The Armour Archive

Hello!

I just got into the SCA with my hubby and after watching him fight at Ursulmas, I got bit by the Heavy Fighting bug BAD. However, I'm finding that getting into this sport will not be as easy for me and it was for my husband. He could get loaner gear and build his first kit out of bits and pieces folks had laying around, I however, cannot. I'm just too damn small.

I need to commission a helm.

I'll be honest, I don't know anything about commissioning a helm, so be gentle!

Malina

Hello,
So there some initial things that you need to know-the measurements (size) of you head and (most important) what style/time period.
Where in An Tir are you?

Well, you have already made an excellent first step in simply coming to the archive: realm of awesomeness and superfluous armour worship ;p

Agreed.

Measurements are the main thing.
Style and period are just as important.

The main measurement is around your head, level at the temples.
Length of your neck is also important.

I am sure I am forgetting one last measurement, but I'm being dense at the moment....
I am sure we have enough other folks here who will refresh my memory for me.

-Badger-

Ironbadger wrote:
Measurements are the main thing.
Style and period are just as important.

-Badger-

And the third is cost.

There are cheap basic starter helms, generic brain buckets, upscale custom jobs and LH grade reconstructions. Quite a few people can make you a custom helm BUT yours needs to a unique size. That means you want to talk with an armorer who has experience with resizing rather then just building stock pieces. Also you aren't likely to re-sell your helm easily so you should consider what you want carefully before investing.

You might also want to check out http://www.createforum.com/thegirlsclub/ . The fighters I've known with the smallest helms were women and you might get some leads on used helms or armorers who do custom work in that size.

Welcome to the game. Good luck and have fun!

Sean

Malina wrote:Hello!

I just got into the SCA with my hubby and after watching him fight at Ursulmas, I got bit by the Heavy Fighting bug BAD. However, I'm finding that getting into this sport will not be as easy for me and it was for my husband. He could get loaner gear and build his first kit out of bits and pieces folks had laying around, I however, cannot. I'm just too damn small.

I need to commission a helm.

I'll be honest, I don't know anything about commissioning a helm, so be gentle!

Malina

First you need to decide on a style. Then a budget. Or a Budget and pick a style that falls into that budget.
Find someone that is capable of building you a helmet for your needs, and wont flake out on the build.
dont be scared to ask questions to the armourer and others about his/her work.
after you have done all these things find out what measurements they need . You should be given
several measurements to take . Which you will not do by your self. Your hubby will do it for you.

Hope this helps

Donngal

also remember to pay us the advice fee of bacon in 1 lb per question anwsered to be divied to all of us helping you =P or pics of when you get your helm will do XD

btw 2 main things i think are the most important

budget and head size. Reason i dont think style matters is cause without loaner gear for your head you will NOT be able to join in untill that at least is covered cause armor will be easier to find cheap enough or make =)

I may have one available for a small noggin... But gonna need some measurements before I can say for sure. I'd let it fly for around $100 or so. Bascinet style helm

I've got a butt ugly barrel helm that's tiny. I'll sell it to you for $50, shipping included. PM me if you're interested.

We can make one to your desire and we guarantee fit. That means if you do not like the fit, you can return it and have us remake it for you from scratch or give you your money back. We usually get it right the first time. I might even have something in stock that will fit your head.

Drop us a line if you are interested.

Ice

I have a stainless helm that I took in on trade from a lady fighter. If you are interested, I can send you pics of it via email. I have several items I have taken in on trade and am getting to the point of putting them onto the site for sale.

Frank

Hey guys, you are all so awesome and welcoming, thank you!!

Its quite daunting, because there aren't any girls around this area, so, I'm kind of the anamoly as far as trying to find gear and what not. That being said, thank you for letting me know what info you need, let me see...

-I'm in Bellingham, WA in the Shire of Shittimwoode.

-Measurement around my head at the temples is about 21.5, like I said, I'm tiny!

-Style and Budget: Okay, so this part gets a little weird. I have literally no armor, so I can't practice, I can't do slow work, I can't do anything. So right now, I don't care about style, I care about getting on the field. However, if I got a say in things....I'd like to stay under $200 for the helm, because I've seen a lot of posts telling new fighters you can get a starter helm for about $150.

What I have to work up to eventually is a Hussar helmet, as our persona's are Polish folk, and though I'm working on a dress for non-combat, I'd eventually like my armor to reflect the polish military of the time. I did see the helm I want...Actually, I have to buy two, on for my man, at Ursulmas, it was a Hussars Helm modified for Heavy Combat, I even got pictures, smart thing that I am, but...gah! Look at me, rambling. Sorry.

I should add, if anyone has some cast off armor that would fit a 5"5 135lb girl, let me know?

Best way to pick by far is to look around at the sites and figure out what you want to be.
Do you wanna be:
Gothic German ... www.icefalcon.com
Crusader ... www.WindroseArmory.com or http://www.facebook.com/AesirMetalwyrks
14th century ... http://www.madmattsarmory.com/14thCentury.php or http://www.anshelmarms.com/bascinets.html
Polish ... http://www.facebook.com/AesirMetalwyrks
Early Period ... http://www.knotwolf.com/

Those up there are probably the highest dollar but arguably the best quality armorers on the web. From each one of those people you are looking at a helm for 750 - 800 bucks and up. However customer service for all of them are top notch. and you will have a helm which you can use for 20+ years.

When you do get around to doing your Polish rig, Dongal gives great zischagge.

