Just another hobby of mine...

[druid]

I figured that since I play in a Kilt, I'd make some accent pieces to enhance my "look" in the field...lol.

Before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/7eb1ba2d.jpg
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and some 20+ hours later.........................
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After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/82e4dffc.jpg

Stitching:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/f6397992.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/50e40c5a.jpg

Triquetras:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/58d6381f.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/37c08a01.jpg

On my arm:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/d03990c8.jpg


Before anyone says it, I don't care about any "bounce" factor on gear/equipment. I play that if I'm hit, I'm out and I don't dabble in semantics about it.

Now that that's been said~~~

For anyone not knowing what they are, they are called Vambraces (forearm guards). The Romans invented them (or so they claim) but they (or similar representations) were used by just about every primitive-to-ancient-to-current- fighting force(s) on the planet.

The Celts used an all-leather version (as I have made), hardened into armor by one of 2 ways: boiling them in water or soaking them in melted wax. Historians have held the widely accepted opinion that boiling water was the most likely form of hardening the leather. I have not done this because it makes the leather chaff the skin. Originals were often lined in lamb's wool or wool cloth and it was acceptable because of the climate normal to the region. Obviously, I don't need that here in PA.

A bit of history is that for some years now, I've dabbled in creating leather hunting accessories...knife sheaths, handgun holsters and possible bags for muzzle loading.

I just spent 20+ hours on them, everything done by hand. The longest (and most difficult) part was the sewing. Getting them in the proper arc of my forearm was a pain, even though I made patterns in cardboard.

The black outer layer is 10 oz leather and the brown accent pieces are 16 oz leather. There are 2 inner layers on each Bracer for padding/anti-chaffing and each of these layers are 6-8 oz upholstery-grade leather.

I was going to harden them into true "armor" by submerging them in boiling water but I decided they are too nice to risk the dyes bleeding into each other. Instead, I'll rub some conditioner into them and then a final layer of wax to protect them.

[txaggie08]

Two questions:


1. Where are you getting leather from right now? I'm looking for a supplier to do cure boile with(hope I spelled that right)

2. Would you be willing to build custom bags/what kind of prices? I need a leather shot and powder nag for my muzzle gun :D


REALLY nice btw, I have a nice set I bought at texas renfest a few years ago that where done in wax.

[SummaryJudgement]

...................... :confused: :rofl:


...................a kilt? Really??............................. :rofl:


Seriously though, nice looking leather work druid :cool:

We do have to some pics of this kilt action though ;)

:cheers:

[questionful]

Those are AWESOME. Now you just need some matching wood grips for a mag. Wood background, black celtic emblem thing. Now that would really kick ***.

[KevinA]

Excellent work sir, I knew immediately what they were, :tard: brought me back to my days a leather worker myself... in Warcraft of course... :rolleyes:

Nice Job! :cheers:

[druid]

Two questions:


1. Where are you getting leather from right now? I'm looking for a supplier to do cure boile with(hope I spelled that right)

2. Would you be willing to build custom bags/what kind of prices? I need a leather shot and powder nag for my muzzle gun :D


REALLY nice btw, I have a nice set I bought at texas renfest a few years ago that where done in wax.

1. I get it locally at the area re-enactor events. Sometimes it's finished on one side, sometimes not. I also get a few catalogs now and then...I'll try and find you a website.

2. Give me an idea of what size and I'll look to see how much material I have left. I'm down to smaller pieces and need to replenish my stock...lol. Shot bags don't take that much material but as far as a "possibles" bag...I'll have to look a bit harder into my stuff.




...a kilt? Really??............................. :rofl:


Seriously though, nice looking leather work druid :cool:

We do have to some pics of this kilt action though ;)

:cheers:

Yep...lol.
Thanks.
There are pics on this site [as you mentioned] as well as others...


Those are AWESOME. Now you just need some matching wood grips for a mag. Wood background, black celtic emblem thing. Now that would really kick ***.

Thanks.

It's funny you mention wood grips....I was looking around EBay for some but their prices are ridic..

I thought about making them for my Intelliframe and I'm thinking Walnut or Rosewood...


Excellent work sir, I knew immediately what they were, :tard: brought me back to my days a leather worker myself... in Warcraft of course... :rolleyes:

Nice Job! :cheers:

Thank you sir. That means a lot since I only do this as an "anger management" tool...lmfao!

[punkncat]

Nice work. Those should accent your getup pretty well.

Not that I personally wear one, but a few scenario buddies wear kilts at games. Not only are they very comfortable and free to move in, but also very cool in the hot weather. Take some good bounces around that area as well which is good for the boys.

