Helm preference in SCA?

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Sun Mar 04, 2001 10:40 pm

In SCA combat, what do folks out there prefer... a more massive (heavy)helm to help absorb the blows, or a lighter one which might be more comfortable to wear??

This question does not take into account any qaulities of the helms in question... only weight/mass.

DanNV · Post by **DanNV** » Sun Mar 04, 2001 10:51 pm

A heavy helm will be safer in the SCA. The mass will absorb a lot of the impact so it doesn't transfer to your head and neck.

Dan

Vladimir · Post by **Vladimir** » Sun Mar 04, 2001 11:13 pm

RIVETS! anything with lots of rivets!

truly, I don't think the weight is as much a factor in preference than the fit of the helm.

all other things being equal, I would take the heavier for greater safety. It might be different if I had to wear the thing all time while on campaign or something

Ned Chaney · Post by **Ned Chaney** » Mon Mar 05, 2001 12:07 am

mass is your friend when it comes to SCA helms. Learning this as I go!!

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They call me Ned

losthelm · Post by **losthelm** » Mon Mar 05, 2001 1:12 am

You need to find a balance between the two I have sceen SCA helms at nearly ten pounds this is unsafe on a person that weighs in at 120 the mass needs to be enuff to protect from the force and strong enuff to survive a season with out much time on the stake geting dents beat out. Most of this also depends on the region in with you fight if your region fights a bit lighter then your helm can be a bit lighter as long as it meats the SCA guildlines but hear in the north east we hit a bit harder so fighting in a 16 guage mild helm is asking to spend hours fixing your helm in the shop.
Personaly I like a bit of mass to protect my head and a nice fit to keep my profile small.

Otto von Teich · Post by **Otto von Teich** » Mon Mar 05, 2001 10:07 am

I kinda like lighter, 16-14 gauge is plenty,in my opinion.12 gauge is dentproof, but to heavy in my opinion.Of course I'm starting to suffer from a pinched nerve in the neck, so I want it as light as safty allows. A few small dents can add character to a helm.hee hee. Proper padding is also important.My main problem now, is my helmet is on the large side,I'd rather have one with a smaller profile,but still ample room for padding.....Da other Otto

Morgan · Post by **Morgan** » Mon Mar 05, 2001 12:16 pm

My close and armet are both over 10 pounds. I've never been dazed by ANY shot in either of them. I like that. I like them because their easier to get in and out of than chin strap helms.

TrooperBill · Post by **TrooperBill** » Mon Mar 05, 2001 12:58 pm

my first priority was a helm that I could fit my glasses on underneath whithout bending the hell out out 'em.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 06, 2001 12:58 am

i go for the comprimise between light and heavy.

ive worn heavy helms that have made my neck sore. and light helms that dont absorb blows very well. my current helm isn't too bad but is a little light for my taste(doesn't absorb blows as well as id like).

when i can get the barbute that i want that should provide the comprimise that i want(a barbute should be a bit heavier than the bascinet that im wearing now).

i am also a big comfort fanatic. my helm has to be comfy

Lord Jack · Post by **Lord Jack** » Tue Mar 06, 2001 1:53 am

I have worn all sorts of helms and while the overall mass of the helm is a factor the padding is the biggest for comfort and reduced "stars in front of the eyes" syndrom. Since I have gone to a combination of closed and open cell padding I havent seen those stars since. It should be said that the heaviest gauge my helms have been is 14ga. My worst experience was a old freon can helm, thought some of my teeth had actually fallen out after I got clobbered from a strait down shot.

syrragnarr · Post by **syrragnarr** » Tue Mar 06, 2001 3:08 pm

Being a relatively competitive SCA fighter, I find that fit and weight distribution are more important then actual weight and gauge of metal. I used to fight in a 14 guage spun top helmet with cheek plates and now fight in a 12 guage basinet with aventail that was made for my head. It is probably one and a half times heavier then my old helmet at least but feels lighter and more comfortable then my old helmet. Having it made to fit my head allowed me to have it safely padded with a single layer of padding. I find that a basinet, especially a lower point basinet, and a sallet with one lame or less tend to have the best glancing surfaces for SCA combat. These two types of helmets also allow you the option of not having to wear a gorget, which appeals to me. I feel safer with my aventail then I did with my old gorget that I wore with my old helmet. I think a sallet with a bevor is safer still. Just the two cents of a fighter.

Ragnarr Blackhammer or as my friends call me...Rags

Rainald · Post by **Rainald** » Tue Mar 06, 2001 8:03 pm

I have fought in a variety of helms. The heaviest was 15 lbs with camail, and the lightest is the closed face sallet I currently use. I think it's around 7-8 lbs. I much prefer the sallet with it's slippery glancing surfaces.

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Wed Mar 07, 2001 10:27 pm

Well... the reason for my question, is that I will have the choice this week between a slightly light weight (16 gauge) bascinet and a much more heavy duty early period spangenhelm... The bascinet is used and I have been assured it stood up quite well to SCA combat... but I'm kind of leaning toward the spangenhelm for increased mass/safety purposes.

[img]http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/confused.gif[/img]

DanNV · Post by **DanNV** » Wed Mar 07, 2001 11:53 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Otto:
Well... the reason for my question, is that I will have the choice this week between a slightly light weight (16 gauge)
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If the metal started at 16 guage before it was dished, ther eis no way it is 16 guage now which means it isn't legal. Stick a wheel guage or the like on teh edge and see what it measures out to. Realise that you'll lose between 1 and 2 guage thicknesses in the middle of the dished areas so if the sides are less than a tight 15/loose 14 the helmet can't be legal.

Dan

Harold the Bear · Post by **Harold the Bear** » Wed Mar 07, 2001 11:55 pm

I love my 12 pound monster helm

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Have Zwei will Travel
HtB

Templar Bob/De Tyre · Post by **Templar Bob/De Tyre** » Thu Mar 08, 2001 8:28 am

Twelve gauge stainless will stop damned near anything!

That's why I use it! One can judge a blow just fine without getting concussed.

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Robert Coleman, Jr.

The Noble Companie and Order of St. Maurice

Those who beat their swords into plowshares end up plowing for those who don't.

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Thu Mar 08, 2001 8:45 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by syrragnarr:
Being a relatively competitive SCA fighter,
(snip)
Ragnarr Blackhammer or as my friends call me...Rags<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey, is this the Ragnar who was King of Atlantia at this last Pennsic?

IF so, welcome! Heck, if not, Welcome anyway.

Timo
King of Ansteorra at this last Pennsic

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Thu Mar 08, 2001 6:11 pm

Thanks for all the responses... I'm going to have to go with the spangenhelm and sell the bacsinet... it's a little small for my head. Note, however, the metal of the bascinet does not appear to have been thinned during construction. It appears to have been made in a non-traditional way involving more cuts and bends which were then welded as opposed to the normal deep dishing that occurs with a bascinet. Unique construction technique and fairly well shaped, but too small for me to wear comfortably... Oh well... off to Ebay it goes.