Who's making armets nowadays?

OurDecay · Post by **OurDecay** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 1:03 pm

(does that rhyme?)

I have suit of milanese plate that is disturbingly lacking a helmet. The harness is a stainless, non-polished (see pictures under "Armour" forum) finish from Westlig Stjerne. I would be interested in purchasing an Earl of Warwick style armet in a similar material. An integral gorget OR a wrapper plate/rondel arrangement would be equally acceptable. Time frame is not critical. Anybody have suggestions?

If I could somehow grab one for under $800 that would be nice, but I realize that is "iffy".

Thanks!

Ryan

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 1:33 pm

Did you ask WS if they'd do it? It's likely that they would be willing to.

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

OurDecay · Post by **OurDecay** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 1:40 pm

Yeah Matt, I've sent them three emails, but they haven't returned any of them. (pretty weird, given my very happy history with them) The last time they responded to an email of mine it was very short and rushed. Their wait is up to 24-26 weeks now (after they just added two more armourers) so I'm guessing they're swamped. We DID talk in January about him making a prototype armet for his own kit and that he MIGHT consider making one for purchase...but every time I have mentioned it since I've been met with silence. They've been having computer problems too...so maybe that's the deal.

Obviously Olaf and crew would be my first choice. They'd probably even have the best price. But it is still unknown if they would be willing to do it...armets are pretty complicated.

So basically I'm operating on the assumption that they're too busy to do it, and am curious about who else makes them. If nothing else, I might find some interesting patterns and ideas.

Take care,

Ryan

The Lost Scott · Post by **The Lost Scott** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 1:47 pm

Hre you go http://www.thadenarmory.com

LS

[This message has been edited by The Lost Scott (edited 06-20-2001).]

Payn · Post by **Payn** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 1:49 pm

at the symposium in SF i met a guy who has this site
http://www.ironwolfarmouries.com/catalogue/helms.html

I was VERY impressed with what I saw of his work and have since ordered a set of 14th cent finger gaunts in carbon steel from him. Check out his gallery to see some of his work and send him an e-mail. He has armet's listed as one of the helmets he does, and his prices are extremely reasonable.

Fritz

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 1:49 pm

Actually they've just been putting their shop and things back together after some renovations and reorganization aimed at making things more efficient.

They're not super quick with e-mails unless you're upset about something. But you can almost always reach them by phone during regular business hours. Don't forget they're talkative so allow a bit of time for the phone call.

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

OurDecay · Post by **OurDecay** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 1:56 pm

Thanks, guys. :-)

I was waiting for day with enough hours free to call!

I noticed that Iron Wolf site earlier this week. I'm intrigued. Very intrigued.

DAMN, LS...I saw that a few weeks ago and thought it was a misprint! Holy sh*t! $300?!? And I even love the style. I wonder if they'd do stainless? Hmmmm...must check out. Thanks!!!

Ryan

The Lost Scott · Post by **The Lost Scott** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 2:07 pm

I don't think he does stainless yet, that has been my curse finding some one who works in stainless that does real good work and doesn't charge an extreeme fourtune.

LS

JJ Shred · Post by **JJ Shred** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 2:43 pm

I'd suggest a fellow in Arizona named James Gillespie. He made my frog-faced grand bascinet, mitten gauntlets and angel wing pauldrons that are on the page from that link I posted in Off-Topics/Mackenzie-Smith.
He also made a beautiful armet for Victor which is also on our site a couple of places, one with Victor wearing it & one with me wearing it, though I don't remember where off-hand. (There are only the 2 armets on our site.) He charged us between $600.00 - $700.00 per helmet, but it would be more for stainless. My e-mail is screwy right now, so if you are interested, post here and I will e-mail you his phone number. He has no computer.

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Virtus vincit invidiam
"Virtue overcometh envy"

Gundo · Post by **Gundo** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 2:47 pm

I can do a stainless armet for the same price as I would high-carbon, but it'd be a long time coming.

