The Armour Archive

Well that was depressing. Just cleaned out my paypal donation account to part part of the the travel fees for Poland.

I don't hang with philanthropists. I just have friends that do/did including where I work. If I did hang out with them, *I* would be trying to help them part with their money. My sister used to have 'contacts' as well in the sports entertainment world (Baltimore ravens and other area franchises and could get Ray Lewis to show-up at your kids B-day party), but when she was let go from her publicity job, she became a proverbial leper working at a fast food place. (Jerry McGuire movie always reminded me of her situation).

The point was that you need to get the word out to people that have money and like to donate. That's the catch 22.

You need money BUT you need to advertise to get it. BUT advertising costs money BUT You have no money. Therefore...Return to start of line and repeat.
-Cian

I have had 1,461 visitors with 2,154 views to my Battle of Nations donation page. I have to do a better job of encouragement, if each person had donated $2-5 I could have gotten these pesky armorers off my back who keep trying to get me make a choice on what I need to order.

Coat of Plates will be ordered from Ice Falcon who is doing a special set for us out of stainless spring steel. I just got an offer from someone who might be able to donate/make greeves.

and of course Mistress Cunian is doing an auction.

Many of the donations have of course come from people who know me with outlayers from some of the Kingdoms I have lived in who want to help out.

I have also stepped up to be the S-4 for the Team and help with that staff.

So far I have had Visitors 1,569 with Views 2,412 to the donation page. This week I hope to put up a webpage of my own and a FB page.

http://igg.me/p/58901

I owe folks Russian Candy bars and Duke Uther T-Shirts/Hoodies that have donated and asked for them.

Thanks for everyone who has helped out.

When exactly is the BON?
I could see a raffle/bakesale or fundraising turney a pennsic raising a few bucks. I'm sure other Large events would probibly raise a few $ as well.

It's about 40 guys trying to get appropriately outfitted and flown to Poland by late April this year to compete as the American team in some full speed, full contact, rebated steel mayhem.

Well I guess that eleminates a Pennsic fundraiser, Though Golf Wars or ESTRELLA might work.
If you need stuff for Raffle or turney prizes let me know.
A non-profit tax exempt code may help the group raise funds but I'm not quite sure if thats posible for this kind of event.

Isabella,

We do not have non-profit status yet. There are several efforts going on with sponsership and fund raising. There is the Team effort at www.usaknights.org, and then there are those of use who are trying to fund out own effrots. Duke Uther is one of them selling shirts, another is going to do a run of cigars. I am trying as many routes as I can. I do need stuff for raffle or tourney prizes, however the Team does also.

Anything Mistress Cunian raises will either go to greaves or a gorget. Her choice.

Here is an update This is the Archive so comments are more then welcome.

Everyone who helps me is now coopted into "Team Guy USAknight"

Team Guy USAknight web and marketing Lance is putting up a website this week, Facebook as well. Until then we have indiegogo http://igg.me/p/58901?a=358997 of gifting through paypal to robertd@usaknights.org.

Most of the funds I have gathered so far have gone to travel (($1420 for Poland airfare/lodging) 1St (National Practice 16-19 Feb 12, Springfield, IL Airfare/lodging/Confernce Fee ($ 500))) unless the donations have been targeted (Mistress Cunians, Leg Armor Wed, The Japanese donations of Avalon or Geoffery La Beech for shields)

The current cost of my armor
-Helm $1195 (not sure either Ice or Jolly Knight)
- Gorget $95 (Ice)
- Shoulders $395 (not sure I have some from Master Eldred but not sure if they will work)
- Coat of Plates $595 (ordered but not paid for Ice Falcon- Stainless Spring Spints)
- Arms $495 ($125 raised)
- Legs $695 ($155 raised so far)
- Greaves $250 (Diedrich of Ponte Alto will donate and make)
- Shield $200 (Brian du Val of Ansteorra will donate and make)
- Gambeson 14th Century (Blue) $150 (Jolly Knight)
- Padded Coif $50 (Jolly Knight)
- Arming Hose (red) $75 (Jolly Knight)
- 2 Team America Jupons at $75 each.

