The Armour Archive

Kilkenny

ONe particular camp is screaming "ABDICATE!" and being pretty loud about it. I don't know that this is an accurate representation of facts. For starters, His Grace Lucan posted that and is speaking for himself... not a "camp." His Grace also has the perspective of having abdicated a victory in a pa...

Kilkenny

So much of fighting is about observation and exploitation. Observe the opponent's tendencies, then exploit them. If there is a pattern, it allows you to be a step or two ahead of the game. For example, if an opponent predictably shoves you away when you get close, there is a window of opportunity to...

Kilkenny

58, approaching 59. I've been off the field for a few years now due to a neck condition (don't think I can call it an injury per se, it may well be a genetic issue, considering family history). I am not ready to be done fighting and it bugs me. Other than my neck, I am in some of the best condition ...

Kilkenny

So much of this is "it depends". It depends on your leather, it depends on your hardening technique, it depends on how your leather came out. After hardening, I drill holes rather than punching them, because punching can crack the leather. I try to do my cutting before hardening, because with succes...

Kilkenny

If you don't think its worth it to spend your money on helping him, don't spend it. Its that simple. No need to rag on someone reaching out for help to avoid paralysis. That would be it. You don't want to support the man, or the request, don't. You want to step up and oppose his efforts (or more ac...

Kilkenny

You want to really attract archers? Wear the King's Surcoat - any kingdom, won't matter

But yeah, you look sharp and give orders that people listen to, someone Will sick the archers on ya.

Kilkenny

If it were my harness, the first thing I would try is just wetting, not soaking, a dip under the faucet will do, and then baking. If that did not work, my next choice would be to soak it in acrylic floor polish. I buy it by the gallon at big box or janitor supply stores. I prefer the Johnson's heavy...

Kilkenny

I am the fellow who first put the gorget requirement on the books in the SCA. I did not write the rule to permit an aventail, padded or otherwise, to serve in place of the gorget. I have had tip shots put a crease in my gorget. I have been very nearly lifted off the ground by a spear thrust to the t...

Kilkenny

I've been pissed, but at myself - not really anyone else. Because I couldn't understand what I was being taught. I wonder if that is the same thing as fighting when you are angry. I just took to to mean angry at someone else. Frustration and anger are not the same things. However, loss of control i...

Kilkenny

I had many years of good success. I learned quickly and rose fast. One specific area of weakness was when I got put on my heels - moving backward off balance. Few people figured out how to get me to that condition, as opposed to chasing me as I ran backward well balanced (which was a trap). I lost t...

Kilkenny

Extremely good hand protection. Cannot emphasize it enough. Other than that, it's a game for people with quick reflexes and fast hands, who like to be in close. I would keep the point down, thrusts in that manner are more forceful. I have done it, but found that two long swords were a much better ch...

Kilkenny

I have a rule about not fighting angry, completely aside from the rules of the list. I normally hit plenty hard, when having fun and enjoying playing with my friends. When I get angry, I don't hit hard, I wreck things. So I don't go on the field in that state, and, if I feel myself heading that dire...

Kilkenny

There have also been some few bifurcated mittens made, where the fingers are paired in their own little shelters. I have never tried them and do not know whether it is a combination of the best, or the worst, of both worlds. Just thought it might be worth adding to the mix. Oak Armoury, I believe, h...

Kilkenny

A couple of thoughts. One, I would not do the pyramids on the striking faces. To me they would be hokey. A face on the face? Sure, but go with Odin one-eye or Thor (Thor fits better with the Fenris theme). Definitely runes inlaid. Make the pommel a stylized raven's head and you pull in another piece...

Kilkenny

Stefan - it has to do with balance and involving more activity of small muscle groups in controlling the object. Standard dumbells are nicely balanced, kettlebells not so much. I used to work adjustable dumbells with all the weight on one end. A bag of sand might be even better for involving the ext...

Kilkenny

When you can close your hand with enough force that that is all it takes to swing your sword in a telling blow, you win a very high percentage of your fights. I have a very, very strong grip. I've closed the COC 2.5 and can lever a 12 #sledge. I don't think I have an overly powerful shot. Maybe I'm...

Kilkenny

Fabrise? Joking? Please say you were joking... Not joking, Fabreze in a helm is TOXIC. Been there, done that, puked on the ground from it. DO NOT Fabreze your helmet liner! Vinegar works pretty well on molds. Leather that has been attacked by mold or mildew will tend to be dried out and more brittl...

Kilkenny

More like a carcass than a petard. The aft-facing fire port would tend to make the cat run forward of it's own volition. One of the stories of Harald Hardrada has him setting fire to a Sicilian town using pigeons with flammables tied to their tales, and I think the tactic was also (supposedly) in u...

Kilkenny

One more thing, brought up by Scott's comment. Watch everybody fight. Watch Any fight. The more you watch, the more you begin to recognize what people are doing, both right and wrong. You start picking up on tells that you would probably miss if you were in the fight - and recognizing them from the ...

Kilkenny

Seems the bigger issue might be the BoD overturning a ruling be the SEM, one that apparently had support of the Crown involved. The BoD could just as easily declare fiberglass spears forbidden, banish face thrusts, or any rule of the lists. Why, yes, yes they could. They are, after all, the actual ...

Kilkenny

I think we are looking at petards, not rockets, and fanciful means of delivering them upon an enemy.

