Armoring

Here's the new shield! Just lacking some drying time and a couple crows.

I first went to Pennsic XVI, I think. Brad Freeman and I realized we could go on Tuesday of what was then a one week event, I made some phone calls and got camping space. We went up Thursday in his Civic, which wasn't terribly loaded. But then neither of us had armor, we only had a backpacking tent. And probably 3 sets of garb between us. No, we didn't share. 

We're having a lovely time out here in Seattle, but why is it that when I'm on vacation, I start to get antsy to work on SCA projects that I didn't bring?

As mentioned earlier in The (hopefully) Great Lamellar Project I'm organizing a lamellar purchase.

Thorbrandr, Philip, Turgeis, Ragnar Ribcracker, Jurgen and I are all in, and I think one or more of the UVa students is too. Still room for others, if we can all come to an agreement about what we want. Conservatively, we're now in the 1350 plate order range, assuming no one wants shoulder plates. And if I haven't radically underestimated the number of plates needed per person.

Like the old saying in IT ("Good. Fast. Cheap. Pick two.") we have a three dimensional decision process:

Cost, Performance, Appearance.

Cost is more or less directly related to the following two. The more suitable and better looking it is, the higher the cost. My ballpark

Performance reflects how protective and durable it is without being too heavy. Plastic wins here, then aluminum, then titanium, then thin gauge heat treated stainless, then thin gauge stainless. Anything else is an also-ran.

Appearance means two things: the material finish and the shape of the plate. Plastic looks like plastic. Aluminum without a finish on it looks like aluminum, and the only ones I've seen that really look good are the anodized acid washed ones from a vendor Bryce sent me, and those run over $1 a piece. (Bryce--I can't find that site. Please send it again.)
So far, I am the only person who has mentioned a preference for a specific style of plate. My intuition is that ordering all of one type and size of plate will be cheaper than mixing and matching, but I have yet to confirm this with a vendor. The more rectangular the plate, the less waste, but as long as we don't go for any huge amount of curve, that should be negligible in the price issue.
So, for appearance, a "non-bright" stainless would be best. After that, titanium, then the acid-anodized aluminum. Everything else is an also ran.

Of course, titanium costs a fortune. Heat treated stainless is probably also expensive. As mentioned, so are the acid-anodized aluminum ones. My guess for the sweet spot between Cost, Performance and Appearance is 20 gauge stainless. White Moutain Armory has them for .60 a piece in stock, and they have a reputation for quality. What I don't know is the weight and durability of his steel stock. (Durability as in "doesn't get all bent up" not "wears out.")
Polar Bear Forge has attractive pricing and has gotten good reviews as well, but again I wonder about the alloy. Though the guy at Polar Bear has been very open to questions.

Since I know the people at Darkwood Armory, they naturally came to mind. In particular, I'm sold on their knowledge of alloys. As an example, look at my or Kit's helmets, which are stainless steel but don't look like stainless steel. So I know they can find us a great durable and light stainless alloy for the plates. Doesn't mean I'm sold on them, but I want them in the evaluation process. If they can be cost competitive, we'll probably get a better product.

That's where I am right now. This post needs to trigger any last minute thoughts people have about the whole thing. I'll email it to those who don't read this stuff.

For a while now, I've been considering changing to a more period body armor. Since mail is no good for protecting against rattan blows, that means lamellar if I want a period body armor.

Polar Bear Forge has some pretty attractive prices for lamellar, though I'm not sure about their materials. Probably fine, I just like to think that getting the best possible alloy of steel might mean a weight-to-look ratio that will be more acceptable. So I'm also talking to Osprey et al at Darkwood, since their expertise at alloys is very high. No, Darkwood does not currently stock or even make lamellar.

I mention this because a bulk order may save some money, if only on shipping. Philip, Turgeis, Ragnar Ribcracker and a couple of the UVa students are also interested, so we are already in range of a bulk order. The more the merrier though!

Assuming a normal sized person and a medium sized individual plate, body armor out of lamellar requires around 200 plates, and the target price I would like to get to is less than or equal to 60¢ per plate. So pretty affordable.

Details of alloy (or even type of metal: steel vs. aluminum or titanium) and style of plate are up for debate, and it may not actually matter about the style, since we might be able to get a bulk discount on several styles ordered together. Yes, titanium will be more than 60¢ a plate.

My time schedule would be to have these in time for me to finish the shirt by Pennsic, though Turgeis would prefer by Sapphire. Either is possible, I think.

Other questions? Chime in.

And soon a new camail for it!

Thanks Caleb!

After 14 years with the old helm, I can almost taste this new one.

Thanks so much to Caleb for agreeing to do it, and to Osprey for sending me the pic.

Obviously this is not done yet. I think Caleb is adding the backplate today, which will have holes for a camail attachment. And then there is brass work to add.

14 gauge stainless, an eight of an inch narrower. The breaths are much larger, so breathing and seeing and drinking should be easier.

I am probably getting a titanium welded flat link camail for it.

Yay!

update:The helmet arrived today, and it is beautiful, fits right, and won't ever rust! I've got a second hand titanium camail from Knut coming for it. Time to get busy making that portmanteau I'm trading it for.

As for the last several years, we're hosting a New Year's Eve Party at Two Dog Hill. And as with most things at our place, it will probably be more than a party: armor making, book research, dancing, cider racking, wine tasting, fight practicing and general craftiness are all on tap. I know for certain that siobhan_sca intends to attend for several days so we can hang a shield for her, do some instruction, figure out armor and perhaps make some gear for her. She is leaning toward Roman with lamellar. I've been thinking of the latter myself for a while. Maybe we should buy some plates ahead of that week.

I'm casting about for a party theme, as I think we have probably used up the novelty of the last two years' "Hats" theme. At the moment, I'm thinking of "Welcome to the Second Great Depression." Instead of soup kitchens, it is nursing a single cup of coffee and a worn out laptop sucking down free wifi at Panera to cruise Linkedin for job prospects. You get the idea.

Ok, not compelling. Help a guy out here!

If you have been before, you're invited again. If you think you would be welcome this time, you almost certainly are. Just let us know you would like to attend so we know how to plan. Bedrooms are first come first serve, as are the sofas.

Tonight is the last fight practice at UVa for the year. Between weather, exams and the holidays, attendance gets pretty dicey after this.

But now that I have 3 weeks or so of free Thursdays, if there is anyone local who wants to fill one of them up with projects over at my place, just let me know. We can get some gear done! I'm particularly looking at Danny, Jonathan, Landi and anyone else who will be around over the break.

Other dates are possible to. Talk to me.