The Armour Archive

I live in the Middle Kingdom and I'm making a couple glaives for SCA use. I have two questions or requests for help. If anyone has measurements for the cutting surfaces of authentic glaives, I'd really appreciate it. Second, has anyone ever attempted to make a rondel out of foam, leather and duct tape?

I've seen sliding rondels on pole arms. The owners say they work quite well but it would bug me, Check your A.C. handbook for minimum/maximum allowable lengths. The one glaive I've seen up close had a blade length of around 20" and remember a glaive only had one cutting edge, it's not a naginata.

Thanks, I believe that the max in the Middle is 18". I have the one cutting edge. I was looking for some blade lengths from period examples. If someone can point me to a book that has measurments, I'd be most greatful for that.

Thanks.

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Guillaume le Sauvage
(Bill Teeple)

"Honor over victory."

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by guillaume:
<B>Thanks, I believe that the max in the Middle is 18".
</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In the Middle Kingdom, a polearm can be padded for more than 18". The polearm standard in the Middle Kindgom is:

<B>
2.4.4 POLEARMS
In addition to Society standards:
A. PADDING
Polearms must have at least ½ inch of flexible closed cell foam or its equivalent along any cutting surface. Polearms must also be padded for 1/3 of its length or 18 inches whichever is less.
B. MAXIMUM LENGTH
Polearms may not exceed 7-½ feet in length.
C. MAXIMUM WEIGHT
The weight of the total weapon shall not exceed one (1) pound per foot of length up to 6 feet. After 6 feet, the weapon may weigh an additional half-pound per foot of length.
D. GREAT AXES
Great axes may be a maximum of 54 inches in length:
1) The striking surface of the head must be a minimum of 6 inches in length.
2) There must be 3 inches of foam or rubber between the striking surface and the haft of the great axe.
3) Pre-molded "Rathbone" axe heads are considered to comply with the above standards.
E. BUTTS SPIKES
Butts spikes may be used on polearms and spears up to 7-½ feet in length ONLY. To employ a butt spike on a polearm, the user must be authorized in two-handed thrust. Butt spike construction is the same as the construction for spears (non-fiberglass, see below).
</B>

-Keith.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by guillaume:
Second, has anyone ever attempted to make a rondel out of foam, leather and duct tape? </font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Try splitting hosepipe, then wrap it around with either some glue or tape to hold it.

Euan de Morey