The Armour Archive

I've been doing a lot of research but many of the folks who make these seem to be very busy on long cues...

I can't just buy off the shelf because I have thick and short arms.

10 1/2" from Elbow to wrist, 7 3/4 " around the wrist and 13" around the largest forearm diameter.

I don't really want leather or splints, really looking for Mild Steel/Aluminum/Stainless with tulip shape to accommodate and a deep enough cup to be SCA combat legal in Caid. Wrist doesn't have to be rolled but should be flared. Leather hinges are acceptable.

Price point should be no more than $120 for the pair + shipping

Never mind. Missed the bit about not wanting leather.

Any particular reason you don't want leather?

Yes there is,

Its a time vs. cost factor.

I could make a set in leather and harden them in an afternoon or two. I could go purchase sheet metal and bang them out for myself as well.

The time I'd have to take away from other projects, unpack storage to recover specialist tools or travel to use the equipment of friends would cost me 3-4 times what I could afford to pay another person to do the project.

I don't have a dislike of hardened leather... after having been out of active fighting for over 10 years and living in a place where temps often hit above 100 degrees, I want them light to reduce fatigue.

Makes sense. I was curious.

Maybe I can help you. We can do what you want out of cold rolled steel.
Examples of our work:
http://battleforge.io.ua/album444775

Thank you for your reply,

While I must say the pictures of your work show quality and craftsmanship...

I feel that doing business with someone so far away is potentially too problematic.

Also, in this time of economic hardship I prefer to keep my business closer to home.

Good luck in your endeavors

PatternWeld wrote:Thank you for your reply,
While I must say the pictures of your work show quality and craftsmanship...
I feel that doing business with someone so far away is potentially too problematic.
Also, in this time of economic hardship I prefer to keep my business closer to home.
Good luck in your endeavors

how do you know he is far away?

the .ua web address and Cyrillic text on the site at least hint at it.

PatternWeld wrote:I've been doing a lot of research but many of the folks who make these seem to be very busy on long cues...

I can't just buy off the shelf because I have thick and short arms.

10 1/2" from Elbow to wrist, 7 3/4 " around the wrist and 13" around the largest forearm diameter.

I don't really want leather or splints, really looking for Mild Steel/Aluminum/Stainless with tulip shape to accommodate and a deep enough cup to be SCA combat legal in Caid. Wrist doesn't have to be rolled but should be flared. Leather hinges are acceptable.

Price point should be no more than $120 for the pair + shipping

I would rather doubt that you are going to find metal bazus for that price. Most armourers wont even touch bazus (believe me, I've tried).

The best you may do is Bokalo: Item #925 - Bazerbon (simple welded) - Aluminum; $72.50 each

There is a young guy in Lyondemere ( I would have to get in touch with him) that will make them, don't know how much. However, they are solid, but not super shiny-pretty.

Going to need to change your price point for custom bazubands in steel I imagine, or get lucky with some kind soul.

Mine are $160 and they're leather, not steel.

Magnus & Bigfred,

I will politely disagree.

2 examples.

Truehearth - $100 16 ga. MS with rolled edges and metal hinges
Clang - $125 16 ga. MS Metal hinges and spring pin closure

Bokalo? $72.50 each for aluminum, leather hinge vs $80.00 each for full 3/4 stainless arms...

*Politeness off* scroll down at your own risk






It wasn't my intention to turn this into a contentious thread... but what the heck, looks like one can find trolls anywhere. I am a little miffed you feel the need to chime in with unsolicited opinion rather than staying germane to my request.

In the end it only bumps the thread and keeps it fresh to the eyes of a skilled individual who may be interested in making a sale.

Bokalo has "off the shelf" sizing that I doubt fits me, otherwise I would have ordered from his "express" page.

Just because you overcharge for leather doesn't mean my stated pricepoint for MS/Aluminum is out of line..

$160 for less than an afternoon of leather work that an apprentice can do? Seriously?

here's another free bump from another troll ...

Both of the people that offered opinion to your request did so without the intention of being contentious, they offered suggestions, they offered alternatives, they offered friendly advice, you asked for assistance, you got it and you spit at the people that offered it, good luck getting people to step up and give you that requested assistance.

You call them trolls for offering advice, I doubt their intent was to derail your thread, you chose to make it impolite and contentious. Might you consider that a bit trollish on your part? If not, read it again. I have no dog in this fight but I wouldn't sell them to you if I did.

You question Magnus pricing and state that he overcharges, do you feel yours are similar to his in quality, craftmanship or aesthetics?

PatternWeld wrote:Magnus & Bigfred,

I will politely disagree.

2 examples.

