The Armour Archive

So states the SCA Marshal's Handbook.

What exactly counts as the equivalent of 6mm of closed-cell foam? What precisely can I get away with for padding my knees and elbows for SCA combat?

It means something similar in protective qualities. E.g. you could use cotton or wool batting that is of similar compression and similar thickness. Or you could use batting that is softer, but more depth to it so even though it's easier to compress it has more distance to reach full compression. Or you could use something like a space age intertial dampening gel that is made specifically for shock absorption to distribute force over a greater area when it meets an impact.
OR you can do what most of us do, and use 6mm closed cell foam and fo'gettaboutit.
-Cian

I thought you woare a padded cote Josh.
I have modern foam in my helm and thats the only place.

Any padding on the cote wouldn't help my knees.

What I have been doing is winding felt or cotton batting (similar to the 'bulwerkis' of blanket recommended in "How A Man Shall Be Armed At His Ease...") around my knees a couple of times. I'm not sure every marshal would pass it, though. I can just see some particularly anal marshal bouncing it one of these days, and was wondering about other options out there.

How about a gamboised cuisse. Thats all I have for padding.
If you send me a snail mail address I can just mail you some self adhesive closed cell foam I have.
Its easy, just cut to shape, peel and stick.
I have several 4 ft tall rolls of the stuff, Ill just slice of a section and stick in in a manilla envelope.
Should pacify any marshal, you could still wear the bulwerkis for authenticitys sake

I doubt that many marshals would even check that close, Josh.

I've sewn some 1/2 "aircraft felt";) into the demi-greaves of my knee harness, and it makes them so much more comfortable than when I had foam in them. I don't even have padding in the cop itself.

you never know what might trip someone's trigger

White Mountain Armoury,
Where do you purchase the self adhesive foam?
Thanks,
Bear

HannibalHulvey wrote:White Mountain Armoury,
Where do you purchase the self adhesive foam?
Thanks,
Bear

I did not purchase it, it was a gift, I have no idea of the manufacturer.

Joaquin wrote:Any padding on the cote wouldn't help my knees.

What I have been doing is winding felt or cotton batting (similar to the 'bulwerkis' of blanket recommended in "How A Man Shall Be Armed At His Ease...") around my knees a couple of times. I'm not sure every marshal would pass it, though. I can just see some particularly anal marshal bouncing it one of these days, and was wondering about other options out there.

No marshal should fail it. The or equivalent rules are specifically put in the handbook so that safe alternatives, especially period methods, can be used. I suspect that no marshal would ever notice it unless you pointed it out as well.

self adhesive foam is available at HVAC supply houses, grainger, mcmaster-carr, and I've seen it occasionally at Home Depot/Lowes.

Morgan

Spray glue+foam, and you've made it yourself.