5 year plan for armour

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 10:14 am

Good Morning,

I just want to clear some issues up. I may have confused many people.

I will still fight whenever my wife, children, dog, and profession can allow me to.

I will armour whenever I'm invited to someone's shop, AND my wife, children, dog and profession can allow me to.

I will be taking the SCA-Chef route to armour and garb -- my wife and I will save up our money for the hard-and-fast goal of buying a full suit of garb for every member of the family from Black Swan Designs, and armour from Armourworks, Vulcan's Forge, and Critter.

My daughter is two years old. I expect that I will be unable to participate in heavy fighting (other than 1-2 day-trips per year)until she is seven. This gives me five years to save up the money, contract reliable artisans, outfit the family appropriately, and take the field in the year of our Lord, two thousand and eight.

What I believe we require is:

From Black Swan Designs:

1. "Complete 15th Century Man's Outfit $610.00
2. Complete 15th Century Woman's Outfit $533.00+ anything additional to make up the cost difference between her outfit and mineâ€¦rule to those married, NEVER spend more on your outfit than hers!
3. Both children and dog outfitted with appropriate outfits for 1475 AD from Black Swan Designs. ??? $400 ???
Total cost estimate (including shipping): $1700

From Armourworks.com:
4. A rough* copy of the tonlet suit of the Chamberlain of Burgandy made in 1500 AD, in stainless** (following prices are estimates from their website ONLY! I expect this figure to fluctuate 15% either way due to the economy, discounts, cost overruns, etcâ€¦):

a. $675 for the breastplate / tonlet
b. $190 for the paldrons
c. $340 for full steel legs
d. $250 for sabatons
e. $415 for full cased greaves connected to the full steel legs
f. $700 to fly to Texas twice. Once to get fitted while wearing the clothes from Black Swan Designs, and another to try the suit on and get any last minute changes made (minor adjustments that can't be done by just measurements).
g. Add 10% for strapping (estimate).
h. Total : $2,030 + $700 for the flight.
i. Plus 15% gratuity for early arrival and excellent food while I visit: $3,040.

Armourworks is already working on floating elbows for me. Having had visited them three times and got to know Bill and Norhalla as friends (and EXCELLENT cooks!!), I am exceedingly impressed with their standards, workmanship, reliability and approachability. I know some have problems with Armourworks -- please don't bring that issue up. I would trust them with my children -- in comparison, trusting them with my armour submission is mere trivia.

Dave Rylak of Vulcans Forge Armoury in Jobstown, NJ (Cet on the Archive) is working on the skull and a rudimentary visor for the helm.***

Critter (who I sold my shear and anvil to) has volunteered to make the rebrace and vambraces out of stainless steel I give him, and for as-yet-to-be-determined price ($50-70?). I hope I can convince him to do some shallow fluting on the visor of my helm (and let me help when work and wife permits). He has also volunteered to work on the cuffs for my gauntlets, when I provide the stainless steel.

I still need advice on a 1480 AD tent that can fit a seven year old girl, eleven year old boy, wife (and her stuff), rottweiler (who should be old, fat, slow and lazy by then), AND can be set up casually by a 40 year old somewhat-healthy man with a lot on his mind and a need to relax. I'm estimating $2000 at this time. I would love everyone's advice on this one.

Total Cost for Everything (ESTIMATES!!):
Garb $1,700 + Armour $3,300 + Tent $2,000 = $7,000 (Sounds like a lot, doesn't it?â€¦but wait â€¦.

$7,000 / (5 years * 12 months/ year) = $7000 / 60 months = $117 per month.

This is definitely workable.

Advice or comment? I really don't think I'll be able to get on the field for the next five years (except for MINOR daytrips) due to child-care and work issues. But, I can easily save up $120 per month to outfit the family for when we do. My wife already has her armour from Icefalcon.

-Aaron

* I say "rough" because it took me four months on and off to produce a tonlet that looks about the same as the tonlet of the Chamberlain of Burgandy -- if you use the 10K mile rule (view from orbit). I don't expect perfection if I can't possibly get it from myself. I expect excellence, but not perfection.

** For maintenance onlyâ€¦kids, dog, housework, doing "outbreak" workâ€¦when do I polish???
*** Why isn't Dave doing the visor you ask? He's a man of honor, and steadfastly refused (even with offers of effectively unlimited money) to accept money for ANY project that he hasn't at least perfected once on his own. Dave will go FAR in the armouring business, because the best aren't paid for their talent, they're paid for their honor and reliability. Dave is ULTRA reliable, AMAZINGLY honorable, and exceedingly talented.

[This message has been edited by Aaron (edited 06-14-2003).]

Otto von Teich · Post by **Otto von Teich** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 1:18 pm

I think your going about it the right way! In the end, you'll have what you want and wont have to constantly upgrade.Upgrading gets very expensive,as you seldom recoup much in the way of original expense from what you sell.And your always kinda cranky because you dont like,or cant use what you've got LOL.......Otto

Jan van Nyenrode · Post by **Jan van Nyenrode** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 1:48 pm

I think you should remember to compensate for inflation if your bank interest rate doesn't cover it. and then maybe a little extra to be on the save side.

Just an idea

chef de chambre · Post by **chef de chambre** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 1:55 pm

Hi Aaron,

Sounds like you have a workable plan. Good for you.

For the ten, I'd reccommend a Past Tents "Burgundian" - a medium or large given the size of your family. I got a small, and it works into one half being a bedroom, and the other being office/gear stowage.

