Armored Combat

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.

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.

Anyone interested in coming up with a team for Chalice of the Sun God this weekend? 

Teams must field a single participant in at least 4 of the 5 Chalice disciplines (Bardic, Artisan, Heavy, Rapier, Archery). In addition to the adult categories, each team may include one youth combat, and/or one youth archer, and/or one youth rapier fighter. A bonus point per youth combat, youth rapier, and/or youth archer will be awarded to teams who include them (one point per youth). No team shall feature more than three youth combatants, one rapier, one archer, one armored. If the youth wins the title of Chalice Youth Armored Champion, Chalice Youth Archer, or Chalice Youth Rapier Champion, an additional bonus point will be awarded to the team. Each participant shall receive points based on participation and performance. The team with the highest score shall win the Chalice of the Sun God. To register a team, contact the Autocrat. You must include the names of your team members, their disciplines, and the team name.

Just a quick heads up about the coming busy week.