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Post by Dalin Caulder on Oct 20, 2017 14:33:11 GMT
I am considering making a Jack of plate or brigandine armour. I was wondering if anyone had experience making such armour/knew the best place to buy pieces to make armour. I have some fabric and some roofing metal, but wasn't sure how appropriate or how well this might hold up. Any suggestions on materials I should seek out or consider before getting started with what I have.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Oct 20, 2017 18:15:10 GMT
I bought mine ready to wear, well almost as over time I modified a little, from KoA. If you have access to materials go for it. As for me I don't and have to import most everything so it was cheaper to order ready made. Let us know how it turned out.
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Post by Cosmoline on Oct 20, 2017 18:37:01 GMT
The big difference I'm aware of is that the early coat of plates were shoulder-borne while the later jack of plates/brigandine tended to be tailor cut. Obviously the tailored one is much more tricky. Personally I would not attempt it, but you can do a simple style coat of plates on a gusset & gore tunic/gambeson pattern. Heavy linen would work well, preferably several layers to ensure sound purchase for however you decided to lock down the plates.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Oct 20, 2017 23:56:32 GMT
It depends on what you want it for. Just to wear around and look somewhat authentic, go for thin plates (no more than 1.2mm thick (if steel), and you could go to 0.8mm and still be authentic). Easy to cut, and easy to curve if you want it shaped to your body. But 1mm steel plates will dent/fold/crumple if you do re-enactment fighting in it, so thicker is better if you want lower maintenance armour. But thicker will result in very heavy brigandine. One option is to reduce the amount of overlap, possibly even eliminating overlap altogether (not authentic, and not recommended for real battle, since arrows will go through the gaps between the plates). For non-overlapping construction, you can use something other than steel (e.g., polycarbonate) and get something light, tough, rust proof, mould proof, and dent/crumple proof.
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Scott
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Post by Scott on Oct 21, 2017 2:53:14 GMT
Roofing metal might be too thin, it loves to cut your handset could make a mess of the fabric too. Is your fabric canvas or something of a similar weight? The fabric will wear out sooner or later so go with a solid construction so you don't have to patch it up constantly. Coat the metal plates to keep them from rusting. Or use stainless. Play around with the pattern until it's right. Make sure it's big enough to fit over whatever you're going to be wearing under it, and take into account the bulk that multiple layers of fabric and steel will add. Nothing sucks like finishing sewing then realising it's too small...
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Post by Dalin Caulder on Oct 22, 2017 17:36:27 GMT
Roofing metal might be too thin, it loves to cut your handset could make a mess of the fabric too. Is your fabric canvas or something of a similar weight? The fabric will wear out sooner or later so go with a solid construction so you don't have to patch it up constantly. Coat the metal plates to keep them from rusting. Or use stainless. Play around with the pattern until it's right. Make sure it's big enough to fit over whatever you're going to be wearing under it, and take into account the bulk that multiple layers of fabric and steel will add. Nothing sucks like finishing sewing then realising it's too small... I have some broadcloth and am looking at picking up either Canvas or Medium-Heavy Linen
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Oct 24, 2017 16:01:51 GMT
I believe there's a topic over on myArmoury that shows some good photos of a work-in-progress. You might see if you can find it. I'm sure the pics could give you a good idea of how to go about it. It's been a while back, so you may have to do some digging. .....Chris
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Scott
Member
Posts: 1,680
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Post by Scott on Oct 25, 2017 0:41:23 GMT
Roofing metal might be too thin, it loves to cut your handset could make a mess of the fabric too. Is your fabric canvas or something of a similar weight? The fabric will wear out sooner or later so go with a solid construction so you don't have to patch it up constantly. Coat the metal plates to keep them from rusting. Or use stainless. Play around with the pattern until it's right. Make sure it's big enough to fit over whatever you're going to be wearing under it, and take into account the bulk that multiple layers of fabric and steel will add. Nothing sucks like finishing sewing then realising it's too small... I have some broadcloth and am looking at picking up either Canvas or Medium-Heavy Linen Should be fine. Also buy an awl to put any rivet or eyelet holes in, they're cheap even if you want a nice bone awl. An awl is better than a punch as it causes less damage to the fibres of your fabric so it lasts longer. Have you looked at the armour archive? A good place to look for information on any armour making plans you might have.
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Post by Dalin Caulder on Oct 25, 2017 18:46:07 GMT
Yeah, I saw a pattern for jack of plate/brigandine on Armour Archive. My wife used to do Fashion design in college, I'll see if she has an awl, if not I know a bunch of historical clothing makers in local historical societies that could either lend me one or suggest the right type to buy.
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