looking for review of Valentine breastplate

[mike mercier]

I was hoping to find someone that has some first hand knowledge of this breastplate offered by Valentine Armouries. Although it is imported from India, I trust Valentine and the products they offer. However, the cautious person that I am, I have to find someone that either owns it or has handled it.

It is the "one piece breastplate" on this page http://www.varmouries.com/vcat_parts.html its the second item down. Its only $120 and is 16 gauge steel with the strappings. However, I am looking for a 1350-1450 era breastplate for fighting, but cant go over $150. I dont think I have many other options.

Mike

[Murdock]

It's mild it'll dent. It is cheap though.


I have one of the rough ones he sells for like $50, i plan on rebuilding my corizina one day.

Get that and fininsh it yourself.

[Kel Rekuta]

I was hoping to find someone that has some first hand knowledge of this breastplate offered by Valentine Armouries. Although it is imported from India, I trust Valentine and the products they offer. However, the cautious person that I am, I have to find someone that either owns it or has handled it.

It is the "one piece breastplate" on this page http://www.varmouries.com/vcat_parts.html its the second item down. Its only $120 and is 16 gauge steel with the strappings. However, I am looking for a 1350-1450 era breastplate for fighting, but cant go over $150. I dont think I have many other options.

Mike

I've handled three of them, including an unfinished one. Fair value for the price. Pretty nice finish really.

Unfortunately its too long in the waist for anyone under 6'4" tall, IMHO. Take off the welded flared bottom edge, a couple inches off each side: it might be made to resemble a late 14th C breastplate. I certainly know enough people trying to modify some to fit. If you can alter it to fit with your own tools, you could probably make one as cheaply. If you have to pay someone to do it, the purchase price plus alterations might cost more than just ordering one made to fit you.

Dents are part of the game. Armour is a consumable commodity. If you don't like dents, buy a mallet, make a sandbag and beat them back out. Eventually, you'll learn to avoid stopping heavy blows with your chest or decide to buy a heavier or better made breastplate. Well that's my opinion anyway.

[mike mercier]

chest hits have neber been a problem for me, so Im not too worried about dents. I have access to some wonderful sheetmetal working equipment at the hanger where I work so I could probably modify it.

I did find one sold through le troll at http://ww2.letrollauxtrousses.com:8081/ ... cts_id=838

Ive heard mixed things about their stuff. Can anyone think of a better place to go for a breastplate for that price?

Mike

[St. George]

If you have access to sheet metal tools, get a rough from the hammer breastplate from Cet/ Dave Rylak.

I think he charges around $50-60 for a stainless one.

you should be able to PM him easily here on the Armour Archive. he is great to work with.

Alaric