I'm very interested in getting back to a pair of vambraces that look more like these, which are one set back.

I stopped using them because they didn't fit quite right. They weren't protective enough around the points of the elbow, especially on the inside. So I made the ones I have now.

Sadly, these are not as pretty, especially now that they have aged and darkened. I really like the light yellowish tan color that I get from using Fiebing's  yellow, but it just does not stay that color over time. It gets darker and darker as it absorbs sweat. For example, here is my current gorget when new.

It currently looks almost black. This reminds me that I also need to make a new gorget. And, while I'm at it, I might as well make it all match and do up a new pair of gaiters. The current ones are still perfectly serviceable, which is amazing since I'm damn certain they were made around 1994, if not earlier. I recall the original motivation for making them was that Kyle had a tendency to hit low when we practiced back at Holliday Elementary!

Here they are at Thorbrandr's coronation, 1994, looking very new.
Time to design! And get into the shop.

One of my other problems with the pretty vambraces is that the octofoil washers seen here were painted gold, not brass, so they scuffed and then rusted. They also had the alarming tendency, if hit just right, to bend up, presenting my opponents with a nice little steel cutting edge. Bad.

So if anyone knows of a reasonable source for pretty, durable brass or bronze stud decorations please let me know. This more or less leaves out every SCA merchant source, because a buck or two each is not reasonable. I probably need 60 of them, if I'm going to use them on my gorget, half gauntlet, gauntlet cuffs, vambraces and gaiters.

I can't vouch for ANYTHING in this thread on the Armour Archive, but from the pictures, these shoes look very nice, and you can't beat the price with a new piece of rattan.

Some of them look sturdy enough to fight in. Not the ones pictured here though.

So I've been offered a position in User Support Services, also called Tier II, better known as the Help Desk.

Not answering the phones or anything like that, it would be taking care of the really tricky Mac related issues users have. And potential for some real interesting changes after this awful transition period UVa is going through at the moment as it has just outsourced the first line of technical support. All in all  neither exciting nor terribly disappointing. Nominal.

There's another position I'm in the process of applying for. Not the "take this job" sort, but an actual application. Considering the nearly universal state wide freeze on hiring, the fact that this guy got a position opened up speaks volumes about just how busy this new position will be. But from his descriptions, the work will involve some truly state-of-the-art tech for teaching, presentation, and video. Like almost science-fictional sorts of innovations going into this new building.

Alas, when I asked what the rhythm of the work year there will be like, he blithely answered "The really craziest time of the year for is is at the start of the semester, which begins in the first ten days of August."

Weather permitting, next Sunday 2/28th's get together here looks to be much bigger than normal for armored combat. Joscelyn says he's bringing 3-4 blackspear guys down with him, for example.

So, DON'T MISS OUT! Come on over. We start around 1, but there MIGHT be some people here earlier than that.

Local new guys, this is a great chance to see a wide variety of gear and different fighting styles.

If the weather sucks, we'll punt and work on technique or gear or something in the garage and shop.

Food goes on around 4-5, people usually clear out around 6, but that's flexible. It's a pot luck, bring any damn thing you want, from coke products to ice cream cakes or veggie platters. Don't count on having lots of cooking access, as someone local usually does a big main dish production that takes up the stove.

If you're coming down 29/15/20 whatever, NEVER speed near any of the small towns of Orange, Gordonsville, etc. Ask Sean.

More the merrier! Hope to see you there.