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Gundobad,
Wise Ogre Armory
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Sanity is very rare. Every man almost, and every woman, has a dash of madness - R.W. Emerson

A position worth taking, is worth defending.

OurDecay · Post by **OurDecay** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 2:52 pm

Thanks for the info, Gundo...did you do Joaquin's armet? It looks very similar to the one on your site.

Ryan

Morgan · Post by **Morgan** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 4:16 pm

I don't know if Thaden does stainless...but ask him, he's a good guy. He's Armour Bob on here, by the way.

OurDecay · Post by **OurDecay** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 4:18 pm

I emailed him.

Thanks, Morgan.

Alec · Post by **Alec** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 5:25 pm

Nice harness. Well in the spirit of 'its not an armet but you might still be interested . . .' I just finished a mid 15C style cellata. Its polished mild steel, 13 ga top with a 14 ga skirt. Its patterned after the helmet associated with the Galleazo da Arco suit in the Churburg catalogue -- squarish face opening, deep sides, rolled edge, medial comb. I'm asking $400. E-mail me at alec_4@lycos.com and I can send pictures.

Krag · Post by **Krag** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 7:33 pm

I saw the Thaden helm a few weeks back at Steppes Warlord. I don't know if it's the same armet, but the one they had out was pretty nice with clean edges and lines.

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Krag von Berghen
KragAxe Armoury

Member's Pics

Gundo · Post by **Gundo** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 10:22 pm

Yes. It is the armet pictured on my site.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by OurDecay:
Thanks for the info, Gundo...did you do Joaquin's armet? It looks very similar to the one on your site.

Ryan<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

------------------
Gundobad,
Wise Ogre Armory
Wise Ogre Pic of the Day
Wise Ogre Armory T-shirts & more

Sanity is very rare. Every man almost, and every woman, has a dash of madness - R.W. Emerson

A position worth taking, is worth defending.

JJ Shred · Post by **JJ Shred** » Sat Jun 23, 2001 12:35 am

Here is the armet and wrapper I referred to. There are three pictures with text:

http://monsieurgeoffrey.faithweb.com/photo5.html

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Virtus vincit invidiam
"Virtue overcometh envy"

[This message has been edited by Bascot (edited 06-23-2001).]

Cedric · Post by **Cedric** » Sat Jun 23, 2001 9:38 am

I think that 24-26 weeks for Westlig Stjerne is being overly optimistic. I have been waiting on an order since August...

Cedric

OurDecay · Post by **OurDecay** » Sun Jun 24, 2001 8:05 pm

Really?

That IS odd. The harness I'm wearing in the pictures was ordered in early July, and received in mid-January. I know they had a flurry of orders right after I got mine in, but since you're at 10 months right now something seems awry.

Olaf and Thorfinna were always exceptionally good at keeping me informed on adjusted delivery dates and explaining the process. Phone calls were always quickly returned, and I got the answers I needed. I *was* way past my quoted wait (8-12 weeks for me, was actually like 26) but I was cool with it because they maintained a good line of communication.

What did you order from them, by the way?

Cedric · Post by **Cedric** » Mon Jun 25, 2001 11:05 am

I ordered a stainless/brass spangenhelm to replace my current rust-bucket.

I know that they just did a bunch of work on their shop, and from reading this board it would seem they are in the process of adding a computer controlled plasma cutter which should really speed things up.

Also from what I have been told they prefer to communicate by phone with email as a backup and Im just the opposite (someone had better be dieing if you expect me to call you.. particularly if I get an answering machine).

I have not lost patience, I just wish I could have gotten the new helm in time to show it off at the few events I am actually going to this year.

Im gonna look spiffy for next year, though...

Cedric

Brodir · Post by **Brodir** » Mon Jun 25, 2001 4:47 pm

If anyone is interested, I'm going to a war this weekend where Iron Wolf Armouries will be merchanting, I can take a look & review if there's any interest. Probably purchase at least a sword cup or SOMETHING

Broðir