Medieval Knight Hobby

[alismith]

Ever since getting my sword, I've been toying with the idea of putting together a knight's outfit. Every year, at a small tourist attraction nearby, they hold a Celtic Festival for one weekend in September. I've gone a couple of times and it looked pretty interesting. There's a group of guys who perform sword combat routines, but they use plastic/wooden swords and don't really follow any historic lines at all. Other people dress up in their kilts, or similar attire.

I've decided to try and assemble a knight's chainmail outfit (aiming for about 85% historical accuracy) and add some metal armor to enhance it. I'm going out, today, and try to find a used manikin to place the attire on as I can't hang it up like regular clothes.

So far, I have the sword (not accurate) and double-wrap belt with frog (accurate). I just ordered a tabbard (accurate) and blackened chainmail shirt and coif (accurate). The shirt weighs about 30 lbs. and the coif weighs 5 lbs. My next order will be for a metal shield, same color pattern as the tabbard (accurate). Over the summer, I plan on adding some metal greaves and vambraces (accurate), a medieval period shirt (accurate), some medieval pants and leather boots (accurate), and a black cape (not period accurate, but close), and an arming cap to keep the coif from scratching my head (accurate).

This should complete my chainmail set. After that, if I'm still interested, I may start to add metal armor to it.

As soon as I get the first order in and hung on the manikin, I'll post some progress pics and the finished product pic when it's all in.

[Solidus-snake]

Sounds really cool man, id like to do this myself but really don't have the money to do it with.

Keep us posted on the armor as you get it.

[Penguin]

Sounds like an interisting project. It will be neat to see the pictures as it comes along.

[alismith]

Sounds really cool man, id like to do this myself but really don't have the money to do it with.

Keep us posted on the armor as you get it.

The cost is what's slowing me down. I can only afford a little at a time; that's why it'll take a while to assemble all the stuff. The first chainmail shirt I saw was $265 and the coif was $105. I did some searching and found the same shirt (with coif included) for $120. I snagged that before it was gone. Anyway, the chainmail and tabbard are what the rest of the outfit will be built around. Those items should be in sometime this week. As soon as I find a manikin and start "dressing" him, I'll post pics.

[Schuetzenman]

You should look up the Society for Creative Anachranism if this is where your interests lay. http://sca.org/

[Bluntforce]

I think this place has vambraces and greaves.

http://www.museumreplicas.com/

[alismith]

You should look up the Society for Creative Anachranism if this is where your interests lay. http://sca.org/

I've seen references to this group and just saved their web site to my favorites list. Thanks.

[alismith]

I think this place has vambraces and greaves.

http://www.museumreplicas.com/

Museum Replicas is the site I'm using to start my outfitting from. I've ordered from them before and they are a qualilty store. My sword came from them, and my tabbard is coming from them.

I'll, probably, order my shield from this store: http://www.armorvenue.com/

I'm still looking for other sites so I can compare quality and prices.

Thanks for your help.

[cevulirn]

As a former chainmaille nut, I wonder what chainmaille you acquired.

[alismith]

As a former chainmaille nut, I wonder what chainmaille you acquired.

I ordered the blackened chainmail shirt and coif (total weight 30 lbs.). It just came in today (beautiful). My tabbard came in last week. As soon as I locate a mannequin I'll "dress" it, take a photo, and post it. Next week, I plan on ordering my helmet and shield.

[cevulirn]

Where did you get it? what materials? (From the weight, I assume blackened mild steel.) What size rings? what gauge wire? butted, riveted (round or wedge) or welded?


www.theringlord.com and its forum have more info on chainmaille then a normal person could want to know, and http://www.armourarchive.org/ and The Arador Armoour library (http://www.armourarchive.org/) are some other useful sources. Especially if you want to try to make some pieces of the armor yourself.

[alismith]

I, finally, located a mannequin after quite a few dead ends. I went to just about every clothing store in the nearby city and no one had any. It seems most clothing stores are phasing them out. As a last resort, I went to black men's clothing store and was told to come back last Wed. as the owner wouldn't be in until then. On Wed. I went back and was surprised to see a former student of mine was the owner. He recognized me and when I told him that I wanted a mannequin for my classroom (I'll dress it in costumes to relate to the subjects I teach) , he told me he would get me one. He called Thursday and told me he had ordered one and it would be in Friday. Sure enough, it came in that afternoon. When I offered to pay for it, he told me he was donating it; that he always helped out with the schools he had attended (and he liked my class when he was a student). So, I got a brand new, still in the box, mannequin.

Of course, it's black (why would a black men's clothing store have white mannequins?), so the black chain mail might be a little hard to see, but I hope the flash helped. I had to put a white T-shirt on to show the chain mail, too.

Here is "Edward, Duke of Cornwall, Prince of Wales" (I am basing part of my outfit on a real-life knight known as "The Black Prince" getting the first set of equipment I've had come in so far).

