The Armour Archive

With already 2 fused cervical vertabrae I feel the need to go stainless in my next helm. My current Viking helm has served my greatly, but I need a lighter helm. I have a humongo head (25 3/4"), so while I scout a bank to rob to pay for this next helm , what armourers should I contact ?

Thanks in advance...Skorri

While you're at it, could you describe the rest of your harness from the neck down?

You may feel the need to change armor eras, decoupling your harness from your persona.

This solution is expensive, but is the ultimate in some-kinda-period along with neckbone protection: first half of fourteenth century alwyte, with a great bascinet. GB's have been seen before on determined fighters with dodgy cervical vertebrae. It's been a very reliable fix.

Part of the protection of the helmet is its mass. If you go lighter you might find that your neck hurts more rather than less since it (your neck) will be required to absorb the blows instead of the inertia of the helmet. Also, the only way that the stainless helm will be lighter is if you use a lighter gauge for the metal or a design that uses less metal. You may want to explain your hobby to your physician (or better yet a knowledgeable sports medicine doctor) and get his/her recommendation prior to changing what works for you currently. Just my 2 cents.

Cameron

Thanks so much for the advice so far...my doc is the one the feels the need for me to reduce the weight on my cervical spine. The good thing about my disc problems are that they are not as much "compression" injuries as they are a degenerative problem. Never the less, I see your point about lighter not always being better deBlakstan. My current helm is relatively "closed in" in the front, having a more open facial area would reduce weight and provide better ventilation. So the bascinet certainly is worth looking into. As far as the rest of my rig, I am changing over to a lamellar chest piece. Thanks again...

Skorri

A bargrill will weigh more than sheet steel, in general, for the same coverage. You might think about a t faced barbute for maximum visibility/breathing and lighter weight than a grill.

I have no ide if this would help or not, but how about one of those big foamy neck braces you sometimes see on whiplash patients? Would that give you enough support?

(disclaimer -- I am Zweihammer's webmaster and friend)

How about making a Valsgarde helmet from the kit that Zeihammer Armory offers? He has it in stainless, and it's not too heavy due to all the metal that is missing with the latticework being used instead of a solid helmet bowl.

The url is http://www.zweihammer.com

-Dmitriy

Konstantin- just a question... you said first half of the 14th century alwhite, Great Bascinet... I thought that description fits more with early 15th century armour- am I missing something?

I am currently using a 16 gauge stainless steel bascinet from www.armourandcastings.com and I have been very happy with it.

Regards,
Richard
Ansteorra