Armour for fatboy

[Hugo de Stonham]

I was thinking of putting together a suit of armour for the sca and was wondering what kind of armour is better suited for a fatboy like my self. I have a chainmalle shirt at the moment and would like to use it as part of the suit. I don't have a paticulat time frame in mind so almost anything would work.

Grendal

[Russ Mitchell]

Given that you don't know what kind of portrayal you'd like to engage in, the fact that you're fat isn't in itself a big problem except insofar as right now you probably don't want to drop a lot of cash -- because what you'd like to portray will certainly change.

At least you admit to being fat. I've had commissions from a couple guys who described themselves as average, and when I got their measurements, they were my height and twice my waist.

That honesty, besides getting you a lot of respect, will help folks give you a much better answer. So here are two serious question:

SQ1: do you intend to change that fact? It makes a difference, because, if so, you want something that can be resized along with you without much work. If not, then this is a non-issue.

SQ2: Are you fat, obese, or morbidly obese? If you are the latter two, then I would strongly advise against leather as an addition to the mail, because the cost to obtain coverage will greatly jack your price. I've got a huge bud moving to Ansteorra from the Outlands who would cost me an easy 150 in leather alone just for coverage.

My preliminary honest advice is to do a serious forum search, and a lot of it, until you find a look you generally like. Otherwise, if you need to get into something quick so that you can play, I'd look into loaner armor and Coats-of-Plate or an armored surcoat, both of which can be made either very fancy, or seriously on the cheap, for what is probably going to be a preliminary harness for you.

[Hugo de Stonham]

To answer the first question, No, I have givin it a shot a few times to change it but I lack total modivation to stay the course ( don't like giving up my foods).

Second, I'm 5'6" and 267lbs My waistline is a 42 but my belly is 51". So I would say fat. And to once thing I was a 32 untill I got married and quit smoking.

At this time I'm just looking for something on the cheap. A coat of plates is possible. I'm just wanting to hear some Ideas. Where In Anstorria Is your frend Moving? I'm located about 5 minuets south of ft. worth.

Grendal.

[Aonghus]

Grendal,

You could try something expandable like lamellar. Lamellar over mail is period for many 12th -13th century types. With the lamellar you could add or subtract plates as needed without too much trouble, so that whatever size you are or become, you could change the cuirass to match.

Try White Mountain Armoury for some NICE metal plates and Torvaldr's Leather for plates in hardened leather.

If you'd rather go with something a bit lighter and TOTALLY non-period you could also try Brother Guido Plastic Lamellar.

All these have there plusses and minuses, but lamellar might be the way to go.

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[Dave Womble]

Damn! I thought I was the only 5'6" 265 lb-ish dude around. Nice to know I'm not alone. I've got a 52" chest, but my guts about 56-58.

I'll second the lamellar advice. Lamellar is very forgiving on many body types. You can add or subtract individual lamellae when and where needed, plus it meets the SCA's rigid protection doesn't it?

Mail for us fat guys SUCKS. We cant afford the coverage for riveted, so we settle for the 14 or 16 gauge butted, and thats a LOT of extra weight on our already pummled feet and knees. My hauberk weighed in at 48 lbs.

If you're shooting for a later period, segmented Churburg breastplates also work well..as do globose breast plates. I have a 9 piece segmented breast plate thats decent. Add spaulders, a simple gorget, splinted arms and legs, knees you're good to go.

Dave

[Hugo de Stonham]

Ok, lamillar it is and I do like the look of splinted arms and legs, and a greathem wouldn't look bad with it either. Thanks for all the advice.

Grendal

Hey Dave, do you have a picture of your armour?

[Dave Womble]

I dont have any of me in my whole harness, but you can see pics of me building the breastplate here:

http://www.selohaar.org/phoenixforge/im ... ering2003/

I'm the fat bald guy in the red sleeveless shirt

Dave

[Russ Mitchell]

Grendal, check your pm. I made you up an estimate of how much time/ how many plates you'll need.