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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2009 12:52:23 GMT
Well, I just got my Ravenswood Leather gear in. I opted for the Huntsman's Jerkin and Hooded Mantle with Dagged Hood. I also added a small pouch for my cellphone (as if I did not have enough pouches). I was suprised at the turn-around on it. Only 10 days from ordering to reciept for total customization to my size. Here is the link: www.ravenswoodleather.com/It arrived last evening via Fed Ex. It was well packaged and in perfect condition upon reciept. Suprisingly, Ravenswood included ANOTHER small free bonus pouch - a nice touch. The bonus pouch is large enough to hold a cellphone itself, and though not equipped with a belt loop - it will safeguard any odds and ends I want to keep seperate in one of my larger pouches or serve to keep extra money or small items tucked inside my boot cuff. The leather Ravenswood is a slightly thicker grade than your typical faire vendor. Also, their stitching seems to be superior - everything looks like its been stitched 4 seperate times with quality waxed thread. The fittings are rock solid, riveted through the leather rather than being sewn on. The details are amazing - the leather has a rich natural grain and the nickle-silver buttons have delicate engraved Wytherin-style reliefs. The mandarin collar on the surcoat is nice and stiff to hold its form, but not uncomfortable. Movement in the leather is exceptionally comfortable, as the leather is thicker grade - yet the interior is very soft, akin to deer hide or chamois. The cut is nice and roomy, yet still flattering on me (something that my regular uniform is not - LOL). It's tailor made, not generically sized, but still one wonders about ordering stuff made to fit. This does fit and I am quite happy with it. I took a few pics this morning, I was so excited to try it on. I felt like an evil character from a AD&D adventure back in my college days. I did not choose a historical basis for this leather - I was just going for a generic bad guy look. I think this leather works. Assassin, mercenary, disguised noble, bad sheriff, thug, or executioner - this getup fits the bill for all descriptions one could use. This is my alternate wear for when the armor gets to hot down here in the Dirty South. I am really pleased with the high quality of Ravenswood Leather and their quick turnaround time. I am highly impressed and would recommend them to anyone seeking leather clothing in the near future! Forgive the quality of my pictures. I was indoors and it was dark outside. Gas cans and storage bins not included!
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 19, 2009 13:53:20 GMT
Wow, 10 days is pretty good for all that. Took a whole month for the frog I ordered to get to me. This was a while ago, though.
I've been meaning to get some more stuff from them...
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SlayerofDarkness
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"Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt."
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Mar 19, 2009 14:53:50 GMT
NICE! You look awesome, Odin... And some very nice photography skills as well! I noticed that you didn't remove the 'red-eye' effect, though. Trying to add to your evil image? ;D Just out of curiosity, what sword is that? It looks like a certain AT blade that I'm drooling over, but also seems to sport a little of Del Tin's style... Thanks! -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2009 15:23:23 GMT
Very, very impressive! You do look good! You do look like an evil character from a AD&D adventure... Say, we're good. right? Just checking.
Congrats on your new threads, er, skins man!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2009 15:57:50 GMT
Odin gets ahold of some really cool looking gear, awesome!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2009 16:26:08 GMT
Nice outfit Odin! I cannot help but notice, the third photo screams Assassin's Creed to me
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 19, 2009 17:55:27 GMT
VERY nice... hope to see it in person when we see each other at the Georgia RenFest. ;D I love Ravenswood Leather... so far I have only gotten a pouch and some deerhide guantlets from them... but I have been DROOLING over many other items from them for a long, LONG time.
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Post by septofclansinclair on Mar 19, 2009 18:13:10 GMT
Odin, that gear looks great... Does it give you +2 to your Dex? ;D
I'd be curious how much a getup like that would cost... would you share it by PM?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2009 22:41:01 GMT
Thanks for the complements. Here is more info: The sword is the Del Tin 5161 I reviewed a couple weeks back. I got it from KoA. Though you can't see it, I am wearing a custom 4-strap suspension baldric decorated with Celtic Dragon conchos I got a few months ago for another sword. I carry the Del Tin in my wood core ATrim Practical scabbard (it was a perfect fit). Though not photoed, this outfit looks equally nice with my DSA Black Knight / Christian Fletcher Ranger belt. I'll probably be switching weapons off, because I have alot of swords that need air time this year! The cost on something like this is not for the squeemish, but it is FAR FAR less than buying it at the Ren Faire or other period event. It's worth the cost because it actually fits and is not overly large like when I order MRL stuff in my size. All the leather from Ravenswood ran about $370.00 (surcoat, full mantle, and pouch). The boots came from www.scaboots.com and ran $100. The black MRL Warrior Belt came from KoA and was $39. The tunic and pants came from By The Sword and cost around $80. So, its not cheap, but it is definately less money than doing an impulse buy at the faire and spending $450 on a surcoat or pair of overpriced pirate/faire gypsy boots. ;D My advice is to buy one thing at a time in advance and avoid paying inflated event prices where you can. You are still supporting the Ren Faire circuit because you are buying from the same vendors, but in the off-season or purchasing from directly from their websites, you will save alot of $$$ and beat the rush to get nice stuff before the season begins!
