Historical Forgerie Review
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2001 7:11 pm
Today I received a Trefoil buckle, chape and 20 eyelet mounts from Tim Finkas. The items were in stock and delivered promptly. Interestingly they came with detailed instructions for assembly, with a professional look.
As you probably know, I do a little brass casting myself, using Delft Clay, the molds pressed in by hand. Le Brassy apparently uses a vacuum-form arrangement, possibly lost wax? I leave that to him to describe. The biggest difference is in price. My way is time-consuming, and it would be extremely difficult for me to produce twenty of anything, much less pieces this small.
From the colour, I'd say these are a fairly high zinc content, "yellow brass". The detail on the eyelets is better than what I could produce. The detail on the buckle and chape are about where I am now. It would be difficult for me to polish anything as small as the eyelets, the chape & buckle being within the "do-able" range. I am assuming he uses some form of tumbler rather than a wheel. The tongue is cast, and not only fits, but swivels easily. My tongues are hammered brazing wire, and usually swivel.(Not always.) The buckle is a heavy, substantial piece of hardware, though it might not withstand repeated SCA blows.
What do I think of it? Absolutely splendid! After I lay out the belt and determine the exact number I need, I'm going to order more of the eyelets to put on the strap connecting my frog-faced grand bascinet to the breastplate & backplate. Probably three for each of the straps. The belt is going to hold my del Tin spadone.
Excellent work, le Brassy!!!
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Virtus vincit invidiam
"Virtue overcometh envy"
As you probably know, I do a little brass casting myself, using Delft Clay, the molds pressed in by hand. Le Brassy apparently uses a vacuum-form arrangement, possibly lost wax? I leave that to him to describe. The biggest difference is in price. My way is time-consuming, and it would be extremely difficult for me to produce twenty of anything, much less pieces this small.
From the colour, I'd say these are a fairly high zinc content, "yellow brass". The detail on the eyelets is better than what I could produce. The detail on the buckle and chape are about where I am now. It would be difficult for me to polish anything as small as the eyelets, the chape & buckle being within the "do-able" range. I am assuming he uses some form of tumbler rather than a wheel. The tongue is cast, and not only fits, but swivels easily. My tongues are hammered brazing wire, and usually swivel.(Not always.) The buckle is a heavy, substantial piece of hardware, though it might not withstand repeated SCA blows.
What do I think of it? Absolutely splendid! After I lay out the belt and determine the exact number I need, I'm going to order more of the eyelets to put on the strap connecting my frog-faced grand bascinet to the breastplate & backplate. Probably three for each of the straps. The belt is going to hold my del Tin spadone.
Excellent work, le Brassy!!!
------------------
Virtus vincit invidiam
"Virtue overcometh envy"