The Armour Archive

Im working in a set of gauntlets( my first progect) and need some advise.

How do you go about creasing the metal?
I have no problem fluting various parts, but all the samples that I have looked at have these neat, straight folds. When I make the bends I cant quite get that crisp line that I want. Any pointers on a way to do this?

John
Ottawa, On

I just lay a piece of metal over the edge of my anvil (railroad track) and beat it to a nice angle. Low tech, but it puts a very good crease in the steel.

What patterns are you using for your gauntlets? I have used 3 different patterns and none of them required creasing the metal or fluting it. Just curious about what you are making.

-Patrick

Im using Master Cad's hourglass pattern.

I think a "crease" may have been to strong of a word. More of a slight, well defined bend. However what you described is basiclly what I have been doing. Its sort of working, but the results are quite what I want. I guess I just have to keep working it and perfect the process.

Thanks.

Any other pointers would be welcome...

Are you talking about the space between the back of your hand and the thumb?
"Slight well defined bend" sounds like you mean that embossed area. You need a creasing stake,hammer control,good lighting and practice.I still haven't achieved any kind of consistancy.
I use a piece of 5/8" square stock,one end cut at a slight angle and polished,clamped upright in my vice.
Draw a line where you want the embossed edge,place piece so the upper edge of the stake is under the line and the edge of the piece is on top of the stake,even hammer strokes,moving the piece so the drawn line is always along the edge of the stake.Finding and keeping the correct angle of the piece to the stake is the hardest part for me.Don't watch the hammer watch where it hits the metal(lots of light),tracking the hammer marks so you make a even line.
By no means am I qualified to be explaining this, this is how I do it,based on what I read in Brian Prices book.
Hope this helps.