Armor for SwordChick

[Sir Edward]

So, what would be some good suggestions for SwordChick? I was thinking that it would be pretty cost effective to go with 14th C plate. Like the "chartres arms" and spaulders shown here:

http://www.madmattsarmory.com/inv_arms.php

This shop also has a coat of plates kit and some nice breastplates.

I don't know what quality his work is, but the pictures are nice.

[Sword Chick]

Thanks, Ed.  I was already composing my post (and trying to get my attachments to work) so here I go again...

Okay, deep breath, enough talking, I need to start putting something together.  I'm counting on you gentlemen to help me. 

In order to keep things affordable, I'll be putting together bits at a time.  In terms of accuracy, issues such as stainless steel don't bother me.  At the same time, I don't want anything glaringly wrong.  (Though I suppose that is in the eye of the beholder.)

In an ideal world, I'd like to look like this.  However that image is heavily photoshopped. I don't look that good in real life. 

In terms of something more practical, Mr. Christian Tobler suggested that something like what he is wearing and which is based on the effigy below would work quite well, especially since I have a new gambeson.

[Sir Edward]

Thanks, Ed.  I was already composing my post (and trying to get my attachments to work) so here I go again...

Woops, sorry.

Okay, deep breath, enough talking, I need to start putting something together.  I'm counting on you gentlemen to help me. 

In order to keep things affordable, I'll be putting together bits at a time.  In terms of accuracy, issues such as stainless steel don't bother me.  At the same time, I don't want anything glaringly wrong.  (Though I suppose that is in the eye of the beholder.)

I'm with you on that. I cut all sorts of corners to keep things practical and affordable. Stainless will certainly make the maintenance easier! Often it costs slightly more, but it saves you a lot of headaches, and it doesn't have to be polished to a chrome finish either if that's something that bothers you (some people prefer more of a satin finish).

In an ideal world, I'd like to look like this.  However that image is heavily photoshopped. I don't look that good in real life. 

Sure you do! And you will once we get all your armor together.

In terms of something more practical, Mr. Christian Tobler suggested that something like what he is wearing and which is based on the effigy below would work quite well, especially since I have a new gambeson.

That's a pretty good suggestion. In those images, there's nothing on the arms, which I find interesting. Nevertheless, these look pretty good:

http://www.ageofarmour.com/instock/14_century_arms.html

Do you like that style of helm? The helm you want might also restrict the period a bit, if there's a certain look you'd like to go for. His suggestion is certainly good in terms of keeping the cost manageable.

[Sword Chick]

Thanks, Ed.  I was already composing my post (and trying to get my attachments to work) so here I go again...

Woops, sorry.

Actually, that was a sincere thanks.    I appreciate that you were watching out for me.

That's a pretty good suggestion. In those images, there's nothing on the arms, which I find interesting. Nevertheless, these look pretty good:
http://www.ageofarmour.com/instock/14_century_arms.html

No, I don't think those arms would work too well for me.  From the website "These arms are a medium length with a bit larger diameter. Best fit would be for someone around 5'10" and 200lbs though there is a bit of latitude."  I'm a bit smaller than that. 

Do you like that style of helm? The helm you want might also restrict the period a bit, if there's a certain look you'd like to go for.

I do like the helm on the effigy.  However, I'm still very open to suggestions.

Another sincere thank you!

[Sir Edward]

That's a pretty good suggestion. In those images, there's nothing on the arms, which I find interesting. Nevertheless, these look pretty good:
http://www.ageofarmour.com/instock/14_century_arms.html

No, I don't think those arms would work too well for me.  From the website "These arms are a medium length with a bit larger diameter. Best fit would be for someone around 5'10" and 200lbs though there is a bit of latitude."  I'm a bit smaller than that. 

Hah, I didn't read the fine print. It sounds like they'd fit me though.. maybe with some extra room.

OK, I'll keep my eyes open for others.

[Das Bill]

Yeah, I think the one Christian suggested to you would work nicely, but only if you've definately decided on the 14th century. I'll try to remember to bring in a couple books tonight that you might be interested in borrowing. They've got a lot of good "inspirational" pictures. (and by "inspirational" I mean "inspiring to make you spend money")

[Das Bill]

So Pamela and I got together to pour over some books to start figuring out a plan for a harness. We've slightly narrowed it down to two potential pathways, depending on whether she goes for 14th c. or 15th. I think it will ultimately come down to cost and availability... mostly cost, actually.

I'll do two separate posts, one for the 14th c. plans, one for the 15th c. plans.

If we went 14th c., we'd do something similar to what Christian recommended for her above. (Yes, I'm saying "we", Pamela. Shut up!) So we're talking mid-14th c. Exact, 100% accuracy isn't necessary, but she still wants it to be within reason.

One of the "pros" is that she already has a 14th c. styled gambeson from Revival Clothing.



