Sunday, July 24, 2005
Everyone, repeat after me....
YAHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
I did it. I have met the deadline, and am going to be able to fight at Pennsic! On one of the hottest days this summer, with the humidity at least 130% (OK, so it felt that way), Sir Loric came on over to see what I had been up to lately (the last time he saw me I had poisoned myself, but that is another very long story...).
There was a bit of time there that I was beginning to doubt I was going to make the deadline for authorization (for Pennsic, deadline is next week), but Sir Loric, our Marshal - Michael, Lord Rafael, and Lord Ezekiel all seemed to think that my armour is good, my shots are strong, and I don't flinch (although it would probably help if I actually kept my eyes open when I throw a shot... hehe). I had so wanted to fight Oldcastle style, but I think the muscle memory was getting in my way. Maybe it was 15 years since I last fought (more like 22 or so since I was *actively* fighting and training Marines out at 29 Palms to fight), but it seems to be like riding a bicycle. I just could not seem to keep my sword up, back, and cocked--- let alone keeping my shield pointing out in front of me. I kept squaring up, shield foot forward.
But I feel good, great, as a matter of fact. Maybe I will actually fight in Baronial Champs next Sunday too. Hmmm... Here are a few shots from my authorization fight:
Unfortunately, blogger does not seem to allow movies, so I will have to put it up at www.artisansrow.org/rozauthorizes.mov It may be slow. (I didn't know Ralph was shooting video, let alone audio...) Oops.
I still have many things to finish (rather to adjust), such as:
I did it. I have met the deadline, and am going to be able to fight at Pennsic! On one of the hottest days this summer, with the humidity at least 130% (OK, so it felt that way), Sir Loric came on over to see what I had been up to lately (the last time he saw me I had poisoned myself, but that is another very long story...).
There was a bit of time there that I was beginning to doubt I was going to make the deadline for authorization (for Pennsic, deadline is next week), but Sir Loric, our Marshal - Michael, Lord Rafael, and Lord Ezekiel all seemed to think that my armour is good, my shots are strong, and I don't flinch (although it would probably help if I actually kept my eyes open when I throw a shot... hehe). I had so wanted to fight Oldcastle style, but I think the muscle memory was getting in my way. Maybe it was 15 years since I last fought (more like 22 or so since I was *actively* fighting and training Marines out at 29 Palms to fight), but it seems to be like riding a bicycle. I just could not seem to keep my sword up, back, and cocked--- let alone keeping my shield pointing out in front of me. I kept squaring up, shield foot forward.
But I feel good, great, as a matter of fact. Maybe I will actually fight in Baronial Champs next Sunday too. Hmmm... Here are a few shots from my authorization fight:
Unfortunately, blogger does not seem to allow movies, so I will have to put it up at www.artisansrow.org/rozauthorizes.mov It may be slow. (I didn't know Ralph was shooting video, let alone audio...) Oops.
I still have many things to finish (rather to adjust), such as:
- remembering to put the boots back in the armour box after I take them off, before the next practice....
- Those that know me (and who knew Carlwyn) know that those are not my arms. In truth, I am contemplating changing mine; in the meantime, I am going to make a red shield cover - a different one than I already started in white - (and am getting a nice spiff red surcoat made too...) for Pennsic.
- I need to continue looking for the Underarmour shirts (maybe I will splurge for the leggings, too), which is going to take a trip into Atlanta, since we do not have a Sports Authority here in Athens. It is unbelievable, but the sporting goods stores here have only the short sleeve ones in stock, and -NO- one seems to have female groin protection).
- I already took an inch out of the C-belt, and I either need to take another inch out or make a new one (no, I seriously doubt that I have lost two inches off my waist since I made the belt a couple weeks ago). I am leaning towards a new one, out of slightly thicker leather, as this one kind of curls (and really stretches too).
- I really need to make a new gorget; I am very uncomfortable with the thickness of the padding on the one I got from Vickie, but am loathe to remove the it. Besides, I really like the ones Master Geoffrey makes and feel certain I can make one similar in an evening in the shop.
- I need to put a basket on the shield, and adjust the straping.
