The Armour Archive

Hello all,

I was refered here to this list by a friend of mine...

A little background:

I joined the SCA about 2 years ago. After a few months of working my mundane skills into the world of A&S, I followed all my friends onto the Heavy Fighting field. I loved it. I soon gathered all the armor I could, making what I couldnt purchase. Well a friend of mine had to move and was in possession of a loaner helm and he entrusted me to pass it back to the rightful owner. A task which I had intended in all efforts to carry out.

I attended many practices with the helm in tow, but only to find out eventually the owner was away from SCA activities due to surgery. Well a few months went by and I finally had my own suit of armor, but no helm so I padded the loaner and proceeded to use it while shopping for my own. As life tends to get in the way I never had the money to drop on a new helm.

A year went by and I finally met the owner of this loaner helm at a practice. I told him I had been using it and he said it was ok as long as I kept it in good shape (free of rust, etc). This was music to my ears. Well another year went by and the owner decided he wanted to take it back (for reasons unknown to me). I finally had to part with my helm.

My situation:

Spring has sprung here in Colorado and its time to gear up for war. the only thing stopping me from getting on the field now is a lack of a helm. Im asking, no, pleading for anyone who has a decent, SCA-legal helm that is collecting dust and is willing to part with it. My persona is that of a "viking" (intentionally kept broad for helm purposes) if there are any helms that match that description laying about in random garages and closets, but beggars cant be choosers, and the loaner was a spun top. At this point Ill take what I can get as long as it protects my noodle. Unfortunately, life is still getting in the way and I dont have a whole lot of spare cash to offer up so my price range is rather low. If anyone can help, Please feel free to reply.

EDIT: Forgot... My hat size is about 7 1/2 if that helps, id say about 24" in circumferance (sp?), Id say I have an average sized head.

Joe

jpapasso,

Check the following link. I was going to purchase this helm untill unfortunate situations prevented it.

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=57512

Thanks for the reply, I happened to stumble across that link after posting this thread. That helm looks great, and would definately fit my persona. Its not every day you come across a helm that looks "viking"-ish that still has a bargrill for better visibility. Unfortunately, what they are asking for is a bit out of my price range, but I did PM them, and hopefully, something can come out of this (either they lower their asking price, or I magically come into some unexpected money, or both ). Otherwise, im now worse off then I am now...

Thanks again,

Joe

If you have the time you can purchase one of Zweihammer's helm kits. there are several armour makers near to you that may even be willing to let you come over to work on it. He has a great valsgarde 6 helm.

If you do a search for valsgarde helms on the archive here I am sure you will find that it is a beautiful helm once it is put together. And it is less than $100 even including the shipping, in both stainless and mild steel.

Lodinn

With a shameless plug for Zweihammer since I am back again from my trip to the desert and still haven't gotten my helm put together.

your really not going to do better than 120 for a helmet.

Maybe I can help...

<Rant Mode On>

jpapasso wrote:...Well another year went by and the owner decided he wanted to take it back (for reasons unknown to me)...

It was his. It actually belonged to him. It was his possession. He owned it. He was just loaning it. He always expected to get it back.

jpapasso wrote:...I finally had to part with my helm...

No, you finally had to part with his helm.

Sorry, but you hit a sore spot with me. I can't tell you how much stuff I have loaned over the years and how much was never returned---or returned damaged (and wasn't expected to be used so).

Just because a person loans an item, please don't asssume that person doesn't care about it, or doesn't want it back---in a timely fashion (or whatever has been arranged).

<Rant Mode Off>

Good luck with your quest!

Tim

PM sent, and thanks TPeterson!

Well, I want to thank you all for your replies, Ill address each one individually...

Lodinn wrote:If you have the time you can purchase one of Zweihammer's helm kits. there are several armour makers near to you that may even be willing to let you come over to work on it. He has a great valsgarde 6 helm.

If you do a search for valsgarde helms on the archive here I am sure you will find that it is a beautiful helm once it is put together. And it is less than $100 even including the shipping, in both stainless and mild steel.

