New Year, New Kits

[Sir Robert]

The off season is a time I often turn to making new things, this year I re-strapped my whole kit due to some issues last season. Once done I have now started building at least three new kits, one more complicated (more articulation points), a new leather/stainless kit, and one for my squire….mmm that’s a lot really. So far I have the Breastplate of one done, the backplate nearly complete, but there are still lots to do. Its still fun though. Working with leather will be new to me at this scale, so any insights would be appreciated once that project gets going, I am thinking of using copper or brass rivets, but that’s far off.
I have seen the gauntlet questions, I have been toying with that as well, but mine are plate, Sir Brian did an excellent job on his. I thought I would start this thread and start posting pictures of my project as it come along and welcome comments or suggestions. So here we go, I’ll try and get pictures up tomorrow.

I was also thinking, that if any of our newer members would like information or pointers about building their own kit, this would be a great thread. I build transitional kits, so a combination of plate, chain, and sometimes leather, mostly 14th-15th century. So by all means anyone who likes chime in.

[Sir William]

I look forward to this myself.

[Sir Rodney]

Great!  I love DIY stuff and can't wait to see your projects.

[Sir Robert]

Attached are some pictures of my new kit, so far the breastplate Front and back,

The front follows my normal pattern but doubles the lams and adds a wider skirt.

I am not sure yet if the wider skirt base is a good idea as it can limit your bending but it can be trimmed if needed.

The back is nearly completed with the exception of beading, adding the shoulder closures, and polishing.

Both will still need strapping byt I typically do that during assembly so we are a ways off from that yet.

[Sir Brian]

Excellent!

Man we are such a blessed forum to have some many talented members!

[Sir James A]

That's some intricate work! Do you have pics of some of your old work posted somewhere for those of us who haven't seen it?

[Sir Robert]

Here are a couple of pictures of older work

[Sir Robert]

And Here

[Sir Robert]

Here as well (detail)

[Sir Robert]

and one more...

[Sir Robert]

All these- even the scary black and silver set I made about two years ago, I kind of took some time off from it last year, but now wanted something new. I also made the axe you see after talking with Sir Brian, as we were talking about how few truly period and functional axes there were (he bought one almost two years ago so I made this last year).

I am making a set of poleams this year that can be carried at the PA Faire I think....(rubber blades inside of metal plates, should really look great but no edges)

[Sir William]

Here as well (detail)

I love the crosses....very well done, Stormdelver.  Do you do commissions?

[Sir Patrick]

Nice work, Stormdelver!

[Sir Robert]

Thanks for all the kind comments, as for commissions maybe....I like artistic but period based pieces, but I think you flatter me too much. When I set out to create my armor originally (not knowing much about it) I set my goal to do something that hasn't really been done before but yet in a traditional way.

This lead me to etching, an art practiced on commissioned armor to be sure, along with gilding, plating, and many jewlery techniques. Then they used things like nettle sap and wax, that really takes a long time...and would not wotk on Stainless at all.

I happen to have aweird set of skills such as blacksmithing and as a ferrier...(I was raised on a working farm by a traditional German Grandfather who was also a railroad man). That with a lot of knowledge of chemistry.....anyway here you go.

Last night at my Cub Scout Meeting I taught etching this way to make coins, I mase a Modern Chivalry coin, not much to look at yet artsy wise as I made it in a couple of minutes but I like the coin idea

[Sir Wolf]

wow very cool!