I can't decide if I like it yet. It bags a bit in the back, which I could adjust if I set my mind to it. Then again, I feel really apprehensive about fooling around with an arrangement that mostly seems to work. In order to make it fit better I could cut the maille at a slant, since the helmet is designed to sit at a slant. But cutting maille on a slant might be too much for me---my eye's water at the very thought of it. And if I screw it up, I can't bear the thought of the headache I'd have. Hey, maybe the slight bag is good cause it allows a bit of ease in movement?
I'd consider lining the maille but then I'd loose the airflow---and I think I want that airflow, thank you very much
. The mantle seems to drape okay. One issue is that the weight of the coif seems to want to drag the front of the helmet downwards a bit. This is a factor since Adam designs these to tilt back a bit on the head and sit close to the neck in the back. Maybe the strapping arrangements will be able to manage this issue?
And that brings me to strapping. I have never been satisfied with my strapping arrangement. My initial arrangement was a single strap anchored above each ear (fastened to the top bar of the helmet's 360-degree lower bar-grill/cage) crossing below the chin and liberally padded. This worked marginally well, but I placed the buckle up so high the helmet was a MIGHTY effort to buckle and unbuckle whilst wearing my arm harness. I don't know about you, but I need my helmet to be quickly and easily donned and doffed. It's a real issue when just the task of buckling my helmet wears me out and drenches me in sweat!
Trouble is that the helmet fits so close, I and hardly get my fingers under the edge to hook a buckle. I am going to have to come up with a better solution, I know. But what? I guess I'll need to place the buckle right under my chin where I have the best chance of getting to it? Hmmm...
Understand that I wear this as a heavy combat archer. That gives you an idea of the range of movement I require and what sort of action this rig might be subject to.
Any comments or recommendations or suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks,
Tim
. As far as your chin strap, one thing that might work, though it would take a bit of trial and error, is simply lose the buckle. In other words, make a single strap with a slit or cup for your chin that you can slide up to remove and back down to to put on. It might take a couple of tries to get the length right but I think you could use machine screws to hold it in place until you like it and then rivet it in place.
