Appropriate Helm for cerca 1100-1187 Templar

[Sir Ulrich]

Sir William got it from Revival.us. It's a model usually only available in Europe, but Sir William bought it but didnt want it for some reason so he sold it to me for a good price. I use it for my 12th century Teutonic knight kit which I wore at Days of Knights. I quite like it, even with my arming cap and coif it's STILL a bit tight, as I have a massive head. People constantly commented on how it was "too big for my head" on Facebook, it wasn't if you wore it over an arming cap and coif like it was intended. Without one the flat top slides around and it doesnt fit the right way.

[Sir William]

Ulrich, have you considered maybe padding the ring inside the helm?  By that I mean padding the inner edge so that you basically have a donut shape?  Then when you put it on, the top of your coif makes contact with the helm while the donut serves to bolster the helm around the crown of your head, making it more stable.  It was a thought I had when I first got it; I just wanted a different sort of helm is all.

[Silvanus]

Well, I've narrowed it down to one (or two) of these three possibilities. Please let me know of any vetoes!

http://www.paulchenhanweiswords.com/flat-top-crusader-helmet-large.aspx

http://www.tienda-medieval.com/en/medieval-helmets/2971-Helm-flat-bald-functional.html#

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-20764-crusader-helmet-steel.aspx#

At this point, I just want a new helm. For sparring with wasters or steel, I will just have to break the rules and wear a full great helm even though they arrived after my death at Hattin. That will be purchased later....

[Ian]

I would rule out that 3rd option.  One, the breaths are really big and so are the eyes, which could both be dangerous while sparring, and they're not historic looking. Medievalcollectibles.com is also a very hit or miss place to do business.

[Sir James A]

I would rule out that 3rd option.  One, the breaths are really big and so are the eyes, which could both be dangerous while sparring, and they're not historic looking. Medievalcollectibles.com is also a very hit or miss place to do business.

Bolding mine - Yes, it is a shot in the dark. Every time you order, it never says anything is out of stock. I had a Christmas present ordered in December, which was still on backorder at the beginning of this month with no ETA (in Feb they said Mar, then in Mar they said Apr...). I also ordered a helmet that turned out to be out of stock, and yes, after paying for them of course. Best bet if you want to order from them is to call to make sure it's available first.

As Ian said, the breaths in it are just way off. The Paul Chen would be my vote, since the eye slots look a bit more narrow. If you're going to fight at all, that's *critical*. Someone in Europe was killed with a synthetic sword when it went through his eye slot. Never take for granted that we're somehow immune to brutal accidents because we're 500-1,000 years more "advanced" than our favorite time periods.

[Silvanus]

Agreed, Sirs Ian and James: the MC helm (3rd option) is out. 

[B. Patricius]

Out of those three, I'd go for the hanwei.

But, playing devil's advocate as I often do, I wouldn't go for any of them.  http://3turretsarmoury.info/Topfhelm-008.htm, https://www.facebook.com/3turretsarmoury?fref=ts, a good guy on the armourarchive going by the name "whonew" is currently making a run of crusader tophelms.  He's making one for me as we speak.  He'd also do custom additions to it if you asked as well, and his prices are right in there and he's a small one-guy armourer. 

I'd talk to him before you make a final decision.  Just my .02. 

[Silvanus]

Out of those three, I'd go for the hanwei.

But, playing devil's advocate as I often do, I wouldn't go for any of them.  http://3turretsarmoury.info/Topfhelm-008.htm, https://www.facebook.com/3turretsarmoury?fref=ts, a good guy on the armourarchive going by the name "whonew" is currently making a run of crusader tophelms.  He's making one for me as we speak.  He'd also do custom additions to it if you asked as well, and his prices are right in there and he's a small one-guy armourer. 

I'd talk to him before you make a final decision.  Just my .02. 

Done, Patrcius. I just sent an inquiry to his site. He does seem to have reasonable prices, too. Thanks!

[Sir Wolf]

i love that one on the right, closest to the camera

[Sir James A]

Oh yeah, 3Turrets is Les, he's a nice guy. Talked with him before, eventually planning to get a Wisby gaunt kit from him when I have some other ongoing projects wrapped up. Looks like he does good work.

[Lord Dane]

Oh yeah, 3Turrets is Les, he's a nice guy. Talked with him before, eventually planning to get a Wisby gaunt kit from him when I have some other ongoing projects wrapped up. Looks like he does good work.

I'm getting a pair of Wisby gauntlets to complete my new kit for more authentic 13-14th century look. Should arrive end of week.

[B. Patricius]

Lord Dane man oh man, you gotta post pics of those gauntlets when they arrive!  I'm wanting the kit myself.

Les/3turretsarmoury/whonew is an amazing guy.  I've been working with him this whole past week, and continually exceeds my expectations in communication.  Excellent guy!

Silvanus, I sincerely doubt we'll be disappointed.  I basically gave him a budget, my head measurements, and said have fun with them!  I'm getting one in 12 or 14 gauge and then one as well in 16ga without the back of head protection for a living history caliber helm for demonstrations.  I honestly can't decide which version of these helms I like more, so I sent him a bunch of references and told him to have fun with them.  I have to thank Sir Ian for that part, he makes a good point that when a craftsman gets excited about your concept, it's always good to let them make their mark on it as well.

On Tuesday he's getting back to me with a shipping quote, and we'll be going from there.  I can't wait to post up pics of the helm.  If it's alright with Silvanus, I'd like to keep you all updated on my helms in this topic, since my kit is very similar. 

Silvanus, glad I could help you brother!  After you posted your first inquiry here, I started looking around as a man on a mission for some good tophelms.  I can honestly say Les has exceeded my expectations thus far in our goals.

[Sir William]

3turrets...I recall that name.  So that's whonew on the AA, is it?  I'd love to have the helm on the right as well.

Silvanus, of the 3 options you put forth, I wouldn't choose any of them- not w/out checking a few things first.  It seems you're aiming for as historical a look as possible- I'd look at some old exemplars first, note the construction method and then compare them w/your examples to see how close they come to it.

Let us know how it goes w/Les...he might get a couple more customers because of it. 

[B. Patricius]

Let us know how it goes w/Les...he might get a couple more customers because of it.

For me anyway, it took a while to first hear from him, about a week or so, understandable.  After that, via facebook or e-mail, he's been talking with me quite a bit.  He did say this weekend was a holiday, so I wouldn't be hearing from him until Wednesday or so for the shipping quote.  I'm really excited to find out what helms he's sending me.  I like both of those helms, and that one on the right though, definitely looks different than anything else I've seen being made lately.