The Armour Archive

Anyone possibly point me to or have plans to construct a simple pair of "shovel" legs for SCA heavy combat? I'd probably be going with aluminum.
Thanks!

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In Honor and Service,
Lucien Ro / Scott

"Shovel"??????

Lucien...

Do you mean shovel greaves??

I have seen these made from hardened leather for SCA combat
The only issue is that when you are on your knees they can expose the top of the Knee which is a no-no, so check with your local marshalette before investing in them.

I used those type of greaves at one time many years past... I included a wingless knee cop attached to the cuisse which rode under the extended greave. It is a very simple arrangement and it works well, if not the most elegant set up.

Worn this way, when on your knees, the knee cop still protects... hence eliminating the problem of exposure. It is also easy to make for those not terribly skilled in armouring.

I really don't remember, is the extended greave applicable to any time or place historically? or just "early period generic"

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Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!) http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

I wear a pair of metal kneegreaves, with industrial knneguards under them. The kneeguards are 2 piece articulated (ball joint) plastic, and allow me not not have huge mucking greaves. The metal greaves are historically accurate for my period, as well as for even earlier Greek and Roman armor.

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Owen
"Death is but a doorway-
Here, let me hold that for you"

Shovel greaves sounds about right, sorry.

Sarnac, I believe you were from Trimaris once, no? Lord Yoan fights in them. In a conversation I heard that they were easier on the knees when getting legged, allowing you to drop easier, No tasteless jokes here please, folks.
If you're not familiar with Yoan, its simply on piece from the ankle to a bit above the knee. Very simplistic but as I have a bum right knee I thought anything might be able to help.

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In Honor and Service,
Lucien Ro / Scott

I lived in Trimaris for a while but I do not Know him
A couple of people up here wear them and have something similar to what was earlier discussed.

[This message has been edited by sarnac (edited 08-22-2001).]

Well, I have never made greaves like that, but on the "bum knee" subject, I have done something about those. I had knee surgery due to an injury sustained in SCA fighting (torn meniscus) and had to do something to prevent future problems before I could fight again.

Look at the Cynagua Marshallate homepage (accessible via West Kingdom Combat page) for Hillary of Serendip's leg harness that functions like an orthopedic knee brace. I did something very similar for mine. It works.

-Patrick