A&C Pembridge Helmet - Review

[william]

Hi all,

I just received my first helmet from Beathan - a Pembridge-style helmet for one of our new fighters. Let me share the experience:

Ordering
I've ordered two of these - one in mild and one in stainless. Measurements were provided following ToMAR with SCA regulation requirements added. Communication was smooth, payment for the product done by credit card.

Communication and tracking
Again, smooth. I had to ask for the invoice twice , but got fast replies on my messages. Almost all messages were done through the ArmourArchive PM system - the only email I got was the one with the payment link.

Delivery
Helmets were ordered on June 18th - so turnaround time is just a bit over a month including shipping (for the first helmet so far). I expected the two helmets to be shipped together. Today I got one. Well, PM to Beathan is on the way. It was shipped wrapped in plastic foil and in a sturdy cardbord box which was undamaged. Unfortunately, there was no accompanying information so I have to find out by try and error (and hopefully with help from the armourer) which of the two it is.

Product
Ok - this is a really nice helmet. It arrived brightly polished (and from the size I guess it is the mild steel one so I'm even happier) and has smooth, pretty lines. Two of the plate seams (upper side overlaps) are not completely flush - there's maybe a 3cm long and 1mm wide gap. But I consider that ok within this price range. The eye slots are quite small for SCA standard but enhance the period look. Rivets are tightly spaced and nicely done. Breathing holes are not too big but there are enough of them. Two cross-shaped holes in the front point add anice decorative touch. The helmet comes with a chin strap (which looks a bit short but I might be wrong) and a cloth liner, attached with speed rivets. The liner construction seems to be practical but I might have to add some padding to meet SCA regs.

All right, that was a first review - I'll keep you updated about the outstanding issues and will try to get some pictures up as well.

Cheers,
William

[william]

Hi all,

so, over a month later here's the promised update.

Helmet No. 1 was the stainless helmet. However, helmet No. 2 (arriving 5 weeks later) looks as pretty.

Both helmets fit well. With the mild steel one for my lady we have to play around a little bit with the liner arrangement. Well, I wanted to "upgrade" the installed one anyway to satisfy the marshal in me. So I detached Beathan's and my lady used it as pattern for her new one. Just as a sidenote: Beathan's Liner was stuffed with raw cotton - so there's no cheap materials where the average customer wouldn't look. The new liner was installed Tuesday and Kate faught in her new Pembridge yesterday. She was very pleased - the only thing needing improvement is the chinstrap. I had replaced the strap and buckle installed by Beathan with two d-rings for a "chin-cup with pulley" system (no clue how to call it - leather chin cup with a string coming from the ear, going back through the d-ring and then out through the front of the helm). It needs some more modification to be tight and comfy. Other than that we have this one done and ready to go!

The other helmet still sits around unused. but as it fits well as is I assume that with the same modifications to the chinstrap it will be ready in no time.

So, overall this was a good customer experience. All that remains is to pay the shipping invoice. So Beathan, if you read this let me know what I owe you!


Cheers,
William

*who currently has no newbie fighter w/o helmet - how boring!*

[Halberds]

Got any pics. We sure like pics don't ya know..

[william]

Hal,

it looks exactly like the one depictured on the A&C website. I could get a piccie of Kate's, but I cannot upload from my machine at work ...

Sorry!

But as I said, exactly like the one on the website ...


Will

[Halberds]

Can you give a link to the website.

I think the Pembridge is one of the finest great helms around.
It just looks so right.

Thanks