Vendel-inspired helm in progres

[Milos N.]

Once upon a time (some 2-3 years ago) I wanted to build a helmet for my SCA-like group, but when I got the scull bolted togeather, it didn't fit. It was just too short for sufficient padding. So it was left rusting in mys stahsh for a while. Then, one day, a friend of mine and I decided to make some loaner spangenhelms for Varangian-like LARP gruop, out of leather and steel. I know that the helms from Vendel are 3-4 centuries older than the Varangians, but it's LARP, and people will find it cool, as those are more commonly accepted as Viking helms by Joe Public and his gang. Eventualy, I pulled the rusty helmet out of my one-day-it-will-be-finished stash, cut the lower half of the horizontal strip, dissasembled it, cleaned it, and added some Vendel-inspired occularia. So there will be an all-steel one and some leather spangenhelms to let us draw more conscripts.


So far, the plates and the lower part of the occularia are 1.5mm, nasal is 2mm, other pieces are 1mm. I am still thinkinking replacing all of the bands with somehing thicker (and of better craftsmanship, as these so poorly made that I'd be ashamed to admit I made them). All parts that are blued are rough from the hammer, others will be sanded, probably to some kind of sathin finish.

Now, here's the trick. The plates are baked blue in an oven, but the color is not that uniform. Do you have any idea how to make color more even? Also any advice, critique or comments would be very appreciatrd (sp!?).

[kersme]

I like it

200 views and no comments?

[Abom]

I like It allso

[Milos N.]

Thanks guys. I've needed some support. If I get down to the shop this weekend, I'll finish the helm by monday. Also, I've accidently switched to black. When I tried to polish the 2 ill-blued plates, I found out that the paste I use, turned blue to black, so I've blackened all of the plates, and in such a way that they look used.

[whonew]

thanks for the pics and keep up the good work . I added a 1/4 inch flare to the eye opening for detail . It adds a little drama!

[Milos N.]

That's the flare on the lower part of the browband? Sounds interesting. I might try it, as the plate is faitly thin.