- I need to move the thigh straps on the legs up about 5 inches, and put in straps at the knees, so that I can loosen the laces around my calves.
- Straps rather than laces for the elbows would probably be good too.
- And, I need to adjust the shoulder straps on the breast-plate (they need to be slanted where they attach to the plastic, so they "curve out" a bit). Of course, that will mean redoing the attachment of the spaulders.
- Oh, and at least one more arming cap, with another inch of padding in the top of the helm to make it sit a bit higher on my head (it tends to "mush down" a bit when I tighten the chin strap, so that I am looking straight into one of the bars).
And I need to remember when to quit. I was so psyched that I didn't want to stop, and got rather overheated. I am home, and have had a shower; all is better now. Well, mostly. I am still on an adrenaline high here. I think the grandkid David and I will go out for ice cream to celebrate.
Til next time~~~
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
WHAT A HOOT!!!!!!!!!!
I had forgotten just how much fun that is. Yes, it happened. Roz actually got to put on the whole armor fit, and swing a stick at a live, moving target!
For a while this evening, it seemed as if my fighting debut was going to be postponed, yet again. But the heavens cooperated, and did not open upon us...
Got all the gear on, and of course found several things that need to be adjusted. The c-belt and legs--- the belt stretched so much with the weight of the legs and the legs might just be too long period that the knee cops were 6 inches below my knees. Mike says he has an extra set of legs that are much shorter, and will bring them to practice on Sunday for me to try out, in the interest of authorizing in time.
Additionally, I have decided to remove the side straps from the breast plate, as they are way and are way too hard to fasten for myself. A belt around the whole thing will be plenty to hold it together. Don't know why I thought I needed two straps to close it at the side. ;)
The spaulders I hung right from the leather straps of the breast plate with leather lacing, but that seemed to be rubbing just a bit on the points of my shoulders. I think I need to rivet straps to the spaulders and then rivet the straps to the straps, but am a bit concerned with the rivets doing the same thing.
The gorget is way too thick, with the heavy padding, and I am trying to decide whether I want to just make a new one (it looks really easy compared to the spaulders) or re-pad this one. I will more than likely go with making a whole new one, lined in suede. Sounds like an easy afternoon project.
Michael, our marshal, says that there should be no problem with me authorizing by the 30th. I know the rules of the list, understand the target areas, and most importantly, he said I don't flinch when he hits. Given the difficulty with my legs, we started off doing slow work. We spent 15 minutes going over basic moves, then went at it. I think I surprised him a bit. I actually got through his defense and tagged him a couple of times (as he would have tagged me more that twice, had he actually been throwing with any speed), and he sees no problems with the calibration on my blows.
Anyway, I had a blast. Wish I had done it sooner....
Til next time---
For a while this evening, it seemed as if my fighting debut was going to be postponed, yet again. But the heavens cooperated, and did not open upon us...
Got all the gear on, and of course found several things that need to be adjusted. The c-belt and legs--- the belt stretched so much with the weight of the legs and the legs might just be too long period that the knee cops were 6 inches below my knees. Mike says he has an extra set of legs that are much shorter, and will bring them to practice on Sunday for me to try out, in the interest of authorizing in time.
Additionally, I have decided to remove the side straps from the breast plate, as they are way and are way too hard to fasten for myself. A belt around the whole thing will be plenty to hold it together. Don't know why I thought I needed two straps to close it at the side. ;)
The spaulders I hung right from the leather straps of the breast plate with leather lacing, but that seemed to be rubbing just a bit on the points of my shoulders. I think I need to rivet straps to the spaulders and then rivet the straps to the straps, but am a bit concerned with the rivets doing the same thing.
The gorget is way too thick, with the heavy padding, and I am trying to decide whether I want to just make a new one (it looks really easy compared to the spaulders) or re-pad this one. I will more than likely go with making a whole new one, lined in suede. Sounds like an easy afternoon project.
Michael, our marshal, says that there should be no problem with me authorizing by the 30th. I know the rules of the list, understand the target areas, and most importantly, he said I don't flinch when he hits. Given the difficulty with my legs, we started off doing slow work. We spent 15 minutes going over basic moves, then went at it. I think I surprised him a bit. I actually got through his defense and tagged him a couple of times (as he would have tagged me more that twice, had he actually been throwing with any speed), and he sees no problems with the calibration on my blows.