Weapons I will arm myself with the following (one of thr swords will end up being my Household sword since I will be going into battle with it)
1. The Black Star Sword- a collection is being taken up for the "Black Star Sword" by Ritter Dieterich Kempenich Von Eltz of Ansteorra
2. Bone Crusher the Mace of Doom- A Gift from Nissan i have put in a name for now but I will ask him to name it
3. The Sea Sword of Atlantia (or some other name if you help donate you can name it) A basard sword that my squire Glaukos is taking the lead on. If he gets the funds he names it.

The Baltimore Knife and Sword Company who is giving the team a discount. (http://www.baltimoreknife.com) is making alot of the Team Weapons.

There will be people patrolling the event who will be checking to see if our garb is correct. We have decided that the following period clothing will be needed. We are hoping we can get cloth donated for numes 4-7. I will mostly likely order 1-3 from Historic Enterprises using (1) Package, Underwear, 14th century, Complete, Linen ($105) and (1) Complete Package, Underwear, 14th/15th century ($209)

1. 2 white linen undershirts.
2. 2 pair of brais
3. 2 pair of hosen
4. one bocksten tunic http://forest.gen.nz/Medieval/articles/ ... ksten.html
5. one cotehardie
6. one herjolfsnes #63 http://historiskdrakt.wordpress.com/200 ... nes-63-64/
7. one hood.

My clothing Team Lead Duchess Brenwen of the East (at least I am calling her my Team Lead since she made the below suggestion) stating the following reasons recommending the above clothing kit. My family and I will be going to her home tomarrow so I can take measurements. Her grace is going to donate some purpley/maroonish wool and make the herjolfsnes #63.

Read the words of her Grace to me

"With this basic kit you can mix and match and flesh out 4 to 5 days of clothing. Additionally, this will be the smallest kit you will need that will take up the least amount of space for luggage. The bocksten tunic is the 14c tee shirt of the man and the everyday wear. Cotehardie is for your fancy pageantry and I'd recommend in a brocade of something fancy. The herjolfsnes can be worn alone or as an over coat on top of the other 2, so it will replace a cloak (will not need a cloak). it can be worn closed with a belt or open as a coat. The hood will be extra warmth and wearing with and without adds the extra accessory to make you have more fashion looks out of a basic wardrobe.

I'd recommend the tunic in linen, the cotehardie in brocade, and the herjolfsnes in wool and dagged. Look up images from the "hunting book of Gaston Phoebus" for images.

Id recommend one red item, one green item, and one blue item, plus the brocade. 2 pairs of the hose in two different colors so you can mix them up. red green and blue were the most common colors we see in the medieval manuscripts and they combined them freely (their color sense was different than ours)."

From Duchess Brenwen...............update on Sir Guy soft kit for Battle of the nations. I have recieved 2 donations of linen that will cover his needs. Still looking for a donation of 4.5 yards of wool for a herjolfnes #63, one yard of wool for a hood, and 4.5 yards of brocade for a cotehardie. I have one volunteer for sewing and I am looking for a few more. send me a pm if you are interested in donating or helping.

This is really helping alot.

tonight I got one of these from Amazon to train with. I will see how it works at the national event next week.

CAS Hanwei Practical Hand and a Half Sword.

Tomarrow will be leg armor wed. take a look at my site for updates.

http://igg.me/p/58901?a=358997

any donation or idea is welcome.

I am getting to the point where I will have to order my armor. 90% sure most of it will come from Ice Falcon. . By supporting me you are also supporting him (see Ice's post)

Sir Guy

It is Leg Armor Wednesday once again. In an attempt to defray the costs of joining the rest of the Americans on this first Battle of Nations Team I have set up both a fund raising site and a paypal account under robertd@usaknights.org. In order to ensure I come back in one piece after fighting for Team America I am going to need to do a 100% Armour makeover. There are also pretty significant travel costs for the practices and event itself. This fighting is much more savage then than what we do in the SCA. If you would feel more comfortable donating to TeamUSA itself instead of an individual member that can be done at our website which can be found on my indigo site here http://igg.me/p/58901. We will also need funds for logistical support while we are there for things like first aid kits and transportation. If you want to see what the Team is up to we have a facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/groups/11590404 ... 041790980/. While I need support the Team does as well so this is my way of trying to help us both. If anyone would like to see my costs they are on here. Feel free to contact me, I am open kimono about everything. Thanks for your time looking at this. Guy

Sir Guy wrote:what is a PAC?

