The Armour Archive

I personally have a problem with the false turnshoe construction, visible on the pointed-toe types. A year or so ago, I commissioned a similar pair (from Bohemond---presumedly not your vendor) and neglected to note that they were not true "turn-shoes". I ended up reselling them as they just did not meet my requirements for comfort and "level" of authenticity.

Okay, alot of you out there are probably saying "What's the big deal?" Well, on a turnshoe, the shoe follows the contour of your foot as the sides wrap around to meet the soles---very comfortable! In the false turnshoes, the top (vamp) is sewn to a rigid sole and does not wrap to the shap of the foot at the sides. The result can sometimes be less than comfortable or secure.

Note that in medieval shoes, the soles are SMALLER than the outline of the foot---they do not stick out BEYOND the outline of the foot. In my mind, that is one of the chief aesthetic issues with the shoes shown here. It makes the soles very evident. Even more evident when they are thick and made of modern materials, and sometimes in heavily treaded or lugged designs.

If there is a way of altering your pattern so that the sides of the shoes/boots are shaped more---perhaps by molding the uppers to a last or form, it would make your designs clearly superior to the several vendors out there that are making shoes/boots by the same methods you are.

Aside from those issues, the footwear look pretty cool, and definitely more of a period appearance than East German officer boots, Minnetonka fringed moccasin boots, or Ren Faire Bust-Your-Wallet moccasin boots.

Again, your shoes & boots look very handsome and seviceable. Perhaps adding some period bronze buckles would be a nice touch. I could make them for you if you were interested.



[This message has been edited by Tim Finkas (edited 12-24-2001).]

Somebody else looking for these

Just wondering when the web site or order process was going to start up because I would like a pair of these to fight in ....

they would be great!

Same here

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I personally have a problem with the false turnshoe construction, visible on the pointed-toe types.</font>

I really think you need to compare the safety/authenticity factors for what your usage is going to be. Would I wear these for a Regia Anglorium authenticity inspection? Of course not, plus I'd get bonus points for having made all my kit myself rather than purchasing it. But if there is a chance of my soleless turnshoes slipping too deep in the stirrup, then me falling off and getting dragged, I'd rather make that compromise. Likewise, at the Kentucky Horse Park, I feel much better with some distance between my feet and some of the substances I may be stepping in!

I think for combat, whether SCA or steel, the same would hold true. Lose your footing during an attack or parry and you may put yourself in harm's way in even the most carefully choreographed scene.

I wear MRL pointed-toed hip-boots whenever I ride for these reasons (plus the leather functions to a degree like chaps for a more secure seat). For authenticity I have a pair of center-stiched Frankish carbatine (sp?) turnshoes, a pair of Viking moose hide turnshoes and a pair of Norman riding boots/turnshoes. When I wear wrap-around greaves and solettes I wear Dyer handstitched "buckskinner" moccasins, as the leather is thick enough to carry the weight of the metal without it cutting into my foot. I made the Viking & Frankish, and purchased the rest. I also have a pair of 14th C. "wanna-be" turnshoes from Alstair (sp?) for "court-garb", that have tacked on soles.
In addition, I have a pair of floppy "rock-in-roll" stage boots from my performing days, and a pair of those MRL suede moccasins. Add to that a pair of shower flip-flops (athletes foot protection), and that is probably the minimum for 2 weeks at Pennsic, where you are walking constantly and wet shoes will quickly give you blisters that will ruin your vacation.

I quite agree with Bascot. Sometimes it is advisable to surrender a little authenticity for safety. Again, my cheif problem with the false turnshoe construction is that the fit felt unsure to me---and that would probably make for usure footing for combat.

MAJOR UPDATE:

I am in the final process of haggling with the shoemaker. My website will soon be up under the address

www.armourland.com

I have another website in the registering process. I will be posting content within the next (hopefully) two weeks.

Thank you for your interest

Sebastian

I am interested, but it depends on the price

Your Excellency Arland,

He will know me after the March Crown tourney.......


At your service..

Giles of Redheugh

I am very interested. Email me pleas when formalized!

I will go through this post and post, an also email everybody once I have definite price ranges and delivery times.