Anyway, I had a blast. Wish I had done it sooner....
Til next time---
Monday, July 18, 2005
Chest Protection….
Oh, the trials and tribulations! You may remember that I had been working on the plastic lamellar, but that I changed to a coat of plates, to be able to make everything match up with the other armor. I was working on the coat of plates (took the old thing apart, drilled the holes for the rivets in the extra aluminum plates, made a shell - I hate sewing), just waiting for the jiffy rivets to arrive. Well, silly me, I did not actually measure the thickness of the canvas, the plates, and the covering. Had I done so, I would have known that I needed the medium length, not the short. I now have 1000 nickel plated short quick rivets (Tandy style) that I do not need. I will attempt to exchange them (I am sure it will not be an issue), but time is a factor.
Remember that old Baronial loaner armor I spoke of earlier? Since I had permission to use whatever I needed (I will be making donations to the loaner armor…), I grabbed the plastic chest plate. Here it is in its raw state:
I cut off the bottom of the back (it was really too long) and trimmed the front. The neat thing about the plastic is that if you are very careful, you can mold it using a moderate heat. Showing great versatility, I used my Hot Head glass bead torch, brushing the flame across the surface that I wanted to form. You could possibly use a propane plumbers torch, although the flame may be too intensely focused. I then used my little mini anvil to apply steady pressure to the area I needed to flatten. After allowing it to cool down, the plastic retains the shape (in this case, flat). I had to form the bottom of the breastplate, as well as open the back plate, significantly in some places. L It was still not quite large enough to go around, so I made some trapezoidal plates to go in the sides. I made hinges out of leather, and strapped the whole thing up. Here is the almost finished product:
I believe I will be able to attach my new spaulders to the shoulder straps, but want to get some feedback from the marshals first. I may do straps for them similar to the leather arm harness, so we shall see. In any case, here is the finished breast plate. It needs to be covered (I think) although I may just leave it as is, and never not wear a surcoat. I do feel a bit like a trussed up turkey in the thing, but if I continue (and I had better) to loose weight, I may need to take it in, and it will fit better. Oh, and the leftover pieces got made into groin protection.
Fighter practice, here I come…..
Remember that old Baronial loaner armor I spoke of earlier? Since I had permission to use whatever I needed (I will be making donations to the loaner armor…), I grabbed the plastic chest plate. Here it is in its raw state:
I cut off the bottom of the back (it was really too long) and trimmed the front. The neat thing about the plastic is that if you are very careful, you can mold it using a moderate heat. Showing great versatility, I used my Hot Head glass bead torch, brushing the flame across the surface that I wanted to form. You could possibly use a propane plumbers torch, although the flame may be too intensely focused. I then used my little mini anvil to apply steady pressure to the area I needed to flatten. After allowing it to cool down, the plastic retains the shape (in this case, flat). I had to form the bottom of the breastplate, as well as open the back plate, significantly in some places. L It was still not quite large enough to go around, so I made some trapezoidal plates to go in the sides. I made hinges out of leather, and strapped the whole thing up. Here is the almost finished product:
I believe I will be able to attach my new spaulders to the shoulder straps, but want to get some feedback from the marshals first. I may do straps for them similar to the leather arm harness, so we shall see. In any case, here is the finished breast plate. It needs to be covered (I think) although I may just leave it as is, and never not wear a surcoat. I do feel a bit like a trussed up turkey in the thing, but if I continue (and I had better) to loose weight, I may need to take it in, and it will fit better. Oh, and the leftover pieces got made into groin protection.
Fighter practice, here I come…..
C-Belt…
My girth was enough that I did not feel comfortable in the kidney belt/leg suspension system that I got from Vickie, so I ended up making a c-belt. Once I got it thru my skull just what it was supposed to look like (thank you, House Ironrose, for answering yet another seemingly endless round of questions), the manufacturer of it was quite simple. Or it would have been, had one of two things happened first.