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 19, 2009 22:59:18 GMT
That's actually not bad at all. I would have expected a higher total.
Not too shabby.
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 19, 2009 23:04:02 GMT
Hey Odingaard... I have 3 pairs of boots from SCA boots... It seems you and I do a lot of our shopping for RenFaire Clothes at the same places...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2009 23:13:28 GMT
I am glad I found SCA Boots, I am suprised at the quality you get for $100 when comparing with the really high dollar guys out there. I had been wearing the same MRL suede high boots (w/ no fringe) for six years. I thought it was time for a change. LOL.
I cleaned out my arming chest and gave away or sold so much stuff it was not funny. I had 6 different surcoats, 10 tunics, maille hauberks, and other odds and ends that were just gathering dust. I decided to restock it with less stuff of better quality if you know what I mean!
<<< Changed to evil avatar. ;D
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 20, 2009 1:11:57 GMT
I am glad I found SCA Boots, I am suprised at the quality you get for $100 when comparing with the really high dollar guys out there. I had been wearing the same MRL suede high boots (w/ no fringe) for six years. I thought it was time for a change. LOL. I cleaned out my arming chest and gave away or sold so much stuff it was not funny. I had 6 different surcoats, 10 tunics, maille hauberks, and other odds and ends that were just gathering dust. I decided to restock it with less stuff of better quality if you know what I mean! <<< Changed to evil avatar. ;D Yeah... I love my SCA boots as well... certainly the best value on that style of boot I have found. If you have any extra rivited chain mail laying around... I'd be more then happy to take it off your hands. I still have a metric $emprini-load of cloaks and other extra clothes as well... I may be putting some of em up for sale here shortly. We will have to do some cordinating this upcoming RenFest... that, or I can just look for the evil black leather waring guy... corse you won't know who *I* am... ...until it's too late. Muahahahahahahahha!!! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2009 10:55:24 GMT
Do you wear these clothes in general or only at fairs and re-enactments?
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 20, 2009 11:23:17 GMT
Do you wear these clothes in general or only at fairs and re-enactments? I used to ware renfaire clothes durring everyday life when I lived in Monterey... everyone knew me there and sort of accepted my 'quirky' style... plus, it's California. People do weird s%*t in California. Since I moved to Georgia tho, not so much. I did it a couple times... but after one time I walked threw the mall warring my Swordsman shirt and pants... and EVERYONE was looking at me like I was a total nut... I decided not to ware my RenClothes out and about here.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2009 11:55:56 GMT
Wear my Renn clothes daily? Hell no. I am in law enforcement. I would probably be called up by the board and have my POST licensure revolked. It's unjustifiable, but then again, this is Georgia where the good ol' boy mentality is still very much alive and kicking. Even though I am outside the stereotypical clique, I still have to act in moderation. These rednecks in NW Georgia would not understand if you used a mace to get your point across. Getting caught going to the Renn faire or Dragon*Con wearing period stuff or armor is bad enough. The last time I was seen in armor by one of my co-workers, I heard about it for two years and there were rumors that I was 'one of them-there satanic witchcraft folks'. I tried talking one of my comrades into going to a faire with me, he was under the impression that the faire was, and I quote: "Renaissance faire? Those guys are gayer than a sack full of d*ck-flavored ball gags." It's wrong, I know. But you will go numb trying to explain or defend it. I've literally almost came to blows over it. I gave up years ago. So now, I sadly have to draw the line between work and faire-goings. The only good side effect is that EVERYONE comes to me if they are interested in getting an opinion on any type of sword! Perhaps this little step will make it change for some day, but for now, my clothes are only worn at the faire, Con, expo, WMA, or as seen above, in my garage!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2009 12:06:58 GMT
This might be kind of difficult for some to understand, but I don't think it will be you folks. I think "they" are the ones that are totally nuts. You are being yourself shadowhowler and Odin, they are just being what they see on TV and what they are being programed to be. I think you are the one that is being the individual. But. I understand not wanting to stand out too much also... I admire folks that can express themselves without putting others down... Just being themselves and not hurting anybody. I like unique people, like you folks! Bully for you! I'm proud to be associated with you all!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2009 12:34:06 GMT
I got into a pretty heated argument one time over it that I won't forget in North Carolina. I really can't state enough, this it pretty typical here in the rural South:
My girlfriend and I at the time were on our way back from the Carolina faire. We stopped for gas and I had not bothered to change out of my tunic, hosen, and boots. I did not think anything about it at the time because I had been dressed that way for two days. As I entered to pay for my gas, a guy made a comment about a costume party. I tried to explain that we had been at the Renn Faire all day and we heading home. He inititated an argument with me - talking about 'freaks' and 'weirdos'.