Truehearth - $100 16 ga. MS with rolled edges and metal hinges
Clang - $125 16 ga. MS Metal hinges and spring pin closure

Bokalo? $72.50 each for aluminum, leather hinge vs $80.00 each for full 3/4 stainless arms...

*Politeness off* scroll down at your own risk






It wasn't my intention to turn this into a contentious thread... but what the heck, looks like one can find trolls anywhere. I am a little miffed you feel the need to chime in with unsolicited opinion rather than staying germane to my request.

In the end it only bumps the thread and keeps it fresh to the eyes of a skilled individual who may be interested in making a sale.

Bokalo has "off the shelf" sizing that I doubt fits me, otherwise I would have ordered from his "express" page.

Just because you overcharge for leather doesn't mean my stated pricepoint for MS/Aluminum is out of line..

$160 for less than an afternoon of leather work that an apprentice can do? Seriously?

I was trying to help a fellow Caid-ian from my experience in looking for a pair of CUSTOM Bazus.

Bokalo has a very good reputation and I have dealt with him personnally. His stuff is solid and well made. You also have a very high likelihood of actually RECEIVING your armour in a decent amount of time.

With all due respect, if you don't want help, don't ask for it. I wish you luck in your search.

I look forward to meeting you on the List field.

Opinions are like belly buttons. Everyone has one. I just didn't ask to see yours.

Bigfred - Below the *Politeness Off* wasn't really directed towards you but I look forward to meeting a fellow Caiden on or off the list field.

Randy W - Clearly stated "Don't really want leather or splints".... thats not an invitation to leather workers, its a preferance of what I want for my kit, protection, weight and looks. If they don't work the material I asked for, how is thier unsolicited OPINION helpful in any way? Because someone charges $160 for thier leather work, that OBVIOUSLY means $120 for MS/ Aluminum/SS is WAY too cheap... especially when there's folks who charge comperable prices for more complex than I am looking for. (E.G. Rolled edges, recessed metal hinges, spring pin closures..)

Apples -> Apples

Everyone all done trolling yet?

I wasn't going to reply because you wanted $120 pair. We have done many but ours run $185 in stainless. I don't think its bad for about $90 ea in SS. Here is an example: Regards, Ulrich

On another note, I know you stated you did not want leather. But my friend Grimald does them in leather but he water hardens them. They are extremely strong and lighter than the SS. But it's your preference. Just giving options. Ulrich

http://grimaldsleatherworks.com/armor

Lord Ulrich,

Thank you for your reply and pictures.

The pattern is exactly what I was looking for. Are those stock sizes or can you accomodate my measurements for that price?
Do you offer aluminum or mild steel options? What would shipping run to 92307?

Patternweld, the bazubands are constructed to your measurements at that price. We do mild steel and aluminum as well. Shipping would be around $10 For better communication you can email me at saxon_squire@yahoo.com

Regards, Ulrich

wow.
You're misinformed regarding the weight of hardened leather versus steel, but you probably won't want to hear that anymore than you've wanted to hear anything else people have had to offer in response to your request for their input.

UlrichvR wrote:I wasn't going to reply because you wanted $120 pair. We have done many but ours run $185 in stainless. I don't think its bad for about $90 ea in SS. Here is an example: Regards, Ulrich

Troll!!!!!!!!! You said 120 and he quoted 180!!!!!! TROLL TROLL TROLL!! THEN>>>>>>>>HE EVEN MENTIONED LEATHER!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously dude, I am thinking this may just be a serious custom troll thread all around. You ask for something at a price thats a little crazy, then when people wonder why you are set a a specific product your response is basically "Well, I could make it myself but I am too cool making other stuff." Then you get directed to a VERY well respected source in clang, that for a pair would be about 140-150$ and are told that lower might be a stretch you scoff and list two sources that have the price you want. So if you knew what they had why not just go with them and save the drama "I am to cool to pay for leather" thread?

THEN....you get a qoute thats damn near the same or higher then what some others told you from other sources previously and you respond that its exactly what you want and you are all over it.

You really do not see at all how you came off as kind of a jerk?

PatternWeld wrote:Opinions are like belly buttons. Everyone has one. I just didn't ask to see yours.

......

Everyone all done trolling yet?

Probably not.

Especially since you seem to have so much sand packed into your man-gina that you attack those who were just trying to offer advice on pricing and give comparison of a leather counterpart, which are usually cheaper than metal.

mjaay wrote:

UlrichvR wrote:I wasn't going to reply because you wanted $120 pair. We have done many but ours run $185 in stainless. I don't think its bad for about $90 ea in SS. Here is an example: Regards, Ulrich

*SNIP*

THEN....you get a qoute thats damn near the same or higher then what some others told you from other sources previously and you respond that its exactly what you want and you are all over it.

