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Why not go to an armour specific set of forums like armourarchive.org? They have about a dozen forums on armour making, research, etc. Note to mention the pattern archive, essays, classifieds and even an off-topic area.

I send folks over there interested in smithing over here...

Better to concentrate knowledge than to spread it all over the net in small pieces!

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you know i wondered that too, but hey who has time for armour these days, i mean a full suit takes like what an entire year to complete?


Not that I've ever attempted to make armor but why would it take a year? Unless you only work on it a hour a week or something like that?
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Not that I've ever attempted to make armor but why would it take a year? Unless you only work on it a hour a week or something like that?


A complete harness usually doesn't take a year to make for an experienced or advanced armourer. It could take a couple months or more depending on the style, number of pieces, extent of decoration, etc.

I've made several different parts of armour, though I've never made a full suit. Definitly check out the Armour Archive, lots of information there and some of the best armourers around hang out there, too.
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Im surprised there isnt an armorers sub-forum(it's late and i might not've seen it), so i might aswell ask here. Anyone have any experience making plate armors? If so, are you willing to share your informations with me?

thanks in advance


Typically, medieval (Because I like them the most) Armourers had 4-horned anvils, and did most of the plate shaping of the flat steel, cold. They used heat only for tight bends and welding some parts together.

Here are a few pictures of the medieval armourers at work.:D

If you are curious about the 2 bellows in the one picture (the medieval style), don't hesitate to ask!:cool:

6952.attach

6953.attach

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Francis Cole : In regards to armour made in stainless steel it's more about what the what customers want. Right now the demand is for Stainless Steel because of the ease of maintenance. About 4 or so yeas ago the demand was mainly for stuff in mild steels because of the cheaper price, but in the last 5 years or so the demand has become almost totally for stainless steel produces, people have realized that even though it has a higher initial cost it's worth it in the long term for ease and cost of maintenance. About 4-5 years ago there was a high demand for armour made of spring steel, while still in demand that demand has declined since its cost is much higher that that of the same product in stainless due to the cost of the spring steel and the extra work needed, i.e. it needs to be worked "hot" and needs to be re-tempered after the final shaping is done.

Spc.Savant : That seems like quite an extended amount of time for Lorica Segmentata? When I still worked in Alan Baldree's (AB Hammer on Armor Archive) shop we did a Lorica Segmentata in 3 and a half days with dished and planished(sp?) lames in 14ga, as well as brass rosettas and fittings for the lacing. Making, polishing, and fitting all the brass pieces took most of the time. If it was not for the brass work it would have only taken about 2 - 2 1/2 days.

Sesshoumaru didn't mention that a lot of the dishing is done on wooden dishing stumps.


I know this is an old thread. I'm willing to share any knowledge I have on armouring, limited as it may be. I did a 6 year apprenticeship under Alan Baldree and worked with him a total of 8 years, until he moved from Kentucky to Louisiana.

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Im surprised there isnt an armorers sub-forum

If there is enough interest and traffic, we create a sub-forum.

Do the leg work for us and find all the posts directly related to armor. If there are a sufficient posts, give us the URL's so we can start moving them as time allows..
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