She would need a cuirass... preferably some kind of segmented cuirass, such as the famous Churburg type, such as this one:


http://www.bestarmour.com/pancir3.htm

And hourglass gauntlets, such as these ones that I own (possibly without the fingers):

(Made by Lewis Moore, whom is currently MIA from the armour world from what I hear)

She also is very likely going to get a set of legs from Revival Martial Arts:

http://www.revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=293

She's already gotten the chance to try the above legs on, and they fit her perfectly, so that's a definately plus.

And then finally the hardest part: The helmet. Some form of bascinet with aventail is what we're thinking. Something like this one below, though possibly without the visor:

http://www.bestarmour.com/slap2.htm

Not only will the helmet be the most expensive part, but it pretty much has to have the mail aventail.

This would give her a reasonably complete harness, and she can add further details to this later, such as a mail shirt, arms, etc.

[Das Bill]

And now onto 15th c. possibilities.

We were looking at some ideas for an early 15th c. mercenary-type of harness that could be added to later. We came up with something that isn't too fancy.

First, we'd start with some sort of basic arming doublet, such as the one that Revival Clothing sells. Alternately, she can make a typical 15th century doublet and add points to it as necessary, such as this one here:

http://www.revivalclothing.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=225

From there we'd need some type of cuirass. Something like this would be very nice:

http://www.bestarmour.com/pancir1.htm

We probably either need to make sure the cuirass doesn't have a fauld (such as the one above), or else was made by an armourer who really understands a woman's physique, since women's hips are different from men's.

We'd use the same legs as the 14th c. harness (and these legs are technically more correct for this 15th c. one):

http://www.revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=293

We'd might skip the gauntlets initially, but eventually do something like this:

http://www.bestarmour.com/rukavice3.htm

For the helmet, we have several options. I was thinking the GDFB "celeta", since it looks pretty good, and you can't beat the price.

http://www.cashanwei.com/product_details.asp?id=AB0331&mg=1

(that helmet looks infinitely better in person than it does on their website photos.) If we go with that, we'd likely need to get a mail standard, but those can be found for $95 at Ice Falcon Armoury:
http://store.fastcommerce.com/cat_icefalcon-ff80818118cf3b000118e2443818053f.html

If Pamela decided to go for a closed face helmet instead, she could go with this GDFB one:

http://www.cashanwei.com/product_details.asp?id=AB0451

with this bevor from Windrose Armoury:

http://www.windrosearmoury.com/zc/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=336

(since the GDFB bevor from CAS is pretty poorly formed so as not to fit any breastplates, unfortunately)

And eventually we could add additional pieces to this one as well. Including a mail fauld, spaulders, etc. I could easily see it heading towards something vaguely like this:

[Das Bill]

And the compare and contrast phase between the two routes outlined above:

14th c. harness pros:
-Already have the gambeson as the foundation garment, which is a big step

14th c. harness cons:
-Helmet plus mail aventail will be very expensive if Pamela wants it done right (and knowing Pamela, I'm certain she does)
-Will still need something to point the leg harness to (since the gambeson alone doesn't have this... she'll need a pourpoint underneath, or at least a belt, which doesn't work as well)

15th c. harness pros:
-The GDFB helmets are looking pretty good without breaking the budget
-Making her own doublet shouldn't be too hard, all things considered, and she can always use that temporarily until she can afford a more expensive arming doublet

15th c. harness cons:
-Don't already have any of the pieces yet

I can't think of any other glaring things at the moment. Despite the fact that the above list seems to favor the 15th c. harness slightly, that's only on "paper", not in reality. It obviously all comes down to which route Pamela wants.

[Sword Chick]

And we will look terrific.   

Seriously, thanks for helping me out.  All my boys will be gone this weekend, so I'll have some unsupervised time to check out those links. 

Another question:  Shoes?  Would Revival Clothing's ankle boots work for both looks?  I feel the need to take advantage of their current sale. 

[Sir Brian]

I don't envy you those choices Lady SwordChick, far too difficult
for me to decide! 

Here is a possible substitute for the helm at a very reasonable price.
http://www.excaliburbrothers.com/site/697427/product/22-H53

I was considering getting one for myself.
Of course you'll have to make your own liner but that's really easy to do.

[Sword Chick]

Here is a possible substitute for the helm at a very reasonable price.
http://www.excaliburbrothers.com/site/697427/product/22-H53

I like what is said about it on the website:
"# What An Awesome Unique Gift Idea for

    * Dad or Mom
    * Husband or Wife
    * Boyfriend or Girlfriend
    * Brother or Sister
    * Aunt or Uncle

# Father's Day, Mother's Day, Halloween, Graduations, Birthdays, Christmas or Anniversaries
# Anytime you want to make them feel special!!!"

 

[Sir Brian]

They obviously had you in mind! 

[Sir Edward]

Well, it seems you're leaning towards the revival.us legs in either case, so is that where you'll start? Bill's right, you'll need to figure out the pointing though depending on which way you go.

This is a great start so far!

[Sword Chick]

Yeah, I think the revival.us legs are almost a definite.  (Ask Mark.  He has the link and a strong hint that one leg could be for Mother's Day and the other for my birthday.)