It took three of us 20 minutes to put it up the first time, never having put one of this design up before. Now that we have a clue, two people (one holding the poles, and one putting he tent up) can probably do it in 15 minutes. I got mine direct from the UK for $1300, including import duties and shipping.

------------------
Bob R.

Lord William Avery · Post by **Lord William Avery** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 3:27 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by chef de chambre:
Hi Aaron,

Sounds like you have a workable plan. Good for you.

For the ten, I'd reccommend a Past Tents "Burgundian" - a medium or large given the size of your family. I got a small, and it works into one half being a bedroom, and the other being office/gear stowage.

It took three of us 20 minutes to put it up the first time, never having put one of this design up before. Now that we have a clue, two people (one holding the poles, and one putting he tent up) can probably do it in 15 minutes. I got mine direct from the UK for $1300, including import duties and shipping.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Chef,

Is Brian Price still a distributor for Past Tents in the U.S. of A.? I was told so, but am not able to find any mention of it on his site anymore and emails sent his way do not get responded to...

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Data Fata Secitus

Directory of S.C.A. Armouries & Armouring Supplies

Persona / Culture Research Links

chef de chambre · Post by **chef de chambre** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 5:13 pm

Hi William,

I believe he is - on the other hand, wasn't there a theft recently? Trailer stolen wih tents and books or the like?

I went direct because of my location on the Eas Coast close to Logan - the tent was a big investment for us, and I had to work out the cheapest means to the penny. I would have gone with Tentmasters (they are local), but their closest comparable tent was more expensive. Since It would have to be shipped from California, I would have ended up paying some $200-$300 more than I did - going by the prices in Brians catalog.

At any rate, if Brian doesn't answer - look up Past Tents on the net, and phone John directly (he doesn't do e-mail, I don't think he has his own computer). He is a great guy, and worked with us to help make our tent happen.

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Bob R.

Cassius the Rabbit · Post by **Cassius the Rabbit** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 8:56 pm

I would like to mention Desert torch tents. I dont own one yet, need about $2000 but it will my next tent. I met these gentlemen at Gulf wars this year and fell in love with their tents. They are all square or rectangular and come with the ropes and poles. The tents sag a bit when they are put up but they have allowed for the shrinkage when the tent gets rained on so you dont have to adjust any ropes or poles in a storm. We went inside during one of the rain storms this year and it was extremely dry inside. We came back by when it was dry to see that they do sag but that is how they are designed.

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Sir Alrek Kanin
or just plain 'ol Rabbit

Lord William Avery · Post by **Lord William Avery** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 9:26 pm

Chef, thanks for the info I will give them both a try and see who nibbles first.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by chef de chambre:
Hi William,

I believe he is - on the other hand, wasn't there a theft recently? Trailer stolen wih tents and books or the like?

I went direct because of my location on the Eas Coast close to Logan - the tent was a big investment for us, and I had to work out the cheapest means to the penny. I would have gone with Tentmasters (they are local), but their closest comparable tent was more expensive. Since It would have to be shipped from California, I would have ended up paying some $200-$300 more than I did - going by the prices in Brians catalog.

At any rate, if Brian doesn't answer - look up Past Tents on the net, and phone John directly (he doesn't do e-mail, I don't think he has his own computer). He is a great guy, and worked with us to help make our tent happen.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

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Data Fata Secitus

Directory of S.C.A. Armouries & Armouring Supplies

Persona / Culture Research Links

Lord William Avery · Post by **Lord William Avery** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 9:28 pm

Sir Alrek, is this the ones you speak of?

http://www.deserttorch.com/Tents.htm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Alrek the Rabbit:
I would like to mention Desert torch tents. I dont own one yet, need about $2000 but it will my next tent. I met these gentlemen at Gulf wars this year and fell in love with their tents. They are all square or rectangular and come with the ropes and poles. The tents sag a bit when they are put up but they have allowed for the shrinkage when the tent gets rained on so you dont have to adjust any ropes or poles in a storm. We went inside during one of the rain storms this year and it was extremely dry inside. We came back by when it was dry to see that they do sag but that is how they are designed.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Red Dragon · Post by **Red Dragon** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 11:51 pm

Aaron,

I have never seen anyone with that detailed a plan. I like it, good luck.

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Conor
Red Dragon Armoury
You should serve your boredom, unless you can make your boredom serve you.

Lord William Avery · Post by **Lord William Avery** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 1:11 am

Awesome plan. You might be able to beat the price on the tent if you do some shopping. Also, have you factored in tax money (that is if you get a refund)?

rameymj · Post by **rameymj** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 10:56 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Aaron:
...I will still fight whenever ... dog ... allow me to.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

"Honey, I'm going to fight" he said.

"Have a good time dear" says the wife.

As he approached the door, Scruffy was there with the leash. "Ruff, ruff"* deflated his dreams.

* - translation: "No you're not, you're going to walk me."

rameymj · Post by **rameymj** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 11:14 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Aaron:
I still need advice on a 1480 AD tent that can fit ...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You might check
Dragon Wing -- i thought dragonwing had a different website

or
Pantehr Primatives

IIRC, both of these have good reps.

Michael

Halberds · Post by **Halberds** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 11:22 pm

Best of luck upon your quest.
Most noble Knight.
God speed.

5 years will really happen. I bought my first new vehicle ever; 5 years agao. It seemed like a long time to make payments at the time. But now is now and it is paid for; it still runs great.

Hoooah