As the fighting season is nearly upon us, I’ve been busy getting my kit into shape. Seeing how field repairs are a necessary evil of the SCA / WMA community no matter how well you prepare, a repair kit should be part of your standard equipment. This is especially true if you plan to attend week long events with no power and limited access to the modern world.
This is my kit. It’s ever changing and by no means complete, but it’s a good place to start for those just beginning field combat or reenactment activities. My old Plano tackle box has three removable trays that can be divided into nearly any configuration while the top compartment holds bulkier items. Here’s a quick rundown of most of the items.
Top compartment: Mink oil with rag, gun oil, felt, string for points, steel wool, various sandpaper, various leather bits, end nippers, two needle nose pliers, 5 pound anvil (from an auto body store), ball peen hammer, soft faced hammer, file, rat tail file, chisel, center punch, knife, lighter, spool of waxed thread, tub o’ mail rings, spool of brass wire, fishing scale, tape measure, dividers, knife sharpener, scissors, sharpie marker, and nylon webbing.
Tray 1: Six varieties of Tandy 2-part speed rivets, six varieties of eyelets / grommets, four varieties of metal studs, “post & washer” leather rivets, super glue, and a bin of miscellaneous stuff.
Tray 2: Leather lace, leather strapping of various sizes, two varieties of aluminum rivets, two varieties of steel rivets, assorted brass rivets, various Chicago screws & posts, two more varieties of eyelets, brass washers, and mess of miscellaneous strapping & buckles of various sizes, types and colors.
Tray 3: Sixteen various leatherworking punches, tools & stamps, wooden block, a variety of rivet & grommet setting tools, a variety of waxed threads and needles, a variety of two-part snaps, miscellaneous small metal chains & ropes, more leatherworking hand tools, stamps and punches.
I know you’re all thinking “where’s the duct tape?” I carry a variety of packing, duct and grip tapes of various colors and strengths which are all strung together with a rope for convenience.
This kit has allowed me to replace countless straps, repair articulations, reattach visors & bar-grills and mend mail for myself, my friends and (most importantly) complete strangers while in the field.
I hope this was helpful to those just starting out. For the more experienced, please let me know if you have a favorite / indispensible tool that I should know about!
