Leatherwork

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.

Just found this and thought it useful for anyone interested in leather decoration and the peculiar instructional styles of the early 20th century in in England.

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 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.

How's that for getting a jump on things?

Really, the packing is because of the complicated relationship between Roland & Theo's trailer, its storage on our back 4 acres, our truck's small engine and Thjora's desire to attend Tuesday practice in NoVA tomorrow. I'll leave it at that.

What it means though, is that tonight I must decide which parts of my armor I can pack into the trailer, not to be seen again until setting up camp at the War. So I've got to decide what repairs and refurbishments absolutely require my shop and which can wait for the Sunday after land grab. Also, a few thing really really ought to go up even if they require my shop, so, for example, along with packing it I have to polish my helm tonight.

Tonight also qualifies as the first "free" night I've had since Sunday the 8th, making the past week the busiest SCA week I've had, and the most fighting I've done since last Pennsic. Thjora and I are both tired, but it was a fun week and a great weekend at Novice Tourney. Watch this site for some video of a few fights from the Unbelted Semis and Finals.

Since at least some of my gear won't be home after tomorrow, I won't be fighting at the UVa practice this week. Next week every sane person will be busy packing for the war, so no practice then anyway.
<!-- technorati tags start -->

Technorati Tags: armor, Pennsic, SCA

<!-- technorati tags end -->

I remember the old days, when I had big projects to accomplish before the war each year. This year, all I have is:

1. Staining the war polearm
2. New Gaiter Lace
3. Clean Gaiters
4. Maybe shoe covers
5. Add Fibia Plates to new knees
6. Replace 7 aluminum chicago screws with copper rivets in the new knees
7. Replace broken vambrace strap
8. Flare new vambrace cuffs
9. Find & purchase new elbow pads
10. Swap camail cord
11. Polish Helm
12. Check/replace chin straps
13. Check/refurbish helm crest
14. Check/refurbish gauntlets
15. Add strap & buckle to shield elbow
16. White belt refurbishment x2

And those are for me. I also have promised to finish Thjora's portmanteau, which needs lots of stitching, and to finish painting her achievement on her buckler. See, no big projects.

We need a weapon rack, if anyone else in camp would like to provide one.
<!-- technorati tags start -->

Technorati Tags: Armor & Weapons, Pennsic, SCA

<!-- technorati tags end -->

• No, I don't plan to buy an iPhone today. But I may go by the Emmet Street AT&T store after work to take some pictures for posting at Different Computers and just to see how strong the demand is. Buying one and returning it would cost $50.
• At the last minute, I've decided to take off Monday and Tuesday. (Noticing I had 167 hours of annual leave helped with that decision.) I'll be around the house. Stop by if you like. Tentative plans involve emptying the utility room prior to its renovation into a mudroom.
• Sometime this weekend, there's a chance we might go shooting with Kirk & Cyn.
• No game on Tuesday, probably not on Monday either. Sunday may be a sewing and armor day.
• If we don't shoot on Saturday, we might on the 4th, up at Cyn's dad's place. If not, we'll be grilling and lounging and having fun. You're invited. Bring something to grill, lounge on or have fun with, like a copy of Twilight Princess.
• I have begun the "Wii workout routine." That required buying a Wii. It's a good workout, especially since it seems to be one that I'll do regularly. So regularly that it amuses Thjora. I've been sore every day since I bought it.

<!-- technorati tags start -->

Technorati Tags: Friends, Wii

<!-- technorati tags end -->