helmet parts

eric j woods · Post by **eric j woods** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 6:56 pm

Would anyone be able to tell me where (other than Ironmonger) I might be able to get helm parts? I am going to be ordering the tops from Dave Rylak, and I am mostly interested in face grills or such. I would like to create a vendel style helm, so mabey sca approved occulars or facial piece might be cool also. Thank you all in advance for your time and info,

Erik

Konstantin the Red · Post by **Konstantin the Red** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:27 pm

Could we get some idea of what your shop capabilities and experience are? It seems you intend kit-building, which suggests you've got welding or riveting pretty well down. And that leads us to inquire what you've got for forming metal with, and cutting it.

eric j woods · Post by **eric j woods** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:57 pm

I have mostly done leather armour, some steel spaulders and elbows. This would be my 3rd try at a helm, (the first one made a pretty neat strawberry planter for my wife, but it was intended to be a woven top helm vendel/valsgarde style) hence the reason I ordered the tops from Dave Rylak. I have access to harbor freight brand beverly shears,or a good jigsaw with metal blades when I'm in a pinch. Our baronial Knight (Sir Tascius) made 4 helms recently for new fighters, all of which required no welding, just rivets. Thats where this idea springs from. My tool arsenal includes many hammers, dishing stump, planishing/forming stake, drill press, buffers,grinders,belt sanders etc. If I would truely get stuck there are several armourers locally that I could physically go to for guidence, but this is a kind of "my helm, I made it" type of quest. So far I have made all the armour I wear, it's never failed and actually has gotton some compliments. Once the facial area is decided and the tops arrive, the rest is fairly strait forward. Thank you for your reply and time,

Erik

Eyvandr · Post by **Eyvandr** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:08 pm

How about the helmet kit from Zwihammer. Take the top and then modify the rest.

eric j woods · Post by **eric j woods** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:24 pm

Thats a good idea, the only problem is that as of a few monthes ago, two of the fighters in the household I belong to have the Zweihammer kit helm already. I'm really looking for something that none of my friends have, something original or out of the ordinary. We have the two kit helms, a roman helm, a crusader barrel helm, a custom woven top valsgarde, and a few home built styles as well. I know that all helms will have to be similar to some other one sooner or later, but even if I could blue some parts, get a few brass accents or such, that would be what I want. This facial protection is tougher than I thought. Thank you so much for your time, and all ideas will definately help.

Erik

Ingvarr · Post by **Ingvarr** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:25 pm

http://www.quietpress.com/helms.html#SH

Tascius · Post by **Tascius** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:11 pm

Ha caught you!

Hold off on the helm top parts. I just looked in the shed and I still have the halves of a 13g Rylac stainless round top helm set. I have four SCA and three re-cre helms. (Plus the five loner helms) I really don't need another helm. The halves are yours, I would love to see them used. You just need to buy the drill bits.

As I remember the helm you wanted to make is the Vendel 14 as seen on this page.
http://www.vikingsna.org/HelmResearch/Vendel/vendel.htm

The parts for the face are easy and the back can be made as a slat back helm. All the brass needed is available from Raymonds Quiet Press.

The only issue is the bar grill. I suggest using perferated plate and then putting a beard and thick braided mustache in the opening of the face plate. This would hide the perferated plate everywhere except the eyes.

Halberds · Post by **Halberds** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:37 pm

I have a sca spangen kit. You dish, shape and rivet together.
I also have a dress spangen newbie kit.

Many kits abound on the forum.

Have you thought about a Crusaders Great Helm?

Hal

eric j woods · Post by **eric j woods** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:05 pm

Thank you to everyone who responded with their answers and suggestions. All were very good ideas. With Sir Tascius' reply, the search is over. I know I can build this now, and his ideas will be invaluable. Not to mention he is the one who trains us and I'm at his house fairly regularly when practice is happening. I will be sure to post a picture when this is finished to show everyone what was done. Again, thank you all, and I will be sure to let others know what is available on this forum, as far as advice, sales, etc.