The Armour Archive

We now have the following videos from the March 2004 Armour Guild session available online:

Basic Fluting (Online Version) - presented by Aaron Toman

This is an excellent video with instruction on how to set and dress flutes using a hammer and fluting/creasing stake.

Hot Raising a Greave (Online Version) - presented by Aaron Toman

This video does an excellent job demonstrating the steps necessary to get the basic shape of a greave by hot raising.
The techniques demonstrated can easily be applied to the shaping of just about anything requiring compound shapes.

Hot Raising an Hourglass Gauntlet (DVD Only - 50 minutes!) - Presented by Aaron Toman and Chuck Davis

The following subjects, above and beyond the actual raising of the gaunt are covered:
- Proper torch setting w/ rosebud tip
- Raising hammers
- Hammering technique and tips
- As well as much, much more....

This gauntlet video alone contains over 50 minutes of succulent armour raising goodness! Gauranteed to make your mouth water.

What?! You missed the April 2004 MAG Session? You cand order the video and get ALL THREE VIDEOS for one low price of $20.00! This is your chance to be there... right at home... while we show you the basics necessary to make make perfect fluting, raise the basic shape for a greave AND shape an hourglass gauntlet by using the much desired technique of raising!. This video plays beautifully on your television in full digital quality!

Get yours today! US residents can order by Paypal (donations@paypal.com - 2004 MAG Video) or you can send Check or Money Order for $20.00 to:

Midwest Armour Guild
ATTN: 2004 Video Order
4905 West Bromley Drive
McHenry, IL 60050

Please contact brian@armourguild.org if you are interested in ordering a copy from overseas.

*All procedes go to support the Midwest Armour Guild

is that $20 per video or $20 for all three?

$20 for all three on a single DVD. The proceeds go to support the next guild session and the web hosting.

Cet wrote:is that $20 per video or $20 for all three?

Hey, Cet. haven't seen you in years. I think the last time was at Gulf Wars a few years back when you came down with Ivar. How have you been? Still running Rough from the Hammer?

I will clarify the page later today. The videos are full digital quality and demonstrate the techniques quite well, I think.

My opinion is that with some editing we could sell these for MUCH more. Given that there are a few videos on armouring out there for ~$100.00. However, this is a not-for-profit situation and we are focussed on getting information out to people, not making a profit.

However, the more of these we sell, the more we can make (as well as produce other forms of information).

I miss all of you guys.

Believe me, I was at this get-together, and the talks and demos there were wonderful. Next time we get together, I'll try to make it down and we can save some shipping, eh?

HI Brian,

Thanks for the info. I ordered the dvd's today.

Yup, I'm still running RFH and doing custom stuff as well, mostly in mild and spring 1350 to 1420 or so.

Cet wrote:HI Brian,

Thanks for the info. I ordered the dvd's today.

Yup, I'm still running RFH and doing custom stuff as well, mostly in mild and spring 1350 to 1420 or so.

Order received. I will get it out to you ASAP!

Thanks for the link to your web site. Are you going to have a forum also?
How many armourers are in the Guild? I am surprised that you call it a guild.
It reminds me of the strict hierarchy and limited commerce of the middle ages.
Best of luck on your videos, I did see the one on fluting, thanks for posting it.

Hal

Halberds wrote:Are you going to have a forum also?

Not planned at the moment. If we do, I think that it would be primarily for group happenings. There are more than enough Forums at present:

Archive
Arador
MyArmoury
Sword Forum

I think it would add to the confusion. I know that I currently get dizzy simply thinking about catching up on all the posts on all the different boards.

However, I would not rule it out as a future enhancement. Especially if seen as beneficial and requested by others.

How many armourers are in the Guild?

The first meeting that we had pulled in ~55 people! The second, hands-on session, pulled in 36, I believe.

We have not settled membership requirements or if there will actually be any formal criteria. Unfortunately, after the first one I made a rush move into a new home and misplaced the roster! Therefore, it is difficult to tell how many members we currently maintain. I do know that almost everyone at the second session was originally at the first one last fall.

There are a few core/founding members:

IL:

Doug Strong
Brian W. Rainey
Tom Hornor

WI:

Aaron Toman
Rob Alsten
Randal Mermuys

MN:

Chuck Davis

These folks were instrumental in getting this beast off the ground. I, personally, cannot thank them enough!

One thing that I personally would like to see is for this to keep growing. There have been numerous idividual groups that have existed from time to time in the local area. SCA, LARP, Living History, blacksmithing, etc, have all touched on armour. Hopefully, by taking out the specific group requirements and focusing on something that will assist any group (armour research) we will be able to keep this moving on, at the very least, an annual basis.

I am surprised that you call it a guild.
It reminds me of the strict hierarchy and limited commerce of the middle ages.

Yeah, I was not fond of that particular one. Other names that were brought up are:

Midwest Armour Research Group
Armour Research Group
Historical Armour Research Group
Armour Guild

Somewhere along the lines the term Armour Guild just became prevalent. There may be a ranking structure, possibly designed around efforts/research supporting the group and spreading of knowledge, in the future. This is not a topic that has been discussed in great detail, or at all for that matter outside of fleeting ideas.

Best of luck on your videos, I did see the one on fluting, thanks for posting it.

Thank you! We are happy to be able to provide assistance to the armouring community. That is our goal and is os good that we are already striving towards it.

Initial discussion have occured with some folks affiliated with Centaur Forge and the Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association on combining some efforts. While this was a table discussion, I can see benefit in this for both groups. Perhaps that is a way that we can continue to grow.

Also, interest outside of the Midwest is truly appreciate and welcome. Unfortunately, the nature of the hobby makes distance learning (outside of academics) difficult. But, we are more than happy to help others out in any way possible.