Sebastian

would it be possible to get #4 with a rounder toe and no back piece?

or even better could you talk your shoe maker into doing a early 17th century type of shoe?

YES...Yes please! I could probably get my whole clan to order boots from you! Hell, most of Markland could use new shoes!

Blackcross

I am VERY much interested in the last pair of boots!!! $250 seems very reasonable to me. Are you selling yet?

Drooling with anticipation.

Raibeart

Quit Drooling Raibeart !!!

You'll stain the leather!

Really your looking for boots!! Well I guess anything beats the tennis shoes!

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Baron Ulrik
www.wastekeep.org/baronsbabble

I would deffinitely be interested in #3 and #7.

I would definitely be interested in #'s 7 & 8.
What is the possibility of women's sizes? Or if that's not feasable, what is the smallest men's size they make? I would need like a size 5 -5 1/2 mens.
And just to clarify this (that brain of mine is awol again) they would come in the colors shown, then if we needed to we could just dye them?


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Leah of Newcastle
Man-at-Arms to Syr Malcolm MacEoghainn

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by BaronUlrik:
<B>Quit Drooling Raibeart !!!

You'll stain the leather!
</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wouldn't be the first time

Email me also when you have it all worked out.

Bjorn

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Shameless:
<B>I would definitely be interested in #'s 7 & 8.
What is the possibility of women's sizes? Or if that's not feasable, what is the smallest men's size they make? I would need like a size 5 -5 1/2 mens.
And just to clarify this (that brain of mine is awol again) they would come in the colors shown, then if we needed to we could just dye them?


</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, these come in any color you specify, well ,any "normal color anyways. The only thing you will have to dye yourself would be the soles (the thick natural leather part in sandwiched in the middle, but these usually darken by themselves after a few events.

Sebastian

And 5-5 1/2.. Give me your foot length when I have an order mechanism set up, and we will see. I think it wioll be doable though, since every boot is custom made anyway. There will also a lot of measuring involved for the shoes, and more for the boots, and I will need foot tracings on top of that. A bit complicated, but makes for awesome fit. In the beginning these are tight as h*#+, but they loosen up like leatherpants do.

Thanks for the interest, and please have patience with me, I am still struggling a bit with the organization

Sebastian

[This message has been edited by Vallconnan (edited 01-24-2002).]

Well HURRY UP! You post these great pictures and then tell us to wait! ShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoesShoes!

Blackcross -no patiences!

That has been my biggest peeve - wanting to find a good pair of period-ish looking boots for fighting but the ones I like only coming in men's sizes that are way too big for me.
Besides that's my biggest weakness - boots and shoes *drool*.

Now has anyone wore these for fighting yet? How do they feel after being on your feet fighting all day?

I want boots #7
Right now, and maybe #8
And a few others later.
Let me know when they go into production, or where to send my money.
Is there a website?

yes! Being a shoemaker myself, I would like to see some period shoes for reenactment. I know of one other person who does period shoes for sale--Past class in the UK (pastclass.com). I just ordered saxon-style turnshoes from them for $52, including shipping. I wish someone state side would make period shoes in a comperable price range. Are you in the US?

Ok.. now you did it..

You REALLY need to get this setup soon. My wife was watching me surf the archive and I asked her what would she think if I got some of these boots to fight in.

Fearing her normal response of "you just got new arms and new body armour" I was cringing waiting for it. Does that happen? not even close..

Her response? "Only if I can get a pair for myself."

Hope you can make these for really small feet or you're gonna have one pissed off scotish lass commin after you.. Trust me.. you don't want that..

The fourth photo from the top.....how much???
Jengjen

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"Se Fray Stente Festa!"

How do I order them?
Where do I send money?

Here we go, thanks for the patience!

