Opening weekend MDRF

[Sir Brian]

Ditto for me! I'm not even going armor light! I have some serious pointing issues to
contend with my leg armor and pourpoint. Btw here is a couple of pictures of
Sir Edward and I. Check out my newest surcoat. 


And this is the back of the surcoat.

Yes I had my seamstress use this design for my new surcoat. 

[Sir Wolf]

awesome man great!

[Sir James A]

I was up much too late working on tailoring my mail and trying to get my kit presentable. Today is out.

edit: note to self. do NOT wash pourpoint in the washing machine. it shrinks. badly. sigh.

[Sir Brian]

Well we certainly missed you James! Squire Nathan looked great in his harness!

[Sir James A]

Well we certainly missed you James! Squire Nathan looked great in his harness!

Indeed he does! The lack of bingo wings is inspiring, as one currently suffering that affliction. I was met yesterday morning with an interesting surprise after posting and before I even shut down the computer - my mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to visit, so my wife and I took them to lunch and then to spend the day in Harpers Ferry. I debated on wearing armor there, but it wouldn't have been the same.

I am set on going next weekend, armor or not, even if it means just wearing garb.

[SirNathanQ]

Thank you for the kind words, and to you Sir Brian for posting!
Yes, it's great not having the dreaded bingo wing. But boy did that kit try to kill me with the heat!
I guess I forgot the Baltic Crusades were a bit cooler.....   

[Sir Patrick]

Looove the new surcoat, Sir Brian!  And Squire Nathan, I never stop marvelling how one so young has such a nice kit!

[Sir Brian]

Thank you Red Knight and I agree Sir Nathan's harness is most impressive, all the more so when you
consider his age! 

Here are some pictures from Labor Day visit to MDRF. I am really starting to like my "light-armor" kit.
Despite getting pretty drenched in the afternoon the steel had a good coat of oil and no rust formed after
wiping it dry and reapplying the oil when I got home. 

[Sir William]

So they let you in with the Faire swords...excellent to know!  Now, I just need you fellows to remind me how you made them so I can craft mine!

[Sir Brian]

You'll need:
A SLO with a hard scabbard.
A dremel tool with a cutting wheel or hacksaw.
A kit of quick hardening epoxy.

Cut the blade off approximately 3" from the crossguard and another cut approximately 6" from the tip.
Liberally smear the epoxy onto the top 6" section blade and drop it down into the scabbard.
Bang the scabbard a few times to ensure the blade is all the way in.
- This is your counterweight for the hilt.
Next liberally smear epoxy onto the 3" section of blade with the hilt and insert it into the scabbard.
Let it setup overnight and it should be ready for MDRF!
You will then have a Maryland 'special'! 

[Sir William]

So you remove the major portion of the blade.  I seem to recall you mentioning something about lead shot as a weight/balance?

Also, I noticed Nathan is smiling in his photos...that's a first, glad to see him capable of doing so.  lol

[Sir Edward]

Yep, you could put other forms of ballast in the scabbard too. What I did with mine was to use about a 12" or 15" mid-section of the blade as the counterweight, and left about 5" on the hilt end. I also scored the portion that was still on the hilt with criss-cross lines before adding the epoxy, to ensure it would grip really well.

[Sir Brian]

So you remove the major portion of the blade.  I seem to recall you mentioning something about lead shot as a weight/balance?

Also, I noticed Nathan is smiling in his photos...that's a first, glad to see him capable of doing so.  lol

Yes I had to wrap lead straps around the outside of the scabbard and then hide it with the leather wrap because I didn't add any counter-weight while I was putting it together! 
...You see there are some advantages to not being the first or the "prototype" which is why I didn't mind you being knighted before me just in case Sir Edward's blade control was a little "off"! 

[Sir William]

I knew there was a reason why I was put forth first.  All I can say is, God Himself would not have saved you from Milady's wrath had the knighting ceremony gone awry!  lol

Thankfully, his hand was steady as I knew it would be...I was nervous, but not because of that.  For me, it was a momentous occasion.

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, my nerves kicked up more than I expected. Go figure.

Hehe, I can just see it now. Sword-dubbing, with your hands shaking uncontrollably, hardly able to grip the sword.