I'll respond to the portion of MJaay's post that has bearing...

Yup, its a full $60-$65 out of the price range I was looking for. What you aren't considering are the "intangibles".

If you do a forum search for Lord Ulrich/Known World Traders.... you'll quickly see why I would be willing to jump out of my price range.

Sterling reputation, swift delivery, impeccable feedback from customers, great products well made.
Heap on the top of that Lord Ulrich is serving in the military in a foreign country AND he's done more to help struggling artists recover after things went south with their lives/order cues/business than anyone else I've seen or heard of in the last 10 years. He's also gone very far out of his way to help the still waiting customers get their items or their refunds acting as a conduit for communication.

Sums up in 3 words to me. Paragon of Nobility.

That's why I will willingly tighten my belt a little and pay a little more.

UlrichvR wrote:Patternweld, the bazubands are constructed to your measurements at that price. We do mild steel and aluminum as well. Shipping would be around $10 For better communication you can email me at saxon_squire@yahoo.com

Regards, Ulrich

Dude
Your INSANE

As picky (and bitchy) and this dude is and you want to do CUSTOM work for him?
If one little thing doesn't meet his expectations I suspect you wont hear the end of it.
Good luck with that.


To the OP

FWIW, Magnus (and many others here) is a reputable well know craftsman, people pay his prices because they know what they will get.
Time and material are the cheapest factors in cost for most craftsmen.
Rep and skill are worth far more IMO.

Would I pay Magnus $200 for a random piece of work? Hell yes, he is an amazing artist with an ever growing list of happy customers.
Would I pay you $200 for a random piece of work? Hell no, I have no idea about your skill or reputation. I have no idea what I will get or if I will even get it (the same can be said of many folks who pop up here saying they can do X)

Edited because I am suppose to be the new and improved shiny Halv who doesn't let his temper flare in the AA

Just goes to show.... an occasional GEM (Ulrich) can be found amidst the dirt.

I try to order steak, get told I can't afford steak and XYZ has chicken, for more than I'm willing to pay for steak...

Then somehow... despite the fact that many other menu's have steak at comperable price to what I was willing to pay, that chicken is better and I should be happy to have chicken for a higher price. When an individual comes forward with steak... at a little higher price than I wanted to pay BUT with such a repuation that I know it's higher quality steak than what I originally wanted, he's insane for doing business with me.

I just got off the phone with Ulrich and will also be giving him even more business.

Yet somehow I am a picky douche canoe for clearly stating what I wanted and what I was willing to pay?

I think you need to check who's insane here.

Others have been rude... but Halv... you overstepped into personal attack.

Its a sad day to see a pile of offal stacked to your height, crammed into armour and pretending to be a human being.

Whatever, hope all goes well for Ulrich.

As for personal 'attack', if beig called a dick is the worst you get here, your doing good.
FWIW, I am fairly sure I am not the only one that made the observation.

But like I said, whatever.

I was going to post my bazu's from Jolly Knight, he's a bit far away but the quality and service was fantastic and in your price range.

I don't know if I wanna be involved in this thread now though....ggrrr




Here they are.......just cause I think they're schmexy.

16 ga. Stainless, brass trim, and stainless maille.






I don't care about the B.S. I just wanna show off my awesome arms for a great price.

I see Halv... as long as someone jumps on the bandwagon, thats makes them & by association, you, absolutely correct.

Its all about how many can fit in your clown car?

Benedek,

Thank you for your reply. Those are some sweet bazubands, just not quite as deep as I was looking for.

I'm sending Ulrich a desposit but will check out Jolly Knight for other needs as well.

PW, its all about respect.

I wasn't gonna post but now I have my big boy panties all freakin twisted up!
Each person on the AA has tons of experience in metal or leather. To each his own I say. Personally I like the leather cuz its smexy!!! And so does the wifey.

Now to the meat of the matter. PW...brother don't bite the hand that feeds, or in this case, helps you. As I've said before on another post here, find a happy medium and don't be a dick.

PatternWeld wrote:I see Halv... as long as someone jumps on the bandwagon, thats makes them & by association, you, absolutely correct.

Its all about how many can fit in your clown car?

I see you still refuse to see any wrong doing on your part.

To quote Vincent LaGuardia Gambini "I'm done with this guy!"

I've read this thread five times, and still can't figure out why everybody's panties are all twisted up. Decaf, folks.

Halvgrimr wrote:Whatever, hope all goes well for Ulrich.

As for personal 'attack', if beig called a dick is the worst you get here, your doing good.
FWIW, I am fairly sure I am not the only one that made the observation.

NOPE! You aren't the only one.

Since I found the Bazu's I was looking for.... I spent a little time on the internet and found this shot of Halv & Insane Irish together....