Lodinn

With a shameless plug for Zweihammer since I am back again from my trip to the desert and still haven't gotten my helm put together.

Lodinn, Thanks for the advise, Ill certinally take a look at those kits. The finished helm looks awesome. The only thing holding me back now (besides the price) is the fact that it will take some work to complete aside from padding, strapping, and fitting. That is an issue as our spring practices art starting in 2 weeks, but all in all, not a big one as the finished result is prolly worth the effort.

You mentioned that there are several armor makers near me... well you are absolutely right, and I am one of them. But the only thing that I cant do in my shop is metal work, we usually outsource for that... and that outsourcing usually ends up in attempts like this one when the money is a real tight issue. Plastic, leather and other misc armors (converting mundane sports equip) is usually what I do in my shop with a few of my friends.

Wolf wrote:your really not going to do better than 120 for a helmet.

Wolf, I realize that 120 is a good price for a helm, especially when some helms can go for over $400. My intention with this post was to see if anyone has a beater helm collecting dust that they were willing to part with, or if anyone knows of a place to purchase cheap SCA legal helms. I have heard rumors that there are some pages that sell helms for less then $50, but no one I know knows exactly which webpages those are.

T. Finkas wrote:Maybe I can help...

<Rant Mode On>

jpapasso wrote:...Well another year went by and the owner decided he wanted to take it back (for reasons unknown to me)...

It was his. It actually belonged to him. It was his possession. He owned it. He was just loaning it. He always expected to get it back.

jpapasso wrote:...I finally had to part with my helm...

No, you finally had to part with his helm.

Sorry, but you hit a sore spot with me. I can't tell you how much stuff I have loaned over the years and how much was never returned---or returned damaged (and wasn't expected to be used so).

Just because a person loans an item, please don't asssume that person doesn't care about it, or doesn't want it back---in a timely fashion (or whatever has been arranged).

<Rant Mode Off>

Good luck with your quest!

Tim

Tim,
I can understand my words hitting a sore spot. I have seen loaner armor grow legs and hike across the country. When I said reasons unknown to me, I was hinting at the fact that we had an agreement that I could use the helm as long as I took care of it. Now I had assumed that by taking it back he had a member of his household in mind for it (as his household is growing rapidly lately), but he stated he didnt... thus I was unsure why he wanted it back. All in all, the reasons didnt matter to me, I was just unsure why he wanted it back.

I used the word my helm because after 2 years it did feel like mine. The entire time I had that helm, I knew it wasnt mine, and I knew it was on loan. As I said above, I know how loaner gear can walk away, never to be seen or heard from again. I never had any intentions of keeping the helm, and I knew this day would come. The only difference was I had expected to have my own helm before I turned the loaner over to its rightful owner.

Ledermann,
I have replied to your PM. Thanks.

jpapasso wrote:Hello all,

I was refered here to this list by a friend of mine...

A little background:

I joined the SCA about 2 years ago. After a few months of working my mundane skills into the world of A&S, I followed all my friends onto the Heavy Fighting field. I loved it. I soon gathered all the armor I could, making what I couldnt purchase. Well a friend of mine had to move and was in possession of a loaner helm and he entrusted me to pass it back to the rightful owner. A task which I had intended in all efforts to carry out.

I attended many practices with the helm in tow, but only to find out eventually the owner was away from SCA activities due to surgery. Well a few months went by and I finally had my own suit of armor, but no helm so I padded the loaner and proceeded to use it while shopping for my own. As life tends to get in the way I never had the money to drop on a new helm.

A year went by and I finally met the owner of this loaner helm at a practice. I told him I had been using it and he said it was ok as long as I kept it in good shape (free of rust, etc). This was music to my ears. Well another year went by and the owner decided he wanted to take it back (for reasons unknown to me). I finally had to part with my helm.