One: I needed to have gotten assistance in making the bloody pattern. The old T-shirt and duct tape method worked, but it is really difficult to wrap the tape around myself with steady pressure—let alone marking the pattern and cutting it off. Quite a challenge I do not care to repeat anytime soon.
–OR--
Two: I should have talked to Duchess Elena de Neuham first. When she made hers, she had the presence of mind to use an old pair of worn out jeans. The waistband is in the right spot. The fit is right. Just draw the outline on the jean material to make the pattern and go. No messing with duct tape and scissors. So, if you ever need to make a C-belt, my reccomendation is to find those old jeans.
All I can saw is that leatherwork is way too much like sewing for my taste.
Oh, here is a picture of my completed belt. I haven’t decided if I am going to dye it, leave it natural, or oil it. It will be completely hidden by my surcoat (or the coat of plates), so it doesn’t really matter what it looks like.
One: I needed to have gotten assistance in making the bloody pattern. The old T-shirt and duct tape method worked, but it is really difficult to wrap the tape around myself with steady pressure—let alone marking the pattern and cutting it off. Quite a challenge I do not care to repeat anytime soon.
–OR--
Two: I should have talked to Duchess Elena de Neuham first. When she made hers, she had the presence of mind to use an old pair of worn out jeans. The waistband is in the right spot. The fit is right. Just draw the outline on the jean material to make the pattern and go. No messing with duct tape and scissors. So, if you ever need to make a C-belt, my reccomendation is to find those old jeans.
All I can saw is that leatherwork is way too much like sewing for my taste.
Oh, here is a picture of my completed belt. I haven’t decided if I am going to dye it, leave it natural, or oil it. It will be completely hidden by my surcoat (or the coat of plates), so it doesn’t really matter what it looks like.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Spaulders.........
OK, I have something cool to show:
I want to take a moment to publicly commend His Excellency, Lord Gwydion BraichHir, O'RhDurhos, the Baron of Bryn Madoc for hosting the open armouring workshops at his home. The past two Thursday evenings, I went up to his shop and produced these lovely 16 gauge Stainless Steel spaulders with my very own hands. I am very proud of them - they came out far better than I had expected, and will now go very nicely with the rest of the kit I have to put together. Don't you agree they are mighty nice?
Monday, July 04, 2005
Happy 4th of July!!
What a great weekend! I have to say, this was the best Fourth so far with David. I thought he was going to flip out with the fireworks! Couldn't get him to leave, not even when the fireworks were over, because Mother Nature decided to provide her own light show.
I have borrowed this nifty, cool digital camera from Jessie, and am able to post pictures of my projects, among other things.... . This is my grandson David--- isn't he a cutie?
I have borrowed this nifty, cool digital camera from Jessie, and am able to post pictures of my projects, among other things.... . This is my grandson David--- isn't he a cutie?
This was a productive weekend. I made a couple of things (non-armour, but that is ok on occasion), one in the wood shop, the other in the jewelry studio......
Every dead Queen deserves a cool squire's belt (particularity if she is a squire). With the upcoming natal day of one of our favorite dead queens quickly approaching, the Muse struck (and She cannot be ignored...). The rose mount is now finished. The picture really doesn't do it justice (the closeup function doesn't *really* work for jewelry). I am using a mostly non-period methods of production on this project. I pierced out the roses from a sheet of 14 gauge brass with my saw, and used files and my flex shaft to shape the two pieces, which I then soldered together. The hole in the center is for the rivet. I have made a rubber mold, and have begun shooting waxes. I will use lost wax casting to cast the 35+ roses and the buckle and belt tip in Sterling silver.
When giving a gift, the presentation plays a large part in the enjoyment of the giving. I just happen to know that this paricular dead queen does not have (or did not appear to have) a nice jewelry case for her SCA jewelry. Using ye old trusty six-board box pattern, I constructed this box out of Red Oak. The boards themselves were fairly inexpensive at Home Depot, in the cut craft board section. Actually already had the wood on hand, from a previous project, else this might not have gotten done... The overall dimensions of the box are 8"Wx8"Tx5.5"D
Note: when you need to get the right color on something, but don't have the person nearby, DMC floss works great....
