My new 3/4 Arms

[Sir Brian]

These are the 3/4 leather arms I purchased from Viking Leather Crafts:
http://www.vikingleathercrafts.com/catalog/index.php?osCsid=99e0500f6e2884da737341ce7dd07e0e

They fit well enough and don't bind or impede motion any more than the old lacrosse arm pads I wore yet has the distinct advantage of not putting pressure on my tennis elbow which is why I purchased them however I am a little disappointed in the general design of the elbow cops and I have some reservations about it's overall durability for WMA, but I will find out soon enough.

[Ian]

They look great!  Frank is awesome to deal with at Viking Leathercrafts.  I guess it would be tricky to shape leather to truly mirror a normal steel elbow cop design.

On a side note, how are you enjoying the Albion Meyer?  Why did you choose it over the Liechtenauer and how is it holding up?  KoA has a A&A Fechterspiel in stock, which is very similar to the Meyer, and I'm curious if people are enjoying that style ricasso over the shoulderless style.

[Thorsteinn]

I'm more concerned with those gauntlets protectiveness. What are they padded with?

Oh... can we see them in the full kit for the best look?

-Ivan

[SirNathanQ]

Looking good Sir Brian, a fine aqquisition! 

[Sir Brian]

On a side note, how are you enjoying the Albion Meyer?  Why did you choose it over the Liechtenauer and how is it holding up?  KoA has a A&A Fechterspiel in stock, which is very similar to the Meyer, and I'm curious if people are enjoying that style ricasso over the shoulderless style.

I LOVE my Albion Meyer! When I was shopping around for a steel practice sword I wanted to make sure I really liked what I would drop over $500 on. Sir Edward has both the Albion Meyer and the A&A Fechterspiel which he brought along with him to VARF last year and let me try out both of them in the Parking lot. A fellow MASHS student has the Liechtenauer and he let me try that as well and I liked the Meyer the best. For me it has the best balance. The Liechtenauer would be my second choice and the Fechterspiel the third choice because I found it feel a bit more blade heavy than the Albions.

I'm more concerned with those gauntlets protectiveness. What are they padded with?

I just use those gauntlets for practice on the pell and not so much for dueling since I have regular leather gloves and no padding protection with them. I may have to use them though if Sir Edward and I get to do that Longsword demonstration at VARF this year, or I can wear my crappy steel clamshell gauntlets. 

Oh... can we see them in the full kit for the best look?  

Probably not anytime soon as those arms are predominantly going to be used for WMA and my kit is in various stages of repair/rework.

[Allan Senefelder]

Brian, they look sweet. Frank's a great guy to deal with, a real straight shooter. You're not the only guy I know who's down with the green leather.  A few years back a guy in our local WMA school Jimmy Steiner asked us to make him a 14th century gorget and splinted greaves with a green leather backing so theres a green brother from another mother out there.

[Sir William]

Sir Brian, those are looking good.  I have but one question- you do own other colors besides green for clothing, right?  Those look like pajama pants...I'm just sayin. 

[Sir Brian]

Brian, they look sweet. Frank's a great guy to deal with, a real straight shooter. You're not the only guy I know who's down with the green leather.  A few years back a guy in our local WMA school Jimmy Steiner asked us to make him a 14th century gorget and splinted greaves with a green leather backing so theres a green brother from another mother out there.

Hehe, very cool! Now that I know you can do the gorget and splinted in green leather backing I can make sure I request it from you when it comes time to replace my current ones! 
And yes Frank is fantastic to deal with, very good with communication and delivery. I just hope these arms hold up to the rigors of combat.

Sir Brian, those are looking good.  I have but one question- you do own other colors besides green for clothing, right?  Those look like pajama pants...I'm just sayin. 

Sure I wear other colors…that compliment my green!
Oh and I’ll have you know those are not pajama pants…according to current fashion they are Mall or Walmart shopping pants! 

[Sir William]

Not WalMart shopping pants!!!!

You shame me, Sir Brian.  I have a very similar pair...done in Giants blue and red...but I have never worn them out of the house, I swear it!  Did think of doing it...I mean, how different is it from going out in your braies and hosen?  About the same amount of protection there...lol

[Sir Patrick]

We're not going to be seeing a green-leather armoured, pajama-pant-sporting knight on "people of wal-mart.com" anytime soon, are we?  I'm pretty sure that sort of thing can get you kicked out of the Order

[Sir Brian]

Well if you do I'll be sure to wear either my great helm or my bascinet with the visor down so my face won't be seen!

[Sir William]

Just in case, we should be vigilant, eh RK?

[Sir Edward]

So far most of the folks I know in our area really prefer the Albion Meyer over the other choices. It simply has the best overall feel and balance. I consider the A&A Fechterspiel a close second. I have both of those.

Here's my impression of each:

• A&A Fechterspiel: I bought this one first, and it was just fine. No complaints at all. It's a little more stiff than the Albion Meyer, so I usually use this one as my harnessfechten sword now. The slightly more stiff blade performs better in half-swording.
  
  
• Albion Meyer: When Albion brought out 10 of these to WMAW a few years ago, VAF students ended up accounting for at least 5 of them. We all loved them. It's agile, performs well. The wider ricasso doesn't make as big of a difference as you might expect. The blade is relatively stiff in the middle, and more flexible toward the end, adding to safety in the thrust. But it's a little less-good for half-swording in armor. If anything, the crossguard is almost a little too wide, sometimes getting in your way. But once you're used to it, this doesn't become a factor much anymore, and can sometimes be used to your advantage.
  
  
• Albion Liechtenauer:  I don't recommend this one for unarmored bouting. It's great for drilling, or stage performance, etc, since the blade has more of a real "sword blade" look to it and will have the right feel in the bind. However, the edges are considerably thinner than the other two trainers, and if you're geared up in just gambesons, someone can get hurt. With armor, this isn't as much of a concern, and it will behave more like a real sword when half-swording. It's also a little less lively and more blade heavy than the Meyer.
  
  

[Sir William]

I think I am glad that I have not reached the point you have, Sirs Edward and Brian, w/regard to needing such high quality trainers.

[Sir Wolf]