Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Feb 2, 2021 3:43:43 GMT
I'm trying to source a relatively inexpensive, close-fitting steel cap to serve as the protective foundation of a fancy helmet/hat/headdress/crown project I'm considering.
Ideally, once I am finished the steel will be completely covered in layers of decorative leather, textiles, and semiprecious stones. Conceptually, this is something like the crown/headdress of a warrior-king. It would be a mixture of practical protection, display of wealth, and symbol of office.
My intention is to affix a somewhat permanent padded liner, so there won't be a need for an arming cap, and the chinstrap will be something like the shinobi-no-o used on samurai kabuto. The trick is that I need a quality steel cap, but without too much bulk. The idea is for the headdress to not look explicitly like a helmet.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 2, 2021 12:17:54 GMT
I was going to say don't forget to allow for some padding, but you've already thought of that.
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Post by mrbadexample on Feb 2, 2021 12:48:45 GMT
I had a similar but less fancy plan a while back. I eventually arrived at the conclusion that I would need to dish it out myself. I’ll be watching with interest to see what you can find.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Feb 2, 2021 13:47:35 GMT
Whats your budget?
The absolute BEST way to get what you want is to go custom, which won't be as expensive as you think.
My last custom helm, I sent head measurements, and I even gave him a custom foam liner that was a perfect mirror of my head shape.
Since it sounds like you'll cover it completely, it does not need a high level of finishing/polish.
I'd be SHOCKED if you paid more than 100.00 for one...
Just saying.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Feb 3, 2021 2:01:37 GMT
Kult of Athena and Medieval Collectibles both feature 'bowl helmets'...about as plain as you can get, and begging for a dress-up. I've thought three dozen times about getting one and adding cow horns or deer antlers.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Feb 3, 2021 2:37:26 GMT
And does it *have* to be metal?
Kydex is pretty easy to form...
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Post by demonskull on Feb 3, 2021 2:41:04 GMT
You might want to purchase an old Air Warden (Civil Defense ) helmet. You'd have to cut off the brim but, it's not difficult with and angle grinder or even a hacksaw. They generally have a suspension system in place held in with rivets. You could either drill out the rivets and make your own or use the existing one and hide the rivets under leather or behind the crown piece. I made a nasel helm from one and my brother used one to make a Goggle type Spangel helm from one with attached maille neck guard.
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,659
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Feb 3, 2021 2:43:04 GMT
Whats your budget? The absolute BEST way to get what you want is to go custom, which won't be as expensive as you think. My last custom helm, I sent head measurements, and I even gave him a custom foam liner that was a perfect mirror of my head shape. Since it sounds like you'll cover it completely, it does not need a high level of finishing/polish. I'd be SHOCKED if you paid more than 100.00 for one... Just saying. Since it is going to be completely covered in other materials, I would like to keep the steel helmet component at, or below $200 USD. |
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,659
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Feb 3, 2021 2:59:01 GMT
Kult of Athena and Medieval Collectibles both feature 'bowl helmets'...about as plain as you can get, and begging for a dress-up. I've thought three dozen times about getting one and adding cow horns or deer antlers. I've poked around, and prefer something along the lines of a 14-16 gauge steel "secret helmet." Tomasz Samuła out of Poland ( link) has some beautiful stuff, but they are basically too nice for me to do what I'm planning to do to it. |
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Feb 3, 2021 3:05:09 GMT
And does it *have* to be metal? Kydex is pretty easy to form... It does have to be metal, preferably steel or bronze. My goal isn't to make a costume piece for the sake of wearing it comfortably. I have a particular concept I want to try and create, and I would know that I'd taken a short-cut which compromised that concept. There is nothing inherently wrong with doing what you suggested, but it doesn't feel right for this project. |
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,659
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Feb 3, 2021 3:10:19 GMT
You might want to purchase an old Air Warden (Civil Defense ) helmet. You'd have to cut off the brim but, it's not difficult with and angle grinder or even a hacksaw. They generally have a suspension system in place held in with rivets. You could either drill out the rivets and make your own or use the existing one and hide the rivets under leather or behind the crown piece. I made a nasel helm from one and my brother used one to make a Goggle type Spangel helm from one with attached maille neck guard. I'll look into those. Cheers. |
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Feb 3, 2021 14:42:56 GMT
Maybe wander around your local army/navy store, just to get ideas.
I mean a Vietnam era one would work...
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Feb 3, 2021 16:51:30 GMT
The good Sir is absolutely right. War-era steel helmets make an excellent base, and are easily customized. I made one several years ago (and like a fool, I sold it.) Plus, you get the added bonus of a liner and chin-strap...though you might want to re-think the chin-strap into something a little more 'period-correct'.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Feb 3, 2021 16:59:12 GMT
Right! And different countries have different shapes. Maybe the Serbian ones? Or Japan///China has a smooth sided one. IMO, if you're hanging any sort of aventail from it...maybe one like the old German helms. Just helping overthink it.  |
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Feb 3, 2021 17:08:24 GMT
One of the old German helmets with the outward-turned back rim would look cool as heck with some mail attached, imho. Of course, then you'd have to add some horns or wings...just for s...ts and giggles.  |
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marcofthecovenant
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Serpent's breath, charm of death and life, thy omen of making
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Post by marcofthecovenant on Feb 3, 2021 17:31:19 GMT
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Feb 4, 2021 19:45:09 GMT
I just figured out the project...  Don't hate me... |
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Post by Paul Muad’Dib on Feb 4, 2021 22:09:33 GMT
I just figured out the project... Don't hate me... NO! Say it ain’t so Zen! Made me laugh out loud Sir Thorfinn. |
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Feb 4, 2021 23:03:54 GMT
Y'all got jokes, huh?
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 5, 2021 0:40:54 GMT
You stated close fitting. My experience with the American dish pan helmet (preceded the MI) and the British helmets are not close fitting but are well constructed.
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