[Old School 626]

OK, all SCA-ers raise your hand!

/raise

The Leather Factory in Baldwin Park, CA is a source for leather. Or alternately you can look at the SCA merchant's lists and probably find 30 other sources that are on line only but might be closer to you.

Let me first start out by saying that I'm at work and can't see your pics, only text. And, that I'll side step the historical argument about boiling water/bees wax/leather and cut and impact resistance.

For modern day intents and purposes you might want to not boil the leather and instead soak it thoroughly, form it while wet and then once fully dried coat the piece with bees wax. If you use an oil based dye you'll be fine all the way but you can use water based dies after the piece is formed and fully dried too. One nice thing about bees wax is that if you saturate the piece well enough you can leave it in the trunk of your car on a hot day and reform the piece to fit just right.

The pieces that I've CB'd so far are quisses and plates and disc on my renal belt.

[luke]

Awesome leather work. :cool:

[JesseB]

I figured that since I play in a Kilt, I'd make some accent pieces to enhance my "look" in the field...lol.



lol LARP more...

[georgeyew]

Wow, I am impressed at your skills :clap:

[usagi_tetsu]

OK, all SCA-ers raise your hand!

/raise - Calontiri, here



Another option is Tandy Leather (http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/), longtime supplier to most of the country (and parent company of Radio Shack... odd world, innit?). Not always the cheapest prices, especially if you're having large chunks of leather shipped, but a wider selection than a lot of the mom'n'pop operations out ther.

[Temo Vryce]

...................... :confused: :rofl:


...................a kilt? Really??............................. :rofl:



Not quite an action pic and it's not a traditional kilt, but you'll get the idea. I hope to get some action shots this summer.

***Edit***
Forgot to add the picture.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u214/Temovryce/n615377128_190357_1706.jpg

[acropilot19]

Man, thats Awesome!

Clan MacAlpine here. I'm diggin this thread! But whats an "SCA-er"?
:confused:

[drg]

http://www.sca.org/

[MANN]

wow. you are really good with a sewing machine.

I wouldnt wear it, but it does look cool

[211]

Very nice vambraces
one of my teammates wears a pair of plain black leather, because he prefers the extra protection

[Old School 626]

/raise - Calontiri, here



Another option is Tandy Leather (http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/), longtime supplier to most of the country (and parent company of Radio Shack... odd world, innit?). Not always the cheapest prices, especially if you're having large chunks of leather shipped, but a wider selection than a lot of the mom'n'pop operations out ther.


Caidan here... who would have guessed, right? And, The Leather Factory bought out Tandy and if you notice the link.... Tandy Leather Factory!

And for those that wonder what the SCA is, it's the Society for Creative Anachronism and you can see more at WWW.SCA.ORG Or the readers digest it's like A) going to the ren fair and taking part or B) an armoured frat party with fights and lots of booze!

[Jaan]

Very nice...I've made a wrist holder for 12 grams before myself, as well as a couple of other stock class pieces. It's not as easy as it looks.

[Swampy]

That looks cool. Hey I think I got whitetail hides around, I was thinking getting a coat made up but I'm not that great of a hunter. If I can dig them up I could trade for something.

[druid]

/raise - Calontiri, here

Another option is Tandy Leather (http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/), longtime supplier to most of the country (and parent company of Radio Shack... odd world, innit?). Not always the cheapest prices, especially if you're having large chunks of leather shipped, but a wider selection than a lot of the mom'n'pop operations out ther.
^^ That's the place I get my catalog from. Excellent selection of products.


wow. you are really good with a sewing machine.

I wouldnt wear it, but it does look cool
Yeah, they aren't for everyone but it fits my "druid" field persona well...lol.
Not a sewing machine...a sewing awl. In the first pic there's a wooden tool...that's what's used to sew it with. A machine needed to sew this thick a material costs not less than $500 and for the small projects I do, it's not worth it to buy one. The sewing awl does the job I need but is time consuming to make extensive stitching.


That looks cool. Hey I think I got whitetail hides around, I was thinking getting a coat made up but I'm not that great of a hunter. If I can dig them up I could trade for something.
Whitetail hides are difficult to make into clothing and such...simply because they are so soft. A buddy of mine wanted hunting pants made from them and it required 3.5 hides to create it. The hide needs a backing matierial where you stitch because the sinew cuts right through the hide.
I really only work with steer hides (as seen in the Tandy link) because it's a stronger hide. Pig bellies are ok to work with too. The upholstery-grade I used as the liner to the Braces is a lot like the deer hide but being that it's industrial grade, it holds a stitch better.

