Gambesons from steel mastery

[Sir Ulrich]

http://steel-mastery.com/en/padded-armour/gambesons/ordinary-gambeson
I think I may of found the solution to my "limited" choice of gambesons by simply clicking an ad that appeared on my facebook. I also checked the shipping it's only 18 bucks surprisingly and it arrives in 10-20 days and it costs about the same as my current gambeson yet is linen. I woulda went with the others but they all seem to be 14th-15th century gambesons which I want a 13th century one. Just unsure of how many layers of batting to order it with, I want to use it for fighting so I dont have to buy 2. Also dont know if I should make the inner shell linen as well, I got a linen shirt and believe me it's a lot rougher to wear than cotton, cotton might be a bit more comfortable.

[Sir Brian]

Truly if you intend to use it for fighting you would be better off spending the extra money for a revival clothing linen gambeson or at least their lesser priced all cotton. The batting is just right for protection, gives you full underarm coverage and fits perfectly.
http://www.revivalclothing.com/cottongambeson-2.aspx

[Ian]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the inner shell being linen since you should probably have a shirt on underneath the gambeson anyway. I wear a light linen shirt under mine and it's comfortable on the skin.  Some folks will just wear a plain cotton t-shirt or under armour for max comfort since no one can see you base layer anyway.

I agree with Brian though, high quality is key to a fighting gambeson.  You don't want to skimp on arming clothes.  They make or break comfort in a harness.

[Sir Ulrich]

Yeah, I remember you bought an in stock one from there Sir Brian and said it was good but a bit too thick to wear under maille how many layers did that one have? I think I may go with 3 layers as thats what the Revival Clothing gambeson has. I don't really have the spare money to spend 340 bucks on a gambeson as I am buying that shield, but a 100 dollar one shouldn't be too big a deal. Maybe I should sell the shield I currently have after gluing the canvas back on.

[Sir Gerard de Rodes]

Sir Ulrich,
I was fortunate enough to get one of these at a "SALE" price.
Mine had arming points already attached and these were very well placed and have not failed yet.
They are ( on the whole) quite robustly made. The only place that has needed a little attention over the four of five seasons is the stitching holding the arm to the body.
I would definitely go for an arming jack/gamby with under arm coverage as Sir Brian suggests, if I were you.
G.

[Sir Ulrich]

The one I linked to has an option for full underarm coverage as the open armpits are extra money. If it didn't I would prolly go for something else. I cant stand the open armpits to be honest, thats why I didnt go after the GDFB gambesons. If it's linen it will have a cooling effect as guys at the SCA told me about linen being better at cooling than cotton. My current gambeson is perfect for the winter too hot for the summer. Plus it has unlaceable arms which annoys me.

[Sir Brian]

Cotton breathes just as good as linen. What makes most of the other gambesons with outer linings made of cotton so hot is the polyester batting used. Revival clothing uses cotton for the batting and inner liner with linen for the outer lining. I several makes of gambesons and by far the most comfortable and best at cooling is the revival clothing's. 

[Sir Ulrich]

Yeah, my current one is full of polyester which makes it hot as hell in the summer. I am pretty sure these ones are filled with cotton batting and not polyester. Is cotton batting multicolored or just white? I do know polyester is white. I think cotton batting is multicolored, can anyone find out if they use cotton batting there?

Nevermind says it right there that it's cotton wadding. Gonna get one of these once I figure out what custom design I want.

[Thorsteinn]

Love me my 3 layer linen gambeseon even helps pad when a big boy like Baron John the Hessian hits you... a lot.
http://www.sca.org.au/innilgard/gallery/albums/album52/19b.jpg

The $90+ in materials I spent on it is still the best cash I ever spent on my harness. It makes all the difference in the desert sun.

When is Steel Mastery due to get you their product from East Europe?

-Ivan

[Sir Ulrich]

Wish I had the patience and skill to make my own, don't exactly have that. I even took a sewing class but it didnt work out that well, kept jamming my machine and whatnot. I could basically get it done for 90 bucks already looking at the pricing of them here. Just gotta pay the 20 bucks for shipping...

[Thorsteinn]

Here's the photo of it. It's worth noting that this is the 2nd thing I've sewn in 10 years.



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=163458063693843&l=a7491282d8

Based it upon the Basic Armouring PDF available online and the Gambeseon available at White Mountain Armory's website.

[Sir James A]

That turned out really well, Ivan, especially as only a second sewing project.