Political Action Committee- they're the ones who do the fundraising, hence the little aside about you having your own. I think it admirable that you inspire people to go to such lengths on your behalf. Something like that usually speaks to character.

By the by, the Hanwei H/H sword (if it is indeed the one I'm thinking of, triple fullered, 3mm edge) is very flexible- won't hold up well to a thrust but should be suitable for the sort of swordplay you're about to indulge in. It IS pretty durable. Best of luck.

Thank you. I've been very lucky.

It is just for wacking away so I think it will be ok.

How is it for one handed use?

Paladin74 wrote:

Sir Guy wrote:what is a PAC?

Political Action Committee- they're the ones who do the fundraising, hence the little aside about you having your own. I think it admirable that you inspire people to go to such lengths on your behalf. Something like that usually speaks to character.

By the by, the Hanwei H/H sword (if it is indeed the one I'm thinking of, triple fullered, 3mm edge) is very flexible- won't hold up well to a thrust but should be suitable for the sort of swordplay you're about to indulge in. It IS pretty durable. Best of luck.

Well thanks to my wife I have ordered the rest of my armor. I was dithering over doing so becuase of funds. She has also made sure I am all packed for the National Practice this weekend in Springfield. I will have a box of SCA and SCA battle of Thirty Armor to get by with this weekend.

Here is an Armor status.

Mainly from Jolly Knight and Ice Falcon. Jolly Knight is going to pay 1/2 the shipping from the Ukraine and gave me 10% off the soft items. Ice is cutting all of us a deal on the armor.

-Helm $950 for Onion Top German 12 g spring stainless + 210 for aventail- ($500 sent) Ordered from Jolly Knight Armory- http://jollyknight.com.ua/
- Gorget $95 ($0 raised so far)
- Shoulders $395 (0$ raised so far) - Ordered from Icefalcon Armory- http://www.icefalcon.com/
- Coat of Plates $595 ($500 sent)- Ordered from Icefalcon Armory- http://www.icefalcon.com/
- Arms $495 ($125 raised)- Ordered from Icefalcon Armory- http://www.icefalcon.com/
- Legs $450 ($175 raised so far)- Ordered from Jolly Knight Armory- http://jollyknight.com.ua/
- Greaves $250 (Donate)- Stephen Terrell is making
- Shield $200 (Donated)- Brian du Val from Norman Armoury is making. Lawrence Beach has donated also.
- Gambeson 14th Century (Blue) $150 (paid for and ordered) From Jolly Knight Armory- http://jollyknight.com.ua/
- Padded Coif $50 (paid for and ordered) From Jolly Knight Armory- http://jollyknight.com.ua/
- Arming Hose (red) $75 (paid for and ordered) From Jolly Knight Armory- http://jollyknight.com.ua/

I think one big push with business in North jersey (if I can find any and I hope I will be over the top with funds). I am hoping some of the sports teams be interested in donating.

Lots of updates or links to updates on how the National Practice went this past weekend in Sprinfield.

http://igg.me/p/58901?a=358997

Sir guy do you have any old gear your selling?

Andrea,

What do you mean? Right now I am not getting selling any gear, but if you need something I can see what I have around.

Sir Guy

quote="Andrea Ferrara"]Sir guy do you have any old gear your selling?[/quote]

It seems that Baron Vail of Japan is sending me two Al Mar knifes to auction off on ebay or some other place. I have not gotten them yet but does anyone have suggestions on the best way to go about this?

I am also still up for folks in Northern NJ with suggestions on how to best approach business to sponser or donate.

I am amazed. Baron Vail's efforts to help fund raise have been awesome. The Japanese members of Avalon just sent another $475..........

Folks who have supported Team USA.

http://usaknights.org/teamusa_002.htm

My new website is up.

www.robertusaknight.com.

Please crosspost. It would be a great help.

We know have to document our soft kit (garb) as well as our armor.

I am still very open to marketing suggestions. Next week I plan to poster the town with posters.

Hi Sir Guy,

I'm at the "donating stuff" stage now. The flight out to my grandmother-in-law's funeral plus rental car and other stuff set me back $2K. My soft kit won't fit you I think.

-Aaron

OK, the picture of your daughter and you rocked. I like her expression, "Daddy is dressed up in a lot of stuff...I wonder if he's found that I put my diaper in his helmet yet."