In the first pic he's wearing a leather arming cap underneath the coif and the blackened chain mail shirt about 30 lbs. total weight.
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-001F-14.jpg

Here, I've added my tabbard over the mail and leaned a practice sword on him for effect. I'm not going to add the real sword and belt to the outfit until I get everything together.
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-002F-17.jpg

My matching helmet should be in this week, then, I'll order a shield that matches the tabbard. after that, I need to get a period shirt, pants, boots, vambraces, mesh-covered gauntlets (or metal gauntlets...I haven't made up my mind yet)

I hope to put together a period spear and get a black, scalloped belt pouch.

I'm about half-way there. Yahoo!

[alismith]

Helmet came yesterday.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-004F-14.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-003F-17.jpg

[alismith]

Just ordered a shield to go with the outfit. Since it's a "custom painted" shield, I called their customer service and was told they can reverse the colors to match my tabbard, so I ordered it today while the girl was still on the line and was able to put my request in with the order. It should be here in about 2 weeks.

Here's what it will look like (the only difference is the colors will be reversed):
http://www.armorvenue.com/sh250-quarterly.html

[alismith]

My shield came today.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-005F-16.jpg

The back of the shield has two strong leather straps for a great grip.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-006F-9.jpg

Here's two pics of the tabbard and shield together. The shield matches the tabbard nicely. :)

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-007F-12.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-008F-11.jpg

[Penguin]

That is pretty cool so far.

[alismith]

Ordered a different helmet. The first one didn't fit with glasses (I think I can adjust the nose piece a little for them, but not going to try that right now). I was a little worried about how well I'd be able to see with the eye slits, but was surprised to find vision is pretty decent.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-012F-8.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-013F-8.jpg

This is pretty much what I have so far.
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-009F-10.jpg

The battle axe isn't going to be a part of the outfit, but I just wanted to see what it looked like. I'm going to go with a spear instead of the axe. I've ordered the parts, but some of it is on backorder.
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-010F-8.jpg

Here's the outfit with the first helmet.
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-014F-7.jpg

Shortly, I'll order pants, boots, vambraces, greaves, and gauntlets. Hopefully, it'll be ready before the Celtic Festival this fall.

[Penguin]

Cool. I think your second helmet looks better. I would say the whole thing is turning out nicely.

[Dr. Gonzo GED]

Really cool!

That' looks just about fit for posting up near a bridge, challenging all comers to duel and of course, laughing off many injuries as "just a flesh wound".

[alismith]

Gauntlets came today. I went with the less flashier ones as they were of the same color theme. After I get everything done, I have another set I may get and see how they look. But, for now, these will do.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-017F-3.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-016F-5.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-015F-5.jpg

[Penguin]

Is it hard to hold and pick things up with those? It sure looks like it to me but I wouldn't know so I figure best to ask and learn something new.

[alismith]

Is it hard to hold and pick things up with those? It sure looks like it to me but I wouldn't know so I figure best to ask and learn something new.

They are definitely bulky but they grip the sword handle pretty well. My guess would be that knights put these on just before battle as they are too bulky for pretty much anything else. (You can still give your opponent the finger without any trouble, though. ;))

[Penguin]

(You can still give your opponent the finger without any trouble, though. ;))

Always very important especially if your side has longbows.

[alismith]

Always very important especially if your side has longbows.

For some reason, giving your opponent the finger is left out of many history books. I'm sure it was pretty effective in getting things moving when things got slow.

[alismith]

The cape came yesterday. I was going to buy some yellow cloth and give it to a seamstress to have her sew a yellow liner inside, but I think it looks pretty good without that. Not sure if the yellow liner would be too bright for the outfit.

Anyway, here's what I have so far. Still waiting for the spearhead and sporran to come in and then I'll order some period pants, boots, and shirt. Not sure if I'll go with leg armor, or not, at this point.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-018F-3.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-019F-1.jpg

[FunkyPertwee]

Awesome!

What does he look like holding an AK? :D

[alismith]

The spearhead I had on backorder, finally, came in today. It's a copy of the European style spearhead knights used in the Middle Ages.

I've shown it with the buttcap that will go on the other end of the shaft. They will be mounted on a 6' white waxwood shaft that I'm going to stain a dark color. I, also, have two ribbons (one black and one yellow) to attach just under the spearhead (I'm modeling my outfit on the chainmail armor the Knights Templar and Teutonic knights wore and their spears sported their coat of arms colors). I figure it'll be about a week or so before I have the spear finished and I'll post a pic of the finished product when it's done.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-021F-1.jpg

[Penguin]

Cool. If you don't mind my asking though what is the point of hte cape?

[alismith]

Cool. If you don't mind my asking though what is the point of hte cape?