So there I was, a law enforcement officer with 15 years on the job, over 1700 hours of LE training, 18 years of military service, 3 combat tours, and a published novel under my belt trying to defend my character against an undereducated hillbilly in Po-Dunk, Western NC. At that point, I realized that it's best to just hide it than to try to defend it. Could you imagine had it turned aggressive and I had to use force / file a formal report what the media would have said? Coverage of the arrest or use of force where the freaky guy in tights that was probably affiliated with a homosexual satanic occult organization hurt poor old Joe Ragbag who had no dental care and 9 kids to feed? It would have been the end of my career FOREVER!
You are right and I apperciate your support greatly, they are the ones who are wrong. But, just as 12 mangy dogs can bring down a lion; 12 crazed rednecks can all say that you are a freak and it ruin your reputation. It's sad, but it's too true these days.
In the case of my profession, it has to be hidden. My WMA instructor and good friend is a LTC in the Army (the one that gave me the Churburg), and sadly, he has to do the exact same thing. There are quite a few like us around that have to lead a little bit of a dual life, but its worth avoiding the problems.
Yes, my name is Jonathan, and I am a closet Renny, sword collector, and WMA practitioner....
*takes off Hello Kitty mask and pink tutu, extinguishes pentagram of fire, takes rooster off the altar, puts away voodoo doll, and goes to bed*
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 20, 2009 19:51:51 GMT
Bah. My reputation is something that I build for myself, not what other people spread around for me. Many of my coworkers know of my hobbies and interests. Quite a few are even in on my er...heavily controversial, socially unacceptable interests. They uh...don't give a damn, really. Probably because I've made a point to tell them I don't care if they do or not. I'm pretty sure if I walked into my workplace (on a day off, mind) dressed in Ren Faire gear, they'd not say a word about it. Hell, I could probably wear a sword in if I behaved myself. I won't get too far into what some of the things I get into are, but I don't let what other people think of it stop me from doing it. I will share that I am, though, one of those crazy anime nerds or whatever the general public is calling us these days, and I not only wear t-shirts depicting characters from my favorite shows, I have keychains and even my jacket is from Shakugan no Shana. I get looks and comments, but I've gotten looks and comments all my life. It's the price I pay for being me. Though I can see how Law Enforcement or military higher-ups might frown on some things...but that's where one has to make their own decision of which is more important. I can have any job, really. I can only be me. *totally NOT wearing a pink tutu...at the moment...*
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Post by septofclansinclair on Mar 20, 2009 20:09:16 GMT
I'll be honest, it's not much of an issue in Canada... if I were to walk around like that, people would just assume I was involved in a theater production of some kind. I've actually gone in costume and makeup (back in college when i acted for fun) looking like an old man to McDonald's, and I have friends who have gone out and about in full costume from any number of period-piece plays around Winnipeg. My favorite was when the cast of a 3-act play about a Victorian-Era Sanatorium (Read: mental institution) went to the mall in character. What a hoot that was... But there have been Ren Faires in this area before, and in Ontario, and other places in Canada with larger populations... and most of the response I've heard (even from people who would never dream of going to them) is just, "It takes all kinds..." Canadians are, in general, a cheerfully accepting bunch. Although I doubt you'd be allowed to wear that as an RCMP officer... I don't think that the insulting and ignorant are confined to the states, though, or even to "the South"... so don't take this to be a "my country's better than yours" post!
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