My situation:

Spring has sprung here in Colorado and its time to gear up for war. the only thing stopping me from getting on the field now is a lack of a helm. Im asking, no, pleading for anyone who has a decent, SCA-legal helm that is collecting dust and is willing to part with it. My persona is that of a "viking" (intentionally kept broad for helm purposes) if there are any helms that match that description laying about in random garages and closets, but beggars cant be choosers, and the loaner was a spun top. At this point Ill take what I can get as long as it protects my noodle. Unfortunately, life is still getting in the way and I dont have a whole lot of spare cash to offer up so my price range is rather low. If anyone can help, Please feel free to reply.

EDIT: Forgot... My hat size is about 7 1/2 if that helps, id say about 24" in circumferance (sp?), Id say I have an average sized head.

Joe

http://cgi.ebay.com/SCA-FIGHTING-HELM-P ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/SCA-Fighting-Helm_W ... dZViewItem


other than thoughs, i believe the next cheapest would be www.ashcraftbaker.com

Agnarr wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com/SCA-FIGHTING-HELM-P ... dZViewItem

Agnarr,

Thanks for the link... first word to come to mind is WOW. I wasnt really going for a great helm... But a helm is a helm for now. I will definately watch this helm and place a few bids.

Joe

jpapasso,

I would be wary of any helm listed on Ebay if it was not listed by a well know armorer. The Ashkraft Backer helms are not the best looking things but are solidly made and are much less of a gamble in the long run. Safety is our # 1 concern here, we want you (and your head) around so we can hit them with sticks!
Cheers,
Leo

PS I may have a helm for you but I need to check with the original owner to see if he wants to hold on to it any longer.

Brother Logan, thanks for your concern. I am not a great fan of ebay, and there is no listing of which armorer built that helm, but for 11 bucks (even thought Im sure it wont be 11 bucks at the end of the week) that would even make a great display piece. And that alone would be worth bidding on. If it can double as a piece of armor, terriffic.

SCA marshals armor guidelines states a helm can be no thinner then 16ga, of which this helm is made out of. I personally prefer heavy helms of 12ga, but would settle for 14ga is the helm felt good enough. beggars cant be choosers, so if this auction turns out to stay cheap, I may bid on it. I would definately not wear the helm without someone giving it a good calibration blow on a pell to see if it will dent or not.

Joe

The ebay listing states that it is a 16GA stainless helm but it weighs 6.5 pounds. I don't think thats possible, sounds like another imported 18 Ga job. I got 2 helm styles on ebay right now for $165 ending tomorrow.

Eric

Brother Logan wrote:jpapasso,

I would be wary of any helm listed on Ebay if it was not listed by a well know armorer. The Ashkraft Backer helms are not the best looking things but are solidly made and are much less of a gamble in the long run. Safety is our # 1 concern here, we want you (and your head) around so we can hit them with sticks!
Cheers,
Leo

PS I may have a helm for you but I need to check with the original owner to see if he wants to hold on to it any longer.

I wouldn't wear an Ashcraft Baker helm if it was given to me free!!! Their lack of customer service (see armory review post) is exactly what I'd expect to be put into that helm. Careless.

Now on ebay, I took a gamble on the helm I currently wear. It's "16 ga." but it's actually pretty heavy. Open-faced barbute. Plus it HASN'T been dented (yet), and I've been fighting in it for over a year. You know how much I bought it for? $65, and I'll be keeping it for a while.

Joe, the helm I'm SELLING is pretty f-in heavy and solid, but if you can score a novel off of eBay, go for it.

YIS,
-Blitz-

Agnarr wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com/SCA-Fighting-Helm_W0QQitemZ6615140416QQcategoryZ43217QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Wow, small world. I know that seller. LOL

Sorry, just got a kick outa seeing a SCA auction from my home town.

So, what period/style is the rest of your rig? Perhaps we could make better recommendations if we knew what sort of helm you were looking for? And a price range. I don't think $50.00 is a realistic range for anything I would trust to keep my friends from bashing out my gray matter unless you get a 'deal' from somebody locally.