Both Teutonic knights and Knights Templar wore capes over their tabbards. Teutonic knights wore white capes with a black cross and Knights Templars wore a white cape with red lining and a red cross on the shoulder. I'm guessing, in battle, it was easier to tell who was who when things got real tense and hectic. Plus, it adds an atmosphere of mass and power to the whole outfit. My son said Edward (the mannequin) looks a lot like Darth Vader now and Vader wore his cape to show power and intimidation. I guess the knights hit on those ideas pretty early.

The black cape does add an atmosphere of foreboding and power to the outfit.

[Penguin]

That makes sense. Thanks.

[alismith]

Here's two sporrans (belt pouches) I ordered. The one on the right came in first and I wasn't impressed with the quality or design. It's far too thin and flimsy, and the top doesn't offer a secure closure. So, I ordered the one on the left and really liked it. It's heavy-duty, has plenty of room for all the stuff a knight needs (like coins of the realm, cell phone, car keys, etc.), and the top closes tightly and securely. I'll wear this one.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-004F-15.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-003F-18.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-001F-15.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-002F-18.jpg

These pics show the ribbons I'll make and hang from the spear head. They are the colors of my outfit and go nicely with the suit. Picked up a matching cord today to tie it all together. Once I get them cut, sewn, and mounted, I'll post pics of that, too.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-005F-17.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-006F-10.jpg

These two pics (courtesy of Museum Replicas) are the ones I'm basing my knightly outfit on. I'm using a little of both in my ensemble.

http://www.museumreplicas.com/popup.aspx?src=images/product/large/446_2_.jpg

http://www.museumreplicas.com/popup.aspx?src=images/PRODUCT/large/447.jpg

Right now, I'm shaping the spear shaft to fit the spear head and butt end. Once I get the shaping done, I have to stain the wood, then put a clear coat of paint on it and mount the ribbons.

This week, I should be receiving my dagger, frog, and blackened greaves.

Here's a site I found that goes into a lot of detail about knights and the Middle Ages. It offers a ton of info on weapons, how knights trained, and general life in that time period.

http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/famous-medieval-people/

[Helen Keller]

That's cool.

GUy I work with has 2 full steel suits of medieval armor and a few spartan/greek soldier setups.







All I gots is a darth vader helmet.

[alismith]

That's cool.

GUy I work with has 2 full steel suits of medieval armor and a few spartan/greek soldier setups.







All I gots is a darth vader helmet.

Does he wear them to Renn fairs, or does he just have them to collect them?

[alismith]

Here are two pics of the leather pauldron (spaulder) I just got. I decided to go with the shield arm only instead of a double pauldron. I moved the cloak off the shoulder to show it better. It fits great.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-008F-12.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-007F-13.jpg

[alismith]

New gauntlets came in the other day. I like these better than the mesh ones. They offer more protection to the hands and wrists and are just as flexible.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-009F-11.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-010F-9.jpg

Here's my dagger and frog. I've ordered a different dagger (the newer one should be a closer match to the sword I have) but it hasn't come in yet.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-011F-7.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-013F-9.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-012F-9.jpg


The spear shaft is about done but I still have to put a few more coats of paint on it and cut a groove for the ribbons.

[alismith]

Finished the spear today. I used a white waxwood shaft that isn't perfectly rounded. I thought a shaft that was perfectly rounded and symmetrical would not represent what a "period" shaft might have really been like. This shaft is thicker towards the spear head and thinner towards the butt cap. The weight is more forward and would probably make it "fly" a little straighter if thrown. I used ebony stain then painted about 4-6 coats over it with gloss black Krylon paint. When that was dry, I attached the butt cap and spear head, then spray painted the whole thing with 4 coats of clear, gloss Krylon paint.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-015F_zps9277a5ab.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-017F_zps485b2308.jpg

I attached the black and yellow ribbons with black/gold cord and knotted the ends to prevent fraying. The cord matches the ribbons fairly well. I filed a groove just behind the spear head base for the cord to fit into without slipping.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-016F_zpsc9fec5f1.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-020F_zps3f5694fe.jpg

The whole spear is 7'4" from end to end. Overall, I think it's pretty intimidating and matches the rest of the outfit perfectly.

I'm waiting for my medieval shirt to be altered, then I'll be about as ready as I can be before the local Celtic Festival begins. It's in two weeks.

The only thing I'm missing are period pants and shoes, but I can fake that this time and get those at a later date. As soon as I get the shirt, I'll get someone to take some pics of me wearing the whole thing.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-018F_zpsac150951.jpg

[Penguin]

Very cool. It has been neat to watch this as you get al lthe bits and pices. I would love to do something like this but, revelotionary war.

[alismith]

I finally managed to get the whole outfit on and get a few pics of it.

