When it comes to fair garb, sometimes there are pieces that I either don’t want to make myself, or which are much cheaper to outsource from a manufacturer who moves more volume in a particular item. A good example of such a category would be armor and weaponry–both steel and leather.
So in this case, I decided to take a chance on the online renaissance and medieval retailer, Medieval Collectibles. It was far more cost effective for me to attempt to order the pieces I wanted in steel, rather than invest in all of the tools that I do not have for metallurgy. As for the leather breast-plates and belts, I do have the tools needed to construct those things, but they are so very time consuming that I’d rather purchase a reasonably priced body-armour-base, and make the more manageable accessories like pauldrons and tassets myself.
The full order, featured above, included two leather body armor sets (front, back, belts), a gorget, padded collar, two ring belts, 3 axe frogs, 1 giant battle axe, 1 universal sword frog, and 3 throwing axes which are actually not pictured above because they were back-ordered and shipped separately.
Unfortunately, when ordering online, we all run the risk of the things we purchase not fitting well. Inevitably, things needed to be returned. The padded collar seen above was of a nice quality, but it was much too big for myself, and the neck uncomfortably high for Jake to wear, so it’s going back along with the not-so-universal sword frog which doesn’t even fit on the child’s belt which I ordered.
For my own small frame I went with a children’s body armor, photo above, and I’m very pleased that I did. I was affordable, and appropriately petite. The shoulder grommets are also conveniently placed for the easy attachment of a set of spaulders and pauldrons which I’ve already made–they just need painting.
The gorget is another example of an item that I took a chance on, but it didn’t fit. I’m not about to make myself my own steel plate armor, and I thought one steel neck piece amidst my otherwise leather armor would be a nice accent. But the gorget was surprisingly too small, and not adjustable. Another piece for the return pile.
Jake’s leather viking body armour was very handsome out of the package, but it will also need exchanging because it was too long and didn’t allow for proper bending and crouching. We will return for a size down, which is listed as being shorter. I hope it works out! Medieval Collectibles doesn’t offer free shipping or free returns, so every item sent back and forth is money wasted. I will keep you updated as these new pieces are incorporated into full ensembles.
