The Armour Archive

I have a source for stingray hides and was looking to see if there was a interest. Last batch I had Master Julien from Malagentia bought all of them, or I should say traded for a complete shield I had wanted. Let me know what yall think and once I finish my move I will get prices and colors, etc.

Ragnar

I'd imagine people with Japanese personas like Effingham and Nissan Maxima may consider using them as Same for grips, but I am not sure they use nihon-to style weapons....



Rowan of Needwood

Ld Ragnar MacHardy wrote:I have a source for stingray hides and was looking to see if there was a interest. Last batch I had Master Julien from Malagentia bought all of them, or I should say traded for a complete shield I had wanted. Let me know what yall think and once I finish my move I will get prices and colors, etc.

Ragnar

That much is sure, they do make for nice grips and the pearling affect that you get on some of the pieces just makes them that much nicer to have. Of course they can be used for other things besides just weapons.

Ragnar

I can't remember.. is stingray one of the ones that can be used as a very fine abrasive/sandpaper?

I know dogfish was mentioned as a medieval sandpaper.. and rottenstone, or some combination of the two, but I'm not sure if stingray was ever mentioned.

(would figure though, that if they knew to use the rough skin of one swimmer, then any other they came across could have been pressed into service, if useable)

I was just thinking the same thing (about sandpaper) then I read your post. How weird!

I don't know about stingrays, but I think I remember something about shark skin being used. I've held a shark before, and they do have rough skin, but it's only rough in one direction. If it was used, I would guess it was probably used like a file.

Cat

Cat wrote:I was just thinking the same thing (about sandpaper) then I read your post. How weird!

I don't know about stingrays, but I think I remember something about shark skin being used. I've held a shark before, and they do have rough skin, but it's only rough in one direction. If it was used, I would guess it was probably used like a file.

Cat

Well, it was probably used more as a polishing method than a stock removal method in any event (rotten stone is something you use to put a high gloss on a shellac or laquered surface, before using a thin wax coat to really bring up the shine).

Medieval woodworking techniques and sensibilities left wood very smooth, but probably somewhat rough to what we consider "finished" today. But that was good enough.. most of their things were service pieces, to be used and cherished, rather than put in the corner and looked at adoringly and dusted once a month.

Rays and sharks are in the same family, with very similar skins.

While I don't have any sort of reference for the use of either in medieval leatherworking, I can attest that stingray is currently a pretty hot exotic leather. It's being used for accents in all kinds of stuff, and presents its own special set of challenges to the leatherworker because of its hard and abrasive surface texture.

Depending on the price point, I am interested in these. Might not make much for the historic markets, but I can imagine some other opportunities.

Gavin,

As soon as I get back and get to go over to them I will see what the current going price is for me and PM you to give you a good deal being my squire brother.

Ragnar

I might be interested as well depending on the price.

Castus

Kilkenny wrote:Depending on the price point, I am interested in these.

As am I.

It will take me probably till the end of the month to be able to get the prices to yall that are interested. Maybe by Birka for those who will be there.

Ragnar

Milord Ragnar, please put me on the list of interested parties. I've used stingray in the past and am currently down to my last hide, so would be looking for more.


Frederich

Got yah Frederich
Ragnar

Interested, for sure.

Got yah on the list. I may have to buy out his whole stock at this rate lol.

Ragnar

If you can get dried/cured, but un-tanned I'd be interested in quite a few for some period knife/sword handles.

I am not sure on that, but I will check it out. Also, it is going not happen before Birka by the looks of it. I did not find out till today that the IRS actually will not accept any returns till the 11th. So I rushed to get filed by the 4th for nothing. I just hope they are quick about it and get me my money by the 19th.

Ragnar

Ok,

I may be interested on one for a sword, if I can bum a Yoroi for the Japanese battle at Penssic 2008....


Rowan

Bump

I'd be interested as well, depending on size and price.

ok, Rowan and Dierick. I have added you to the list. Dierick, what size are you looking for? Most are about a foot wide by maybe a foot, foot and a half long. I will have to get an exact measurement once I get back there and go see the stock.

Ragnar

ok, Rowan and Dierick. I have added you to the list. Dierick, what size are you looking for? Most are about a foot wide by maybe a foot, foot and a half long. I will have to get an exact measurement once I get back there and go see the stock.

Ragnar

I'd most definitely be interested as well. Just PM me with price/selection etc.
Thanks,
Grant

ok Grant, got you on the list.

Ragnar

Very interested. Size? Price? When? Dyed?

Robert,

I will put you on the list. I will have size, price and if dyed once I cn get to them. Hopefully by the end of the month. Depends on the IRS

Ragnar

Put me on the list of possible buyers, depending on price that is...

Chuck

Gotcha Chuck

Ragnar

bump

First, I might be interested in a hide or two depending on the price. I'm assuming thee are the stingrays from thailand that are popular right now with the pearly looking round protrusions. I'd love to find some documentation for their use in Europe in period--they had the trade routes...

As to use as sandpaper, no way for this type stingray. The boney appendages are large, round and smooth. Wouldn't sand anything.

Shark is and was used as a very high quality sandpaper mostly for final finish. The very fine boney appendages protrude a bit more when the hide is cured and shrinks so it's rougher than on a live shark. The Mythbusters tried to bust the "myth" of shark as sandpaper and ended up being convinced it might be better than modern alternatives. I think it's in the ballpark of 300 grit.

Gaston,

I have you on the list. Will let you know once I get back home and get over to the supplier.

In regard to use as sandpaper, Gaston is right, the pearling is too big to actually try to use as sandpaper. If there is enough interest I may be able to get shark hides, but not sure.

Ragnar

Ok everyone. I made it back to Stonemarche and managed to get over to my supplier after having to find a way there as my car blew up. I have a list of colors available and also for that one person I have just straight rawhide stingray, non dyed etc. I will make a total list of sizes and cost soon. I did notice that the price has gone up which stinks but they come from overseas and the value of the dollar has dropped, so I will modify my markup for archive members as I cannot see slling them at a regular markup.

Ragnar

ok, here is the information you all asked for. First the color options.

I have hides available in:

Undyed rawhide
Peanut
Burgundy
Green
Red
Orange
New Sport (darker than Peanut but lighter than burgundy)
Powder Blue
Purple
Black
Navy
Yellow

Multi-spine colors:

Teal
Black Green
Burgundy
Buttercup
Turquoise
Pink

That covers the colors, now the pricing is as follows and has been modified because of the value of the dollar has gone down overseas so it costs me more to get them.

10-12" $50
13" $55
14" $57
15" $59
16" $61
17" $63
18" $65

The measurement is the middle of the hide as measured in length as most people are interested in just the center where the pearling take affect. The 18" hides are like a good 14" wide.

All prices do not include shipping and I can ship any way you would like. The hardest ones to ship would be the undyed rawhide as they are very stiff unlike the dyed ones. Bulk orders would get some kind of discount. Gavin, I will pm you on this.

Ragnar

bump

Pictures would be awesome. Either way, I'll PM you with an order in a couple of weeks or so.