Light weight aluminum armor

Duke Icefalcon · Post by **Duke Icefalcon** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:42 am

I am thinking of producing some lightweight aluminum armor for folks who are being weight conscious...

Would anyone be interested? I should have some samples for Pennsic.

See you all there!

morristh · Post by **morristh** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:08 am

Ok then, I will speak up since no one else has :lol:

I would like to see some aluminum armors. As far as I know Sir Brand is the only major player in the aluminum field. Of specific interest would be like CoP plates (kits) maybe a Corrizina. Certianly Gauntlets would be a plus. I think there is a market for these things. And yeah I know that there are some on here that think I have just commited the unforgivable sin, but weight DOES matter to some for various reasons, including medical ones.

Just my opinion.

Tim

brucer · Post by **brucer** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:00 am

I think there is a market for aluminum armour out there- certainly if the plastic corizina (sp?) kits get all that attention, aluminum would be good alternative. I have built and fought in Aluminum armour in the past, it's a great choice for light weight and low maintenance. I just don't like to see it polished to the blinding mirror finish that so many like, and I have not had great luck with long term articulation on knees (they crack due to stress from our "fight from your knees" convention) The main area that I would like to see aluminum used in is gauntlets- I have been eyeing sir brands gauntlets on ebay for some time. And Aluminum body armour is like wearing almost nothing, at least in regards to weight.

my .02 pence

Brucer

DAVID01 · Post by **DAVID01** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:13 am

OK before I give my opinion on aluminum Armour I know there will be those who love to point and say "OH A ME TOO" or aluminum is NOT historically correct. I think Morrish is right about the weight thing, there ARE a lot of people who can't carry the extra weight of steel. I also think that aluminum looks very nice. I don't know if it would be practical for SCA or any other combat but just for show I'd love to see something like a full suit of German gothic in it. I love to collect helms of all different medieval and pre-medieval eras and would have no problem with them being made of aluminum. The only Problem I have is finding money on a tight budget as I see many here do also

. I started getting involved in Armour because of the movies and stories I have heard and see in my life, I thought it was all so cool and that is why I got involved with the archive. I never expected to make enemies with ANYONE just because I like something they don't BUT as I see there are a few here who don't speak to me anymore or even include me in their little games, I guess I have made several. I just want those to know that just because we don't see eye to eye on everything doesn't mean that I am not someone that unworthy of getting to know. Sure I came here with only an idea of the fantasy side of this hobby but I have learned a lot about the correct way Armour was made and presented as well as the clothing worn under it which I never even thought of before. With all this said, I will still like the fun of the fantasy that brought me to love the whole idea in the first place.

END OF RANT, sorry Sir Andreas Eisfalke I didn't mean to sidetrack your thread. As to answer your Question...YES I would be VERY interested, I just wish I could be at Pennsic to see what you have. I was going to be there until the gas prices skyrocketed. My wife's family all live up there and we were going to stay Aug. through Dec. Looks like its off for know though :cry:

. Take care and have fun up there for me.

David

DAVID01 · Post by **DAVID01** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:16 am

brucer wrote: I just don't like to see it polished to the blinding mirror finish that so many like
Brucer

Yeah, but just think of what it would do to blind your opponent could you imagine a shield pollished to a mirror, in the sun :twisted:

Bedlam · Post by **Bedlam** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:35 pm

Gauntlets.

DAVID01 · Post by **DAVID01** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:55 pm

Bedlam wrote:Gauntlets.

YES finger gaunts...polished to a mirror finish,YEEEEEHAAAAW

Ceddie · Post by **Ceddie** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:14 pm

Good articulation. Knees and elbows.

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:43 pm

I'd be tempted to check out a good 15c breast and back plate made from aluminum...

Duke Icefalcon · Post by **Duke Icefalcon** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 2:10 pm

We will probably start with elbows, knees and breastplates. I do not want to step on Sir Brand's toes, so I will try not to do the exact same patterns as he does. He is a nice fella....

Like everything else, it will get better the more we do it. Feel free to give me feedback on what you like and do not like about what we make.

Be well..........

Sir Thorfinn · Post by **Sir Thorfinn** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 2:28 pm

Sir Andreas,
I have seen a number of excellent armor pieces in Aluminum over the years, I say go for it, and expand your merchandise line.
My only caviat, and mind you, this is "my opinion", I do not care for aluminum gauntlets, as they just don't last. They get banged up, and most people will not repair/reshape them, so they become unsafe...however, from a merchant point of view, this means a constant revenue source from replacements....

good luck!

Thorfinn

Vermin · Post by **Vermin** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:08 am

" Good articulation. Knees and elbows. "

Good GOD Ceddie, unless you are VERY careful about dropping to your knees EVERY time, how long is a set of alum knees going to last YOU?

I never used those things for a reason!
Had a set, they deformed rather quickly, as others have mentioned.
And I'm nowhere near your size.

Now, elbows, breastplates and gaunts?
That's another story.
Though with gaunts, I'd think about maybe adding some steel lames where they get hit the most, because they WILL deform with heavy use.
Oh, how intimately I know this.......

VvS

Ceddie · Post by **Ceddie** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:18 am

Good GOD Ceddie, unless you are VERY careful about dropping to your knees EVERY time, how long is a set of alum knees going to last YOU?

well, the set I have now is about 11 years old I had to rework the right at about 9 years.
I just want a set that match. If I could get arms that matched the legs then I prolly could get another 2-3 years outa what I got.[/b]

Henry of Bexley · Post by **Henry of Bexley** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:39 pm

If you do aluminum in period shapes, why not? In my experiments with the stuff, though, it has proven very hard to do compund curves.

DAVID01 · Post by **DAVID01** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:11 pm

Hey I might be able to get my hands on some aircraft aluminum, would it work for armour or would it be too brittle?

GuntherofOrkney · Post by **GuntherofOrkney** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:23 pm

I will start with a an apology to Sir Andreas because I work with Sir Brand at http://thearmourstore.com somtimes. Brand does make gauntlets and they are awesome to fight with.(personal experience.) Sir Brand does not make body armor out of aluminum.(besides greek muscled breastplates) So I will like to see what Andreas comes up with.

Aluminum is the best option for people who want sporty armor but still look good. The armor in the movie Excalibur was all made from aluminum.

The concern that aluminum armor doesnt last...well we use 10th inch thick 6061 t6 aluminum,which is the same as most shields,thicker then some. I have never seen any of our armor become unusable,hell I never seen it smashed,just slightly dented.

Duke Icefalcon · Post by **Duke Icefalcon** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:33 pm

I would suggest getting your gaunts from Sir Brand. He has been doing them for a while and knows what he is doing. We will endevour to try not to cross patterns with his designs.

We will try this out and see how it works....

Be Well.........

Vebrand · Post by **Vebrand** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:37 am

You know, I have been fighting for about 5 years in aluminum legs with knees and they have held up very, very well. I hide them now-a-days under pants but they are very effective for SCA fighting.

Vebrand