Okay people, prices, measurement guide and all the other stuff needed for ordering. It used to be that the shoes would cost diferent based on shoe size, now they are one prize for every size, because the material more-cost for larger sizes is fairly small compared to the amount of work in every shoe. So instead of "starting at", the new price is the old price for the medium sizes. All shoes are basically available in all colors, but please be aware that non-standard colors will probaly take longer to peruse. Also, it is difficult if not impossible to really exactly match an exact color (you could for example specify "dark green", but not "the exaxt same color as my woodland camouflage pants dark green") Please also note that the natural colored leather sole will darken within the first few events. Mine were undistinguishable from the sole itself after two months. The standard sole right now is the sole seen on the Low boot. It can hardly be seen at all yet provides good grip and is very long lasting /they are made by the company Birkenstock, nurses and doctors should know what soles/shoes I am talking about.

[img]http://www.sebastian-kempkens.de/princessklein.jpg[/img]

The above shoe is the shoe model "Princess". It is designed for Her Ladyship and availabele from European size 36. Please see my sizing chart for conversion to American sizes. This shoe costs 130$ in all regular sizes.


[img]http://www.sebastian-kempkens.de/schnabelschuheklein.jpg[/img]

This shoe is called "Schnabelschuh" It is available in the sizes 36-48 (that is 4 to 14 US mens). It is the most difficult of the low shoes to make, so it is unfortunately more expensive than the other ones at 155$. Available in one or two colors.

[img]http://www.sebastian-kempkens.de/normanneklein.jpg[/img]

This is the low cut version of the Boots (Low Boots). These boots come in sizes 36-48. These cost 145$ in any size.

[img]http://www.sebastian-kempkens.de/normannehochklein.jpg[/img]

This is the high version of the boot (High Boot). The garter is for extra stability and can be taken off as fashion sense wants to. Each pair costs 215$

[img]http://www.sebastian-kempkens.de/normannehochgeschnuertklein.jpg[/img]


This is the side-laced version of the High Boot (High Boot Laced). Each pair costs 230$.


Ordering:

Everybody who has emailed me or posted his interest is preffered in order of date. Shipping for one pair varies from 15$-25$ for ground shipping and 35 to 45$ for expedited air service. I will try to get back to everybody who emailed me before, but since my mailbox is so cluttered I would ask you to resend your message. Everybody else, mail to me at my email address, I will put you into a queue line. I will work ten orders at one time, and contact you when your queue is on. I do not want to take payment for 30 pairs and leave people hanging. I think that is worse for business than to put somebody into a queue and get back to him when a manufacturing date seems in reach. Vrai, non?

I will consider any trade offer made, but right now I am in dire need of cash flow, so at first, I will go with the "money" customers first, until things look better cash-wise.

For measurement guide, shoe size table and payment information, go to:

http://members.tripod.de/Vallconnan/bootsmeasurements.htm

If you have questions, please post them here, as I am sure I have overlooked something, and it will probably be in everybodys interest to clear them up before somebody gets disappointed by me.

Thank you for your interest

Sebastian
I will edit this post as necessary when the unavoidable mistakes are noticed

[This message has been edited by Vallconnan (edited 01-29-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Vallconnan (edited 01-29-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Vallconnan (edited 02-08-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Vallconnan (edited 02-08-2002).]

Outstanding, Looks like you and me are first Robert, we'll be the envy of Ansteorra.

I'll get back with you very soon on my order Sebastian, I will be ordering for my lady and myself probably.

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--Edric de Aldebury--
edric@edricsrose.com
http://www.edricsrose.com

Flos est puellarum, quam diligio, et rosa rosarum, quam sepe video.
"My love is a flower among virgins, and a rose among roses"

Very nice. One day I will have a pair of those high boots...oh yes, they will be mine.

Before I forget.. the other three shoes are still available as well... email me for a price quote.

Thanks

Sebastian

*BUMP*

Much to my displeaure, I have to surrender my spot. After recently buying an Xbox, a new dryer, some new armor, some costume stuff, and a trip to Pennsylvania I am completely tapped out!

Robert

Oh I will be ordering a pair of the high boots (maybe two) but not for a few months *sigh* unless money starts falling from the sky. But I am definitely going to order a pair!

Is it possible to maybe post a pic - or send me a pic - of the first tall boot (with garter) with a complete front view? I just want to see more clearly how the toe is shaped.

Thank you for offering them in smaller sizes!!!



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Leah of Newcastle
Man-at-Arms to Syr Malcolm MacEoghainn