The Armour Archive

Point blank: my wife and I have a damned good idea of what's authentic and what's not. But if we tried to rival the average truly authentic kit first time out, the economics of it would take us right out of the field.

There's a danger in insisting that one should start with inauthentic pieces of clothing, because it tends to make one accept too many inaccuracies far, far down the road when one should be in good gear, and there's a danger in insisting on too much accuracy up front: unless you've got loads of time, work for a dot-com, or are a successful businessman/tradesman, most folks simply don't ahve the funds for totally perfect gear first time out. My wife certainly knows what authentic clothes are, too, having done her dissertation on them. But she and most of her hungarian friends from academia have a tendency to get real bitter knowing what they should be doing, and not being able to do it. (granted, that should change soon for us, now that we're earning american money; I'm somewhat willing to take the field in not-quite-perfect gear, just to play, my wife's still not willing to show up until it's right on the money and done right -- which is why most of you Ansteorrans haven't met us yet).

Chef, et. al., since we know from previous posts that kits have also been improved over time, what would you consider to be a general good timeline for obtaining gear, and then perhaps what should be an accelerated timeline for somebody you'd call serious?

Well, I'm a bad one to answer this one (but since I'm interested in the answer I'll post if for no other reason than to be a long winded BUMP) since I have been intermitantly working on my kit for several years now and have attended very few events because I do not feel ready yet.

However, It strikes me that a predefined timeline is an impossible goal since some opt for being a commoner and other go for a grander station nobel or the odd personna that takes more work. What is possible is however is a minimum first kit (of which I think your controled and acknowledged discrepencies is a fine model to take) and a commitment to have at least one improvement at every event you attend. Perhaps its a belt pouch, or a new kaftan or shoes, or a new brooch or tentage. What ever it is, big or small you always have one thing that gets you closer.

I think if you take this tact you will find yourself closer to you end goal much sooner than you might otherwise find yourself if you just say, in 6 months I'll have period shoes, in 12 months I'll have a yurt. The other benefit to this practice is that there is no "end goal" to reach. That means that what ever you might have originally decided as the level you wanted to get to, will just be one more event. The next event past that, it will be even better. This will set a habit of improvement and research that will feed on itself.

Now, we shall see if I can do the same.


J

Just as a By-the-Way Yall --

At the Kaganate - I put up some clothing articles and should be putting at least one more up within the day.

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Norman J. Finkelshteyn
Armour of the Silk Road - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/3505
The Silk Road Designs Armoury - http://www.enteract.com/~silkroad
Jewish Warriors - http://www.geocities.com/jewishwarriors
The Red Kaganate - http://www.geocities.com/kaganate
silkroad@spam.operamail.com (remove "spam" from e-mail to make it work)

Hi Russ,

Most groups that I know of allow a year to get basic kit (please read minimum clothing here - we are not talking a full harness and complete set of goodies, we are talking a shirt, braies, hose, doublet, belt, shoes, hat & pouch for a man, and shift, underdress, headcloth, belt, purse, shoes for a woman). They also tend to accumulate spare gear to help outfit newcomers.

Most allow machine stitching on anything that isn't obvious. All insist on wool or linen - no blends. Most groups also have sessions where new members can be helped with making their kit. Some people can make practically their whole kit, and some will have to buy most of their gear.

As an example, were you in our region and interested in Wolfe Argent, we could put you into a doublet, hose, shirt & shoes without your going out and buying - assuming you could fit into the spare gear. One of our projects for this year is to make some very basic clothing in a variety of sizes specifically to be loaner gear.

As a group we strive for 100% (not that it can be realistically obtained), are happy with 80% authenticity, and will settle for 60% -70% with the eventual intent to increase the level as we go along. Personally, there is very little of my own kit that I am entirely happy with, and I constantly try to improve bits as the means arise. It is the striving that makes the difference I think.

It is easier to say what we don't allow - synthetic fabric, incorrect patterns, modern footwear, kit inappropriate to station portrayed - anything glaringly obvious (to us). A thing to keep in mind is you can never be 100%, but you aren't even on the path if you dont go out and try. Say to yourself "this doublet is 75% of where I would like to be - the next one will be better" - then put that into practise and make a new one as soon as practiable. If you are completely comfortable with where you are at, you are no longer on the path.

An accelerated timeline I would say is about six months - again, for basic gear. Never "settle" regarding the quality of your kit, only "settle" regarding quantitiy. I made due with doublet and hose for three years befor I could afford an overgown of the type I needed - my doublet and hose are in acceptable parameters. I waited and got what I could not make within acceptable standards, rather than settleing for something chaeper - both in cost and quality.

Make what you can make well and accurately, purchase from professionals what you cannot. Many people make everything, and some of theior kit is fabulous, and other bits are eyesores. Knowing your own limitations is one of the keys to doing this sort of thing well.

Sorry for the long ramble, but I hope it was helpful.

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Bob R.

"Make what you can make well and accurately, purchase from professionals what you cannot. Many people make everything, and some of theior kit is fabulous, >>>and other bits are eyesores. Knowing your own limitations is one of the keys to doing this sort of thing well.<<<

Point well made. Both of us can make some neat stuff, but when we pound on iron we only succeed in making both us and the iron mad! I can see wood grain, am starting to understand leather, am getting better at copper alloy casting, BUT I CAN'T DO A THING WITH IRON!!! I could spend a year learning to raise a helm out of one piece, or spend a 1/2 to a week's salary for a perfect one. Sometimes it is more economical to leave certain tasks to the masters.

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Virtus vincit invidiam
"Virtue overcometh envy"

Nice replies: thank you.

We're pretty sure about sewing (I THINK I can sew, we'll find out if I'm right...), and acceptable in leather.. am slowly learning the ways of metal. Thirsting for a kiln, actually, because shaping the metal is hard, but I spent two years in college playing with kilns for fun...