a hurry. All I need now is some leather for straps, rerebraces, vambraces, and thigh protection, some kind of tassets and a helm...
Not to mention a sheild. But I'll just pace myself.

accdntprone · Post by **accdntprone** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 2:21 pm

Well, I like rons stuff. I use one of his breast plates myself, though I made my own backplate. I have used his elbows and knees (with lames) I dont know to much about his sholder cops, but if they are like most of his stuff they are workable. Just understand that he is not selling you finished armor, so you may have to work with it some.

Ceawlin · Post by **Ceawlin** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 2:25 pm

Basically, everything you get from Ron Simmons needs finishing work. Consider it literally 'rough from the hammer'. He cuts out the patterns, then roughly dishes it with a power hammer of some kind, then delivers it. The final product you receive is technically useable 'as is', but won't really look right/finished unless you take some time to even out the dishing and polish it up.

Most people, including some full time armories, have used his services to speed up their own work, i.e. do 90% of the effort.

I've made two orders from him, and both arrived in the mail in about two weeks.

Gundo · Post by **Gundo** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 2:53 pm

I wouldn't describe Ron's work as "roughly" dished.

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sarnac · Post by **sarnac** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 10:57 pm

If you check this link it has my two first helmets I have ever made that were Ron Simmons pre dished tops. http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002946.html
The bottom one was a pre-dished regular helm that I cut to size and welded together then ground and gave a basic finish, the other was a bascinet top that I had to raise over a form and work it some to get the shape but the basic shape and original dishing was fantastic.
Highly reccommended if you dont mind finishing it.

Caleb · Post by **Caleb** » Fri Dec 29, 2000 6:42 am

Ack! i can't find a link to Ron Simmons webpage anywhere!!

someone help!

thanks
Caleb

Lu-shan · Post by **Lu-shan** » Fri Dec 29, 2000 11:02 am

http://members.nbci.com/armourstuff/

I can't believe I'm the first response!

Steve S. · Post by **Steve S.** » Fri Dec 29, 2000 11:59 am

I've used Ron's helm halves to make kettle helms (dress). We had to do a little trimming (our bad - our pattern turned out to have a little too much material along the bottom) but if our pattern had been right to start with they were usuable as-is. They are smooth and fine.

Steve