ok i'm starting it. Sir Wolf's 1340's kit

[Sir Wolf]

i stared patterning out my armour. i currently have a Merc Tailer set of knees and a pair of GDFB padded chausis w/ attached mail on the lower legs. I also already have fanless elbow cops. (they need a good cleaning but I have them.)

i am still on the fence about helmets. i am thinking either the GDFB:

klappvisor and leaving the visor off
(bascinet) http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AB0427&name=Klappvisier+Bascinet+Helmet

or the

secret helmet, making the aventail come up higher.
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AB0371&name=14th+Century+Secret+Helmet

I plan on getting a (coif) http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AB2550&name=Chain+Mail+Coif+-+Wedge+Riveted-Solid+Ring+-+Flattened+ring+-+Mild+Steel coif and making it into an aventail due to price and I like the alt row riveted and solid ring construction. it matches my hauberk.

also i will be wearing my new GDFB gauntlets.

hmmmmm a new surcoat is needed... sigh.

[Sir Patrick]

I will be watching this one with great interest!  Am I to assume from the patterns that you're going to make your own arms?  Can't wait for pics!  BTW, I vote for the secret helm with bigger aventail.

EDIT:  Of course you're making your own plates, that's what the pattern's for!  I can't see a thing in this helmet....

[Sir Brian]

Sweet! It would be great if you could still wear your great helm over your secret helm!

[James Barker]

That is not a secret or half helm it is a form of bascinet. They are really common in the Romance of Alexander manuscript from 1338-1347 and there are several extant ones that only cover that much of the head too; you could wear a great helm over it but often men went open faced in artwork. My SCA armor is based on armor from that era.

Technically the legs should be all maille with the padded cuisses, demi greave, and knees over them.

[Sir Wolf]

yaya i know James. I'm cheatin till I can afford a full mail chausis from icefalcon.

i think i will trim back the greave a bit. the way i have it looks too wide and not scalloped on the sides like in the effiegy.

i jsut called it a secret helemt cause thats what GDFB listed it as. the sides really should be about an inch or so longer but i think it will work for what i need it for.

i think i will punch out the brow rivets,
put on the coif.
put on the helmet.
slidesmaller bolts from inside to outside and put washers on them to hold in place.
then mark and cut the top of the coif out.
and that should do it. may have to get the wife's help a bit.

[Sir William]

Woo hoo, I like it...as I'm about to embark on a similar quest, albeit a slightly later period.

[James Barker]

I am likely to be updating my kit to be full on living history quality next year for a special secret project.

I have the maille I need to make a new COP, greaves, and hand quilded arming cote and cuisses.

[Sir Gerard de Rodes]

That helm from GDFB is actually a secret helm, it`s origional name is a cervelliere" if you need to look it up. The cervelliere developed into the bascinet during the early 14th century.

Possibly the one you`re after, Sir Wolf, is an open faced bascinet like this one;

http://www.theknightshop.co.uk/catalog/bascinet-with-aventail-p-967.html?osCsid=5d53d64613b1b22f1b1a43ee87f39bcb

I have both of the above helms and the cervelliere is made to fit tight to the maille coif and also under the great helm or "Pembridge helm"

G

[Sir William]

That's a Windlass offering...do you find it suitable for the purpose, Sir Gerard?  I do like the look of it.

[Sir Wolf]

Sir Edward has the same one too

[Sir William]

So he does...at least, I noticed it in one of his pics.  Sir Edward, do you like yours?  I'm thinking of getting one...

[Sir Gerard de Rodes]

Sir William, the combination of arming cap, maille coif, cervelliere and great helm is something I think I might have tried once for combat, never again, the weight is unbearable lol.
I do put them together for show and tell now and agai, when I have the room in my arming chest to transport it all.  

The open faced bascinet with aventail is very nice to wear if not a little weighty on the neck at first. A chin strap is a must as the bascinet can ride down and cut at the bridge of the nose.  

G

[Sir Brian]

I actually tried Sir Edward's set on shortly after he received it and found it fairly comfortable but a bit heavy. 

[Sir William]

Is it that much heavier than your greathelm?

[Sir Edward]

It's doubly heavy since they made the aventail pretty weighty too. But it's pretty comfortable and surprisingly good for an MRL offering (which explains why they had put it on clearance).