New Year, New Kits

[Sir Robert]

LOL, yes sorry my bad, they are

[Sir William]

SWEET.  Was pretty sure but you never know...I'd hate to have found out they were cod pieces or something.  lol

[Sir Robert]

OK news! I finished the majority of my new kit. I must say it looks awesome...ok I am bragging a bit, but its by far the most complex thing I have built thus far.

I will be posting pictures soon. I decided to wear it to a California Faire next weekend. (Can you just imagine taking this on a flight?) I will ship it out on Monday to Cal.

I am excited because this also represented completly new forging methods as well, a new finish style, new strappings and again lots of plates.....

[Sir Robert]

As promised here are my pics:

[Sir Brian]

OMG! 
That looks fantastic Robert! Well done indeed! You most definitely have every right to brag about that most excellent harness which you forged with your own hands! 

[Sir William]

Are you kidding me?  I'd be bragging on a mountaintop!  What a superb example of fine craftsmanship...I imagine it wears as well as it looks right?

[Sir Robert]

Its nice- but then again its made for me, its almost double in weight from my current harmess though, I was a bit suprised by that. Sorry about the pics, I really compressed them to save bandwidth, I get some pictures that better show it off.

I am soon starting on another kit- this next one will be leather, a new material for me as armor. Thanks to everyone for your encouragement.

[Thorsteinn]

I'm on the left, but with the speed of digital cameras I cannot tell you if I'm fighting or teaching.

What I have left to add soonest are winnegas, pants to hide the legs, and an aventail. After that are the hidden arms, fighting tunic, a center-grip round, and better gauntlets.

Edit: I am wearing some Jorvik 2 toggle boots from Bohemond Boots & I love them. My helm is Windrose is a MTO Norman, My knee cops are Rough From the Hammer, Basket hilt in 2nd shot is a Windrose, my bazubands are from Skaldic.com, and the gauntlets in the first pic are early West Coast Armoury ones. I made the shield, sword/axe, lamellar, soon-to-be-hidden cuisses, and gambeseon.

-Ivan

[Sir William]

Stormdelver, about that leather armor...are you going for the boiled in wax method or shaping and forming pieces via rivets and such?

[Joshua Santana]

Sir Stormdelver, you amaze me with your harness! 
It is a great example of the beauty of gothic style!

This year (in relation to this post) I have decided as to where to get my harness.

Originally I planned on getting me Gothic Harness from Illusion Armoring, but there was one problem.
(money to get the plane ticket to washington state!) (also I don't have my exact measurements made yet, but it's in the work)

Then I looked at Mercenary Tailors on there munition armor, I felt more confident because it's close and the picing would fit in my budget!  (also i can design it to have the gothic look without the flutting)

So, Mercenary Tailors it is, any suggestions are welcome!
(I will post pictures of the harness after ordering)

[Sir Robert]

I have thought of boiling some parts as it makes them more rigid. The down side of that is that you need to make the moulds first, but I think the overall look is worth it, it will just take longer.

I did buy copper rivets for this project as well but have not settled on a final design yet. I do really like this srt though (below) so I think it will be based on this.

[Sir Edward]

Then I looked at Mercenary Tailors on there munition armor, I felt more confident because it's close and the picing would fit in my budget!  (also i can design it to have the gothic look without the flutting)

So, Mercenary Tailors it is, any suggestions are welcome!
(I will post pictures of the harness after ordering)

Merc's Tailor is an excellent choice because Allan won't string you along indefinitely like a lot of other armorers would. When you order from him, you'll get what you paid for, and it will be solid. I think you'll enjoy your armor greatly!

[Sir Brian]

I most emphatically agree with Sir Edward! Allan is the epitome of a master craftsman which is only surpassed by his integrity and I'm not just saying that because nearly all of my plate pieces are from him! 

[Sir William]

As do I...in fact, all of my plate armor is MT-made...purchased over the last couple of years.  Currently I have the gorget w/detachable spaulders, splinted vambraces and greaves...I had the plate vambraces and greaves before that and am sorry I sold them as they would've been perfect for this next kit I'm putting together.  Ah well...anyway, like Sirs Edward and Brian have said, he's a master craftsman who understands the importance of quality work AND customer service.  These days, it seems difficult to find both in one craftsman.

[Sir James A]

I have a set of cased greaves, a breast and back, and cased vambraces on order at MercTailor. Once those are in to complete my 14th cent kit, I'll take pictures of it. He has been great to work with so far, and I plan to get many more pieces from him in the next few years.