The Armour Archive

Hello, I am very new to the art of armor making and was wondering what design you would reccomend first. I'd prefer to make something along the lines of a suit eventually but I have also considered making chain mail first. Descions, descions, What do you have to say?
Thanks for input...Silverjump

starting off with chain maille is a good thing to do, and when you get to plate, start by making a pair of spaulders (there's a great tutorial on them on arador.com)

Archie Zietman wrote:starting off with chain maille is a good thing to do, and when you get to plate, start by making a pair of spaulders (there's a great tutorial on them on arador.com)

I am not sure why people suggest this. There really is no relation to making mail and plate. Two entirely different skill sets.

Do what you want to do. If mail is your interest, then go for it. If your into plate.. then I suggest starting there.

Brian, maybe because maille is a good tool to develop patience. Somethng you will surely need doing plate. Also, you can get faster results with minimum investment.

Pad

silverjump....

Come to the MAG session on Saturday the 29th.... ALL of your questions and armouring dreams will be answered by some of the best in the business.

http://www.armourguild.org/magreg.html

http://www.armourguild.org/MAG2005.pdf

I see chain in the light of 'minimum investment' but it really has little to nothing in common with plate...and its NOT better time-wise.
When I started working with my master, I made chain for him.
I made a hauberk, butted...and he made a full suit of Gothic plate in the same time period.

If you want something specific, go for it... if you want something generically 'armor' then chain is fine, or if you want chain specifically, go for it.

Another thought might be that some plate armorers would love to have someone making chain for them.... if you find one willing to let you come around and maybe even take lessons/use tools in exchange for chain, then that could make a good 'in'.

If I may interject, I think the cart is in front of the horse...

Silverjump:

What period of history are you interested in? If it's early medieval, then it's mail. If it's late, then it's plate. If it's all periods, everywhere, then it's everything.

My friends and I specialize in the early medieval period. Outside of making a helm and a byrnie, I don't have to worry about spaulders or anything else. (Besides, plate armor is downright counter-productive if you fall off our ship. Mail is hard enough to swim in! ) My friend, Barchan, is an active jouster. Plate armor is what keeps him together (mostly).

If you fight in Scadia, whatever armor best fits your persona and meets the safety standards is what you should aim at.

Some people learn to do it all, and do it beautifully. Some of us must specialize just to achieve competence. (As an armorer, I'm a pretty good blacksmith. ) Determine what your objectives are first, for yourself or for your market, and then decide how best to get there.