[Jaan]

A machine needed to sew this thick a material costs not less than $500 Don't forget used machines. My friend has one that I'm dying to buy from him, but he got it cheep from an old shoemakers shop. It's a Singer treadle machine specifically designed for sewing shoes. It can sew anything. Machines like that are always out there if you look. I have an old 50's Necchi sewing machine that I got cheep from the Salvation Army years ago that can sew a decent thickness of leather and canvas.

[Semperfi198]

very nicely done and an honor to your heritadge :)

[druid]

Don't forget used machines. My friend has one that I'm dying to buy from him, but he got it cheep from an old shoemakers shop. It's a Singer treadle machine specifically designed for sewing shoes. It can sew anything. Machines like that are always out there if you look. I have an old 50's Necchi sewing machine that I got cheep from the Salvation Army years ago that can sew a decent thickness of leather and canvas.

Although a used machine sounds nice, I don't do this all that often that I need one. Besides, my projects are normally small ones..lol. Thanks for the advice though.


very nicely done and an honor to your heritadge :)

thank you sir

[usagi_tetsu]

Oddly enough, Tippmann makes really good industrial sewing machines. No, seriously, that's where their manufacturing background comes from, the actual family business, as it were. Sadly, even the used ones run in the high hundreds, low thousands range.



Oh, and for those of you asking what an SCA'er is? Here (http://www.youtube.com/user/usagitetsu) is my YouTube full of fun videos. Enjoy!

[druid]

Oddly enough, Tippmann makes really good industrial sewing machines. No, seriously, that's where their manufacturing background comes from, the actual family business, as it were. Sadly, even the used ones run in the high hundreds, low thousands range.



Oh, and for those of you asking what an SCA'er is? Here (http://www.youtube.com/user/usagitetsu) is my YouTube full of fun videos. Enjoy!

Yeah...I was E-Shopping some time ago to see what machines are going for these days...pfffffffft.....I'll continue to use the awl...lol.

[halB]

...................... :confused: :rofl:


...................a kilt? Really??............................. :rofl:


Seriously though, nice looking leather work druid :cool:

We do have to some pics of this kilt action though ;)

:cheers:

A kilt's the perfect protection for the balls! Can't get hit if you got a billowing cloth right in front of them. I might start playing in a kilt just for that reason.

[SummaryJudgement]

Not quite an action pic and it's not a traditional kilt, but you'll get the idea. I hope to get some action shots this summer.

***Edit***
Forgot to add the picture.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u214/Temovryce/n615377128_190357_1706.jpg


Soooooooo

IF I wanted to get a kilt to play in, where would I need to look? Hypothetically speaking of course!

"IT'S NOT A DRESS!!!"

[druid]

Soooooooo

IF I wanted to get a kilt to play in, where would I need to look? Hypothetically speaking of course!

"IT'S NOT A DRESS!!!"

All one has to do is ask...hypothetically speaking of course...

Where I got mine:
http://www.amerikilt.com/

Others that you will see on the field:
http://www.sportkilt.com/
http://www.utilikilts.com/

and for a traditional Kilt:
http://www.usakilts.com/5_yard_wool.php

[druid]

Well, here's a small preview of the Greaves. They aren't quite finished yet, I have to line them with soft leather and then decide on the method of attachment to my shin/calf...straps with buckles or heavy duty elastic like you would find on Dye-styled knee pads. Finally, ModPodge them to protect the leather.

Knee-end:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/a1e9aa3a.jpg

Ankle-end:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/ac509d33.jpg

Triquetras to match the Braces:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/f4b12e42.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/b860a46e.jpg

Overall:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/9f0f8e05.jpg

[druid]

A little update...I was at work last night and we were clearing out/replacing old SRT gear. Included in that clear-out were old body armor carriers (the garment that holds the ballistic panels). Part of the vests that connect it at a user's sides is a heavy, padded and breathable mesh, like that used in heavy duty sports equipment. I removed that side-mesh from the garment and sewed it to the insides of the Greaves. This will help the skin on my shins breather/sweat and should make it way more comfy to wear. Hopefully I have enough to put on the Vambraces...lol.

I'll get pics up later tonight

[211]

straps and buckles, nice brass buckles to go with the brown

[druid]

straps and buckles, nice brass buckles to go with the brown

Agreed but I have to wait and get the brass buckles. In the mean-time though, I've added 2" wide elastic to the top and bottom of each Greave and ran out before I could add the center strap...lol. The straps/buckles will go right where the elastic straps are, and on top of them because that will keep the buckles off my skin.

Here are the pics in their current state:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/Greaves.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/Greaves3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/Greaves2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/Greaves1.jpg