Damn, it's heavy. I can't imagine fighting in something like this. I know the knights trained for years before they were good enough to don the outfit, but I still admire them. It took me about 1/2 hour to get suited up and I needed some help getting it all adjusted. They're hard to see, but I'm wearing a pair of blackened steel greaves, too.

Oh well, I did it.

Here's what I managed to photograph today.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-001F_zpsbbec01c0.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-005F_zps2a60eed8.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-006F_zps9fc1b2ec.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-007F_zps9112fbc3.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/alismith483/MVC-009F_zps524f3c23.jpg

The mail shirt and coif are in the garage soaking up a coating of WD40 right now. I'll start drying it off tomorrow so I can put it back on Edward.

This is the part I hate....finishing a project, but in a way, it's nice to be done.

My next project might be a Roman Army Officer's outfit. ;)

[Solidus-snake]

I think the end result was very much a success! Looks pretty awesome, and you gotta admit, just don the suit a couple times a week and do some basic sword movements and youll be getting one hell of a workout.

Needless to say, youll be ready when the Zombie outbreak begins. Let Zed break his teeth on this!

[alismith]

I went to the local Celtic Festival today and wore my outfit. It was a lot easier to put on this time (I knew what to do and where things went). I did have an equipment failure in that the rivet holding the sword frog to the belt, separated. I found a piece of black cord and threaded it through the holes and got that working again.

I found it much easier to wear the coif w/o the arming cap and I only wore the helmet for pictures. Other than that, I wore everything for about 3 hours and it wasn't that bad. I didn't heat up like I did the first time (I think not wearing the arming cap and helmet kept me cooler).

I do want to get another belt as this one kept slipping down on my hips.

There were a couple of organized medieval re-enactment groups there and I talked with them for a while. One of the groups, MMMA (http://www.markland.org/index.php), thought I was from the Baltimore chapter as I was wearing their colors, but I told him I wasn't affiliated with any group. However, I think I'm going to contact MMMA and see what being a member entails. The only thing I'm going to hate about this is that I may have to change my colors if I join. Oh, well. We'll see.

I didn't buy anything, but I did have two mugs of light ale for breakfast. Not a bad way to start the day. ;)

[alismith]

Since my last post, I've decided to change and upgrade some of the equipment I have before I start on a different period outfit. I want to get a different sword belt (a single wrap belt), a tabbard belt, get either a double, leather pauldron, or metal pauldrons, and jointed leg segments. I want to make a banner and pole to mount it on and repaint the spear shaft. The paint scrapes off too easily...gotta fix that.

Now, all I have to do is save up a little more money.

[Solidus-snake]

I really like the leather pauldron you have. Looks like a successful put together suit to me

[Diesel]

http://www.atlantacutlery.com

Is another source of occasionally good quality equipment...if you don't like it send it back is ok too.

Diesel 88888888

:coffee:

[alismith]

http://www.atlantacutlery.com

Is another source of occasionally good quality equipment...if you don't like it send it back is ok too.

Diesel 88888888

:coffee:

I have their catalogs, but you have to be very careful with their swords. Very few of them are tempered. They feel "mushy" when you shake them side-to-side. I have an idea they would bend easily if struck at an angle. Museum Replicas is where I bought my sword and it said the blade was fully tempered and battle-ready. That sword is fantastic; well balanced, no mushy feel, and razor sharp. A little pricey, but well worth it. ;)

[alismith]

I really like the leather pauldron you have. Looks like a successful put together suit to me

I like the looks of it, too, but saw one that was a double pauldron. I may contact the people who made the single one (they cure and design their own styles) and ask if they make doubles, too. I'd like to get the double to look exactly like the single one I have. The one I was looking at, previously, looked a little smaller around the shoulder and the segmentls didn't flare out quite as much. I like the flare, too.

[Diesel]

I have their catalogs, but you have to be very careful with their swords. Very few of them are tempered. They feel "mushy" when you shake them side-to-side. I have an idea they would bend easily if struck at an angle. Museum Replicas is where I bought my sword and it said the blade was fully tempered and battle-ready. That sword is fantastic; well balanced, no mushy feel, and razor sharp. A little pricey, but well worth it. ;)
I agree with everything you said...just didn't know how dedicated you were to the Living History thing...Your spear was really well done and most of what you see is done on a big dowel or old closet or curtain rod...as an old motion picture costumer (1950/60's) I am quite impressed with what you have already accomplished....

Diesel 88888888

:coffee:

[alismith]

I agree with everything you said...just didn't know how dedicated you were to the Living History thing...Your spear was really well done and most of what you see is done on a big dowel or old closet or curtain rod...as an old motion picture costumer (1950/60's) I am quite impressed with what you have already accomplished....

Diesel 88888888

:coffee:

Thanks. It's been a lot of fun putting this outfit together and I've learned a lot. I have a totally new respect for those guys who wore these things into battle. It took a pretty strong person to wear this all day and fight in it, too.