The Armour Archive

I have been reading alot about padding knees. I always used knee pads.

Is it legal to just hot glue padding to the inside of a knee instead?

That would be way more comfortable than knee pads.

I don't wear any padding at all. Never had a bite or and injury from a shot to the knee or going to my knees.

Of course it is better when you have lots of natural padding.

Damon,

The rules say that there has to be padding in such a way that it doesn't slip or move from the area that needs protection. (I'm paraphrasing here). They do not state how it needs to be attached. Glueing the padding to the knee cop is perfectly legal, as are padded chausses, knee pads, or any other technique that will pad your knee.

Also, I've found multiple layers of felt to be more comfortable than foam.

hmm felt padding glued to the inside of knee...... hmm comfort and protection..... dare to dream!!!!

Never used any knee padding, and still no injuries after about 5 years of combat with steel blunts.

However I use to wear a gambeson padded with the gray "undercarpet" industrial felt....

I use that cheap stuff for all kinds of purposes, to fill helmet liners, multiple layers of shaped and glued to form a - how do you call it - "family juwels" protection, etc etc.

When used in a gambeson it's not to hot and absorbs some sweat- you can even wash it.

it's about 0,5 to 1 cm thick. (it can vary.)

If you're talking about steel knees, I wouldn't bother padding them with anything that will absorb sweat and can't be detached. Removing rust from behind glued padding sounds like a nightmare...

Damon, people who use blanket buskins give them excellent report. More comfortable than elasticized pads, periodly documentable, and padding well.

A strip of woolen blanket about as wide as the kneecop is high, wound several times about the knee and the end tucked in, I think at the back of the leg so if it needs adjusting it's easily managed. I don't recall if the end is tapered.

I should probably use blankets. I use my thigh. With a full leg harness, I think padding the knee is largely useless. That being said, I think it's a rule in some SCA areas. I think it may be required in Northshield.

No, I was wrong. It's society.

7. Leg Armor:
a. The kneecap and both sides of the knee joints must be covered by rigid material lined by at
least ¼ inch (6 mm) of resilient padding or closed-cell foam or an approved equivalent. This
armor shall be attached in such a way that the knee remains covered during combat.

Well, there ya go, although I doubt anyone cares enough to bounce you. It is, after all, your leg.

i've seen a guy who uses sheepskin as padding material (with the fur on it). i don't remember if it was in his knees, but he says it's rather comfortable and protective in his gauntlets and on his shield. gives a more "period" look too. none of that blue foam or roller skating knee pads.

Gwydion Caithnes wrote:Removing rust from behind glued padding sounds like a nightmare...

Just the opposite,

My legs and arms are padded HEAVILY with quarter inch military bedroll foam, and hot glued directly to the steel.

As far as rust goes, its pretty easy. I just take my heat gun to the outside surface of the metal and *slunk* padding falls out. Then run the wire knot wheel over the inside surface, and presto! Clean legs!

Hope it helps,

Shawn

Why would you clean the inside of the legs? A russet finish, forge blackening, or paint will prevent further rust.

Mike F wrote:Why would you clean the inside of the legs? A russet finish, forge blackening, or paint will prevent further rust.

Its a once-every-two-or-so-years kind of thing. Plus, it just rusts around the edges, not towards the center. And when I say rust, I mean very minimal surface tarnish that more of an annoyance than anything.

Thanks for the Suggestion,

Shawn

I use blanket strips on the set of knees that are just a litte too large. Work great and breath better than commerical need pads, and cheaper too

Nicholas

So do you taper the strip ends or is a straight rectangular piece just fine?

I wore blankets behind my knees this year at Pennsic. I bought a piece of 60" wool a foot long (12"x60") and cut it diagonally into two long triangles. Wind it around and tuck the narrow end through, then strap on the harness. It stayed in place just fine, didn't open up, and provided sufficient padding. Plus, when it got a hint manky, it got rinsed and hung out on the laundry line in camp and thus was fresh and clean each day.