In the mean time, you'll have a hard time finding a custom-fit helmet at starter-helm prices (except maybe from Hjalmr), so you'll want to follow up on all the used hats people have mentioned.

Zweihammer Armoury has some Awsome kits that are very easy to build.

Even for someone that has no skills. most people can do it with just a Hammer a block of wood and some Time. for around 150.

If it is in the Time period your looking for it might be what your looking for.

Shire of Shittimwoode.

Halvgrimr wrote:

Shire of Shittimwoode.

Holy S**t! Is that really the Shire's name?!

Well....Its quite....biblical.



-Badger-

Swete wrote:

Halvgrimr wrote:

Shire of Shittimwoode.

Holy S**t! Is that really the Shire's name?!

As for Polish winged hussars.

They have always had a special place in my heart for their truly magnificent armor and kit.

So I congratulate you and your husband both on your choice of persona.

That style armor and helm is a bit difficult to obtain here in the states, but seems a popular choice among the Ukrainian armorers.
Regardless, theres folks here that make them.

I second the motion to pick up whatever helm fits you and is affordable for now.
Its always good to keep for a spare lying around after you get your dream helm- but you have to get on the field first.

-Badger-

Yes, thank you. My shires name sucks. I'm well aware.

Your shire name is Medieval.
ANNNDDD probably named in the 70's.
Could be worse.

Ceawlin Alreding
Barony of (I-did-not-make-this-up-it's-been-on-the-Known-World-Map-for-40-years) SMOKING ROCKS.
It's New Bedford, MA. It's an entirely out of period allusion to freakin' whales.
Honest.
And we sit around Barony Meetings and have changed the stupid Group Arms 3 times (in 5 years) because people fight about which stupid whale "looks better"
I'd jump at the chance to be from Shittimwode.

Thanks for the kind words.

I still think its a sort of embarrassing name!

Malina wrote:Yes, thank you. My shires name sucks. I'm well aware.

No, it's AWESOME!

Do you have many bears in Shittimwoode?

Swete wrote:

Halvgrimr wrote:

Shire of Shittimwoode.

Holy S**t! Is that really the Shire's name?!

Ah yes, the noble Shire of Shittimwoode and the Royal Hunting Preserve.

It's-a full-a Popes!

James Arlen Gillaspie wrote:Do you have many bears in Shittimwoode?

Yes they do.

How much are you willing to spend for a cute helm that fits and passes muster with a money back guarantee?

May we see a pic of you in the rest of your armour to get an idea of your style?

Hal

Hal,
I have no armor yet! Sadly! I was at Ursulma's last weekend, and decided to heavy fight. I'm working from the ground up! So...if I took a pic now, it would be just bare skin and while I'm sure some folks might like that, I got a feeling it is against forum rules to have nude pics of fighters around, no matter how cute they are!

That being said, I'm trying to stick around $100-$150 for a starter helm.

Then you have set the first goal.
Now you must decide on your portrayal and the rest of the armour.

I have been working on a one of a kind kit collected from the archive.
http://home.armourarchive.org/members/h ... geDeal.jpg
However, I am still waiting on the spaulders and gorget from Otto's Armoury Back-order List.

Best of luck on your quest.

Hal

Short Term Goal: Anything that is legal and gets me on the field.

Long Term Goal: Lady Hussar. Yeah!

You might also check in with Mike at Stonekeep Armory. http://spiers-saddlery.stores.yahoo.net/ He has recently switched over to in-stock production but A) he focuses on affordable starter gear, B) he has great customer service, C) He made most of Robyn of Ryes suit after the airline lost her armor bag and she is probably the most petite female fighter I have ever met.

I'm surprised no one else thought to mention him before.

Sean

P.S. As it concerns the rest of the suit, polish or not: Your frame is NOT used to carying an extra 45lbs in gear. My doctor would say loosing 45lbs is a good start. You are going to want to be very concious of the weight of your gear. Being smaller means less surface area but that does not also imply less thickness especially for helms. That means you need to compensate in weight on other locations. Alluminum and Plastic are going to be your friends.

I'm not an expert on Polish culture but you might investigate what time periods they wore lamellar (I KNOW there are Polish examples) and then find if http://plasticlamellar.com/ or http://www.polarbearforge.com/ have the right shapes. Lamellar suits are the easiest to re-size, are a cheap (ish) DIY armor and if you decide you want to upgrade to an Anime or something else the plates can be unlaced and used as a smaller piece of armor on a larger fighter or mixed with more plates to make a larger suit.

Oh Yeah, Check out what the Polish team is wearing for "Battle of Nations" on Youtube. Inspiration on many many levels.

Luck!
Sean

If you are seeking help with getting your Hussair armour together, Earl Sir Edward has a nice kit for them.
You may want to consider light, plastic / hidden armour until you can assemble the rest of your kit.
I am down in Stromgard (Vancouver, WA). A bit of a drive, but have been known to help newbies get set up with kits.
Also - Two Ravens Armoury does nice custom helms for good prices. http://www.tworavensarmoury.com/

could always post a pic of your head just to show what type of helm would work best. or pics of helms you like; something along those lines.

I was going to say that I hope the style that lights your board is also one with enough armor to protect someone of your size. You need to consider how much damage you can take without quitting the game and pick armour that doesn't exceed that. But they I saw that you want hussar kit and that should work just fine - lots of nice plate.
And by the way, I think Smoking Rocks is a way cooler name than the place where I live: Heart of Boredom.