The Armour Archive

Well folks as I metamorphed myself right back to the warrior class that first got me interested in the SCA, I found myself in dire need of a Kabuto with no leads on an armorer. At the time Mykaru wasn't doing SCA ones, Clang didn't have a spot for one and I missed an ebay auction for one by Sir Okami. In retrospect, I am glad I missed out.
I have had a lot of communication with Shamrock Armory lately. Jackie, the owner/armourer has spent a great deal of time talking with me about armor, sca and life in general. I remembered during one of our conversations that he mentioned that he would like to build a Kabuto. I called him, sent him some pics for reference and had a price and time frame worked out in two days. The price was very competitive, the time frame was 8 weeks ( unheard of) and the communication was excellent.
I asked for a Kabuto with an interchangeable face grill/ mempo, or full face. Jackie built the helms Hanbo ( place that fits against the jaw and cheek) to accept either the mempo or the face cage. He put detailed "eyebrows " in the mazibashi, or visor, as well as a post for attaching a crest. The overall shape of the Zunari top is excellent. It is built a little higher in the back, and follows historic examples. The shikoro sits close to the helmet, but still adds enough flair to avoid the "converted bascinet" look. He also got the lacing right , no Xs and = RR tracks.
I ordered the helm on 5/9/08 and got it on 7/10/08. That is pretty dam unbelievable for this type of armor. Along the way, I recieved about a dozen e-mails and several progress pictures. Guys if you want custom armor, and you want a stand up businessman, go to Shamrock. He is 1st class. I will commission him for any armor needs in the future. Now, on to the pics....
http://www.shamrockarmoury.com/

More....

Very nice, and will agree on Shamrocks work. My next early period helm will be done by him, whenever I decide on a new one.

More..

Wow, can you PM me how much you paid for that?

.....

Wow, I already have received price inquiries. To be fair to Shamrock, send him a PM or email, he likes to work everything out individually.

The Fu Manchu was complimentary...

May I ask: how does the faceplate attach/interchange?

I new I forgot something. The grill/mempo each have a lip that fit behind the hanbo, they are then attached at the two upper corners via an allen head screw.

Yojimbo:

Glad to hear continuing confirmation of Jackie's excellence in service, quality, and skill as I recently affirmed in my review.

Your helm looks fantastic, and I'm glad your experience with Shamrock was as wonderful as my own.

May you wear it in great health, and may it strike fear and dread in your opponents!

Max Von Halstern

Critique: Bowl A, good shape and execution. Mabizashi B, Not quite there but in the ballpark. Lacing B, a step above 90% of what you see. Shikoro C-, no real shape and it takes away from what is otherwise a good hat. Overall B-.

Note: these are my observations based on these pics. The scale could move up or down if I handled the piece. 2 months is a good delivery time as well. The main point is have fun on the field with it.

Yojimbo

Thank you for the fantastic review
I really did enjoy building this helm.

Mykaru wrote:Critique: Bowl A, good shape and execution. Mabizashi B, Not quite there but in the ballpark. Lacing B, a step above 90% of what you see. Shikoro C-, no real shape and it takes away from what is otherwise a good hat. Overall B-.

Note: these are my observations based on these pics. The scale could move up or down if I handled the piece. 2 months is a good delivery time as well. The main point is have fun on the field with it.

Thank you for your observations I take this as a complement coming from you.

I would pretty much echo Mykaru's assessment. The shikoro is the part that makes me go "so close. Damn."

I'm a bit weirded out by the men being so far forward. I know what you were going for, but I'm not sure if trading for half of the aesthetic (the men) at the expense of the other half (the face is WAY too far forward) is an even trade.

Nice workmanship. It's a pretty good hat as SCA kabuto go.


Effingham

Mykaru, just so I will know, what else should have been done to the mazibashi and shikoro ? I am sure the particulars could be carried out if I would have specified ....probably my fault more than Shamrock's.

I can't wait to hear the experts chime in and either affirm or correct me, but what I see lacking from the shikoro is a flare outward. They should present as a flared conical shape away from the head, not as overlapping bands that just go straight down. Fortunately, these would be the easiest parts of the helm to replace. I think the correct shape before hammering a curve into them would be a crescent shape.

For SCA purposes, the sides and back of the head need to have rigid protection, so there's a break with accuracy to finish the shape of the helm against the head, but take a look at the flared shape of the shikoro on these...

[img]http://www.japanesearmor.com/kawari_kabuto_nanban/kawari_kabuto_6.jpg[/img]

Jose, I have seen that type of flair on period examples. I requested that Shamrock build it like the ones in these pics. I wanted the shikor to sit close to the helm so it would'nt get beat to death. ( thanks to Darkheart armory, I hope you don't mind me using the pics)

Funny! When I opened this thread, I thought "wow, that looks like my old helmet". I do like the removable faceplate, that's a nice addition.

Yojimbo wrote:Jose, I have seen that type of flair on period examples. I requested that Shamrock build it like the ones in these pics. I wanted the shikor to sit close to the helm so it would'nt get beat to death. ( thanks to Darkheart armory, I hope you don't mind me using the pics)

I think the issue is that, where ever possible, look to *originals* for hints and inspirations, not to modern SCA pieces. It's one thing to be "one step away" in design from an original, but if you are getting the idea from something that itself is already one step (or more) removed from the original, you are getting further away from the design ideal.

Again, though, it's a really nice hat. The above was more cautionary for future consideration than anything else.


Effingham