For a helm (probably the part you should get first) Matuls makes good helms and a particularly good armet should you have the money, but if you’re poor (like me) the GBFB short tailed sallet is an excellent helm as is, and there is a thread on MyArmoury on how to modify it into a re-enactment worthy helm
Great chat! I've got a similar setup to Luke, at least that's what I started with. One place I'd mention is AllBestStuff.com. They're the cheapest Indian armor maker I've seen, especially their mail. I got my riveted mail shirt from them for $190, gauntlets for $45 (almost the same ones that Chris is wearing), gambeson for $50, and leather shoes for $35. They have since raised their prices slightly, but there are still good mail shirts for under $300. That said, the bigger you are the more mail it will take to cover you, so bigger guys tend to spend more. Also shipping tends to be expensive, so ordering multiple items from them at a time is a good way to maneuver around that cost. Concerning the arming garments, the gold standard for 15th century kit is the Historic Enterprises arming doublet, for $275. That is the single most expensive piece of my harness. It's custom tailored to every inch of my body and is made of durable, breathable linen. I know guys who have had theirs for 10+ years. Since you were recommending gambesons in that price range anyway I figured I'd throw that piece of kit out there as well.
Would you say a 2mm unhardened helmet, such as those found "off the rack" is adequate for sword-centric harnischfechten? I recognize that hardening is important for some systems, but seeing as HEMA/harnisch- "respects" the armor more(?), I wonder if the softer steel is enough from a safety perspective.
Properly padded, it will do, but not forever. The upside of paying more for properly heat treated gear is that it will last a lot longer and with fewer repairs. Some cheap gauntlets for example *work* but require restitching leather gloves fairly regularly. Which is a pain in the butt
The DIY route sounds 100% like me. I dabble in pretty much everything at this point and I'm getting quite good at some stuff (actually most of it except my proper job and studies lol). I do suggest to at least get a custom made helmet (or, if you can find one, properly fitted off-the shelf one) - after seeing how much precise work it requires on youtube and in friend's workshop I don't think it's humanly possible to McGyver it in the first 10 attempts and that's a lot of money wasted just on materials
I got about a 22inch small head, lol. Would that bascinet you guys showed work for me? I'm having a horrible time finding anything that actually fits me, being a smaller guy.. Thanks!
So with the great helm, do you have anything that protects the underside of your jaw? I'm looking at getting a barbute with perf plate in it, and they seem to have a similar issue.
A padded coif with mantle would give you some protection on the underside, though not rigid. A solid gorget underneath would give you some solid protection at the throat
Yes, (my understanding at least) is a mantle is the padding or mail that comes down over the shoulders and neck. An aventail (like on the helms in the video) is basically the same thing, but attached to the helmet and not its own component. Some helmets do not have the vervelles or mounting points for an aventail, so a mantle worn under the helmet would function similarly
For a helm (probably the part you should get first) Matuls makes good helms and a particularly good armet should you have the money, but if you’re poor (like me) the GBFB short tailed sallet is an excellent helm as is, and there is a thread on MyArmoury on how to modify it into a re-enactment worthy helm
Thanks guys, I've been waiting for a video like this.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Great chat! I've got a similar setup to Luke, at least that's what I started with. One place I'd mention is AllBestStuff.com. They're the cheapest Indian armor maker I've seen, especially their mail. I got my riveted mail shirt from them for $190, gauntlets for $45 (almost the same ones that Chris is wearing), gambeson for $50, and leather shoes for $35. They have since raised their prices slightly, but there are still good mail shirts for under $300. That said, the bigger you are the more mail it will take to cover you, so bigger guys tend to spend more. Also shipping tends to be expensive, so ordering multiple items from them at a time is a good way to maneuver around that cost.
Concerning the arming garments, the gold standard for 15th century kit is the Historic Enterprises arming doublet, for $275. That is the single most expensive piece of my harness. It's custom tailored to every inch of my body and is made of durable, breathable linen. I know guys who have had theirs for 10+ years. Since you were recommending gambesons in that price range anyway I figured I'd throw that piece of kit out there as well.
Is the allbeststuff aketon light enough? I'm going for period befor integrated pourpoint.
Ok just how are they offering 6mm inner diameter half riveted mail, that's like dream mail.
interesting note at the end about the breathing. any research into breath work?
Would you say a 2mm unhardened helmet, such as those found "off the rack" is adequate for sword-centric harnischfechten?
I recognize that hardening is important for some systems, but seeing as HEMA/harnisch- "respects" the armor more(?), I wonder if the softer steel is enough from a safety perspective.
Properly padded, it will do, but not forever. The upside of paying more for properly heat treated gear is that it will last a lot longer and with fewer repairs. Some cheap gauntlets for example *work* but require restitching leather gloves fairly regularly. Which is a pain in the butt
Great video. Thanks!
This is great, you guys should do one for jousting armour ;)
The DIY route sounds 100% like me. I dabble in pretty much everything at this point and I'm getting quite good at some stuff (actually most of it except my proper job and studies lol). I do suggest to at least get a custom made helmet (or, if you can find one, properly fitted off-the shelf one) - after seeing how much precise work it requires on youtube and in friend's workshop I don't think it's humanly possible to McGyver it in the first 10 attempts and that's a lot of money wasted just on materials
Great video! do you plan on doing armored fencing on the channel?
Yes, we have a study group within the school that focuses on harness training and I've been doing it for over 15 years now
Any hema and burhurt armor Amory you can recommend?
I know some folks who have had good luck with master-uley.com and Quilted Armour for gambesons etc
@@LaurelCityHistoricalFencing cool thx i check them out my gambison is from age of craft and not hema safe only burhurt
Would any of this work for steel fighting ?
We use it for steel fighting regularly. I would check with any specific events/leagues though since some have different standards or modifications
I got about a 22inch small head, lol. Would that bascinet you guys showed work for me? I'm having a horrible time finding anything that actually fits me, being a smaller guy.. Thanks!
Im not sure what size my head is.. but you could use a thicker padded helmet liner to make sure it fits snug
So with the great helm, do you have anything that protects the underside of your jaw? I'm looking at getting a barbute with perf plate in it, and they seem to have a similar issue.
A padded coif with mantle would give you some protection on the underside, though not rigid. A solid gorget underneath would give you some solid protection at the throat
@@LaurelCityHistoricalFencing what do you mean by mantle? like something hanging down from it?
Yes, (my understanding at least) is a mantle is the padding or mail that comes down over the shoulders and neck. An aventail (like on the helms in the video) is basically the same thing, but attached to the helmet and not its own component. Some helmets do not have the vervelles or mounting points for an aventail, so a mantle worn under the helmet would function similarly
Today’s episode sponsored by lord of battles 😂
Jokes aside great contant guys, love it!
Thanks! And we’d love that sponsorship lol
You look like Val Kilmer from Heat 😁
haha, you know, I'll take it
if you put your drinks down you could handle the armor better ;) lol
Maybe, but we’re not mad men!
@@LaurelCityHistoricalFencing lol i see