Kilkenny

There are different things that work for different people - and so it's worth noting that things that make great fighters are not always going to work for everybody. As noted, you can't learn to be 6'9". Likewise, you can't learn to be 5'2". Duke Paul of Belatrix is probably the single person who ha...

Kilkenny

Pretty much what they said. Buff and buff, then buff, then buff some more, then when you are done buffing, buff again. Oxblood is particularly aggregious in this regard, but all leather dyes are going to bleed to some degree and transfer onto clothing. You can try something like acrylic Resolene to ...

Kilkenny

I really don't know why anybody is going for cuir-bouilli weight leather. That 12 oz stuff is mighty heavy, like strap weight and for very big straps. 6 oz, tops, for covered armor use, and 4 oz may be better. Doesn't have to be grain leather either. Suede can work. While I agree on the thickness/w...

Kilkenny

Endurance is the usual weak point of SCA fighters, and weekend warriors in general. Core strength is more important for what we do than arm strength. Grip strength is a bigger deal than 99% of people recognize. Tabatta intervals for endurance. Everything you can stand that works your core. Grip exer...

Kilkenny

Thoughts: Spring steel helm, yes. Lightweight helm, No. Mass is a major part of the protection a helm provides. folding flat - why? unnecessary, even counterproductive, if you think about things nesting together. Trailer could be designed such that the globose breastplate was actually the top of the...

Kilkenny

I have to ask. There is a lot of talk of sewing machines, industrial and throwaways etc. Can you not do it by hand? Waxed linnen, a needle, and possibly even an awning for those extra thick layers of canvas. Sure, it's bulky and big but shouldn't it be very, very doable to do, say, a Wedge Tent in ...

Kilkenny

Having just gotten my own two sticks, I am curious, is there a way to turn these sluggish, imbalanced things into the dried out, featherweight weapons of Nukedukes? Other than forgetting one in a garage for 5+ years. Or is it even desirable? I can see the point of building strength by practicing wi...

Kilkenny

Have never used a shield basket. Usually a hockey or lacrosse glove, sometimes a home made padded leather glove. I've never been much concerned about a shot getting around the shield and hitting my hand in a damaging way, and I like being able to use my fingers against the other fellow's shield on s...

Kilkenny

I am - seriously - extremely curious as to where anyone has found records fo gladiator's techniques. If they aren't based on some historic documents for training gladiators, but on presumptions (which not having to block their head because they had helmets sure sounds like), then I would be inclined...

Kilkenny

Tally, where was that practice held? Just curious, as I spent about 7 years in the Rose Tree Media school district growing up. Florentine - Range, timing, balance (in the sense of using both hands for both offense and defense), accuracy and what I call "closing the door". "Closing the door" relates ...

Kilkenny

Look up Chris Schwartz Anarchists Tool Chest . I don't recall off hand just how deep he gets into the history, but I am pretty sure he has some. Plus some good arguments for why one may want a chest for tools, even in a perfectly good shop space and a pretty cool design for a tool chest. I know Chri...

Kilkenny

Ckanite wrote:
PartsAndTechnical wrote:
Ckanite wrote:"Cut your own wood, it warms you twice"
Well spoke. Who said that?
It's a paraphrase of Lincoln I believe... I can't remember it exactly but it's something that is always true!!

I have heard it attributed to Henry Ford.

Kilkenny

So, the maker won't be able to answer the questions, as he made it mirror polished stainless and the color was an after market add on.

Looks like a case of experimenting with some of the usual suspects to determine what the coatings are and how they will come off.

Kilkenny

Why not just require them to be remade before every war? I think that falls under the maintain your gear part of the current plan. The spearman is a well experienced fighter, not some new guy. If he can have a messed up spear and not know it, what condition gear do you think the mid/low experienced...

Re: East Kingdom Fall Crown Tournament

Re: Frustrated with fighting

Re: Fighting after Fifty

Re: Testing Water Hardening Pieces

Re: We need to help Sir Brand, aka Jeff Galli, not be paraly

Re: My lessons on the SCA battlefield.

Re: Re-hardening cuir bouilli leather?

Re: Of Gorgets and Aventails, a question if you will.

Re: Fighting someone you do not like

Re: If folks wouldn't mind providing some feedback...

Re: SCA dagger thoughts. videos/pictures?

Re: Fighting someone you do not like

Re: opinions on finger gauntlets for combat.

Re: Help with a design

Re: Weight Training for SCA fighting

Re: Weight Training for SCA fighting

Re: Mold in sallet liner and straps - cleaning methods? Stin

Re: 16th C. rocket cats?

Re: Who are The Greats?

Re: Tuchux banned from Pennsic?

Re: 16th C. rocket cats?

Re: Who are The Greats?

Re: Leather Dying Question...

Re: How thick?

Re: Weight Training for SCA fighting

Re: Need Advice for Starting Over Fighting SCA Melee

Re: Not exactly armor but .... Period tents

Re: Is there a way to "dry out" your rattan quicker?

Re: SCA: Non-center grip shields

Re: Gladiator style fighting

Re: Vids from last night's fighter practice.

Re: Tools and toolchests

Re: when Im not an armourer....Im a joiner/border/turner

Re: Can anyone identify the maker of this sca helmet?

Re: 2" Mandrake tips suck and you all know it