Fighting in an aventail

kaiÃ¶ · Post by **kaiÃ¶** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:39 pm

What's that like? Mobility, ease of breathing (when it's over the face obviously), etc.

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:49 pm

Wonderful. I can't compare fighting in a helm without a drape to one with. It helps lower the weight onto your head, ending in less rocking from stronger shots. You have another layer between your neck and their sword. Breathing and seeing through it are pretty much a non-issue (with welded and riveted). I have two slots exposed on my helm (middle bar is uncovered), and I rarely need to look down that far without tilting my head (and I am 6'6"). I also don't really need to worry about 90% of my grill spreading larger than 1" as the welded maille won't penetrate more than 1/4" anyway. The only disadvantage of having it over your face is that you can't stick a straw through the bargrill to drink.

Oh, and did I mention it looks so much better than an exposed bargrill and backplate?

Leo Medii · Post by **Leo Medii** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:02 pm

God's own armor.

Karl Helweg · Post by **Karl Helweg** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:59 pm

Aventails are about all that I trust to protect my favorite throat. The chainmail "catches" weapons before they touch your throat. They sit comfortably since the weight partially shifts to your shoulders which the mail helps to protect too. They are authentic and look good.

What aventail (and vervelles) are you looking at using on what helm?

Galfrid atte grene · Post by **Galfrid atte grene** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 2:24 pm

My aventail sometimes catches on my armour and prevents me from moving my head freely. This would be resolved if I had a padded liner. Might not be a problem for you if there is nothing for it to catch on.

Like Karl, I appreciate the extra protection to the neck. I took several hard thrusts to the throat last practice and the aventail "caught" 'em just fine.

Jess · Post by **Jess** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:33 pm

For me, it seriously sucked for about 3 months. After that, I was used to the weight and do not notice it at all. But it took a while to get there and I hated it during the adjustment phase.

Now I find it does not hinder me, it looks pure awesome. It even protects my shoulders a little better.

I do get black residue on my face sometimes.

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:40 pm

To clarify, I have a drape on my Norman helm. This has removed some of the issues noticed by others in the thread (no breastplate to catch on, isn't against my face like a klappvisor).

Uneg · Post by **Uneg** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:44 pm

kaiÃ¶ wrote:What's that like? Mobility, ease of breathing (when it's over the face obviously), etc.

I love mine. Mobility isn't really much of an issue and I don't notice a difference in ease of breathing.

Ease of getting water, however, is...not so easy. Get something with a tube and mark it as yours (or wear it), and you're golden.

This image really illustrates how much "space" there is in mine.

thanks for the pic, Ursus!

Saritor · Post by **Saritor** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:01 pm

Jess wrote:I do get black residue on my face sometimes.

Thought that was just from smiting evil.

Hrolfr · Post by **Hrolfr** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:32 am

Oswyn_de_Wulferton wrote:To clarify, I have a drape on my Norman helm. This has removed some of the issues noticed by others in the thread (no breastplate to catch on, isn't against my face like a klappvisor).

I have fought in one so long I doubt I would feel comfortable NOT wearing one (or at a full face helm).

I wear one on my Viking occular. I like how it adds mass to the helm. It does not bother my vision, nor my breathing. And it looks cool!

Cian of Storvik · Post by **Cian of Storvik** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:00 am

Like Galfrid, I used to have a problem with the aventail catching on my breastplate corners or the spaulders, but after scrutinizing effigies and noticing where the hem/edge of the aventail should lay, I wound-up shortening it by 2". It helped not only with what it cought on, but also the static weight of turning my head side to side. 2" doesn't sound like a lot, but it felt like taking 5 lbs. off of the helm.

I also added a padded liner, so I don't feel I need any extra shoulder protection besides a cop. Most guys I know add an epullette under their gambeson or they prefer field hockey protectors for that spot. Of course, when I fight (which is rare) most people don't have a problem going for my leg or my head.

No problems with breathing because the mail stops just below my lower lip. So long as you're not breathing into a liner, you shouldn't have any issues. (e.g. if you use a liner, but want the mail higher, stop the top of the liner below your mouth).

[img]http://www.geocities.com/firespiter/helmetliner/helmetliner9.jpg[/img]
-Cian

Paul the Small · Post by **Paul the Small** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:21 am

I don't have any trouble seeing or breathing through mine. Visually, once you learn to "see through" the chain mail it's about the same as looking through a fencing mask. Mine is far enough away that it doesn't effect my breathing at all. I feel like my throat is MUCH safer with the chain.

The only bad thing is the added weight tends to make my neck tired after a while. I think this is because my helm itself is very heavy even before I added the chain.

Here's a pic by Baroness Barbra Sterling of me missing a block by about 1/2 a mile or so.

[img]http://www.brotherguido.com/blackmoor/event/barbarianbrawl2009/IMG_8761.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.brotherguido.com/blackmoor/event/barbarianbrawl2009/IMG_8762.jpg[/img]

Blackoak · Post by **Blackoak** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:22 am

It is easy to breath through and see through if you are bringing it up to your top bar.

I'll second that is helps the helm sit more securely and safely.

And they look sweet.

Uric

Fighting in an aventail

Fighting in an aventail

that throat thingy

Re: Fighting in an aventail