Give us a little info, you'll be amazed at the options we can recommend.

Brucer

Ledermann,

I have read your review and I have to say it is a first. No one is perfect and no one can be mr and mrs sunshine all the time. Customer service is part of the whole pakage but in all of their years of armouring I have never seen them send out an unsafe helm. I owned one for a year and a half and that thing was built like a tank. Bottom line their customer service may stink but the product is sound.
Cheers,
Leo

jpapasso wrote:

Agnarr wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com/SCA-FIGHTING-HELM-P ... dZViewItem

Agnarr,

Thanks for the link... first word to come to mind is WOW. I wasnt really going for a great helm... But a helm is a helm for now. I will definately watch this helm and place a few bids.

Joe

I have a helm that looks exactly like that, that I bought off of ebay 3 years ago. I am not sure if it is the same seller or Manf. or not, but mine has been a very solid helm. I got it for about 70$.

brucer wrote:So, what period/style is the rest of your rig? Perhaps we could make better recommendations if we knew what sort of helm you were looking for? And a price range. I don't think $50.00 is a realistic range for anything I would trust to keep my friends from bashing out my gray matter unless you get a 'deal' from somebody locally.

Give us a little info, you'll be amazed at the options we can recommend.

Brucer

Brucer,
my persona is Viking, as I prefer to use a centergrip round shield, and I like Viking lore. I havent exactly settled on a time period, as since I have only been in the SCA for a few years, my garb and armor is what ever I have collected in that time. Now for my armor, Id say 90% of it is covered by fabric, as 80% of my armor is mundane sports equip, modified for saftey reasons and extra protection (explained below). The only armor that is exposed are my arms from the elbow to finger tips and my head from neck to crown.

Of that exposed armor, my arms are steel reinforced leather with steel elbow cops, and my gloves are lacrosse gloves with a coating of chainmail (to both make them look period and add extra protection). My gorget is hardened leather with knotwork painted onto it (to make it look more vikingish) and the loaner helm I had was a spun-top. My tabard is an oversized black T-tunic. My tourney tabard has fur remants in an inverted triangle (from shoulders to waist), and my practice tabard has grey fabric where the fur is on my tourney one. The pants I wear vary depending on which garb pants I have clean, but they are an upholstery fabric with reinforced seams. Mostly in earth tones (browns, greens, etc).

See pics below for examples. These pics are older, but I dont have any recent ones.
(in the top Pic... Those pants have since blown out (they were a lightweight fabric), and I have replaced that shield with a alum centergrip. I also am using a baskethilted sword so I was just using a pair of Mechanix gloves. I no longer use basket hilts as I prefer to be able to swap out to great weapons and thus the modified lacrosse gloves).

Of the non exposed armor, my chest/body armor is a set of lacrosse shoulderpads with pickle barrel plastic plates sewn to it extending down to just below my waist. My leg armor is a pair of hockey pants (with plastic inner plates, not the foam pants) with extra pickle barrel plastic plates sewn onto them to provide extra protection, and my lower leg armor is a pair of catcher leg guards with steel plates attached to the sides to protect the knees.

Hope that helps. I intended to be broad before because I really couldnt narrow it down any as I personally havent narrowed anything about my persona down. I am still researching the vikings to decide where exactly I want to put myself. I have always intended to get more period gear as I defined my persona, but right now, I will take what I can get just to get onto the field (and still be alive to walk off).

jpapasso wrote:...When I said reasons unknown to me, I was hinting at the fact that we had an agreement that I could use the helm as long as I took care of it. Now I had assumed that by taking it back he had a member of his household in mind for it (as his household is growing rapidly lately), but he stated he didnt... thus I was unsure why he wanted it back. All in all, the reasons didnt matter to me, I was just unsure why he wanted it back.

Just guessing but maybe he wanted it back to motivate you to get your own armour. Loaning armour is one thing but after 2 years I would think that one could save up enough money to purchase a helm.

2yrs= 24months, save $10 a month = $240.00 = a pretty nice helm.