Where to start
all your base are belong to us.
Armor is a funny thing, it is at its heart a shield. Its for keeping the pointy end of a sword from becoming a part of you.
-Akugin Takezu-
Here a a few questions to ask yourself,
What will this armor be used for?
As Akugin-san once said "Armor is a funny thing, it is at its heart a shield. Its for keeping the pointy end of a sword from becoming a part of you." So why do people try to make it look nice? I think its due to a few facts. One, Only the rich could afford nice looking armor. Have you ever see a squire ride into battle with a nice set of shinny armor on. NO he wore whatever the knight didn't want. So what… it has a hole in it where the last squire met a spear, its better then nothing. Even a knight has a spending limit on armor, so it makes sense that the king would have the best armor……. Only he could afford it.
So think about it is this armor you are going to ware on the field of battle or sit in your living room?
On the field of battle!
So you think you’re the next Musashi. Think again. Better get some armor. What you need is armor that is easy to repair and will hold up to getting hit over and over and over. Think of the k.i.s.s. pricable (Keep It Simple Stupid). The simpler the armor is the easier it is to repair. And trust me on this nothing is worse then armor that looks great feels great and falls apart when you are being run down by a 250 lb man called Kayden. Oh did I mention that it should keep you from getting hurt too?
In my living room!
You sit back close your eyes and see your study with swords on the wall and at the center of the room a masterpiece of armor. Sigh….. Now wake up and remember that when (or if for most geeks like us) you get married, the first thing that goes is the freedom then the armor. Its ok….. just look sad and nod. Now that we have that strait you can make great armor for only a small investment. The best part is you don't have to steal it!
Other questions that I have been asked are?
1. how long does it take to make armor? Well it can be done in a few minutes or a few hours or a few days or a months or a year or more. What I am saying is the time will depend on the style, your skill and the amount of detail you want to put into the armor.
2. I don't have any tools can I still make armor? Tools come in handy, But they are not the end all and be all of armor making. I started making armor with leather and a knife. That's it... Well there was a lot of blood too, but anyway. You have to think like Macgyver, be flexible. I started making holes for lacing with nail and hammer, at the time it was better then spending money for a hole punch or a drill. There is a ton more stuff on tools in the tools section.
3. I don't know how to work with metal, can I make armor? Armor historically was not made out of metal, its to heavy. Most armor was leather. Anyone can do leather. I have yet to see a style of armor that is made of metal that can be done in leather.
4. Can you make me a suit of armor? Yes I can. Will I no.
5. Your a loser how can I tell you that your web-site stinks? email me at ichiban@wakagashira.com . Remember the site will get better if you tell me what is wrong and what you think it should be like. i.e. the web site sucks! (WRONG) try: the web-site takes forever to load the graphics. PS the site sucks (that's good!)
Questions? Comments? Insults? contact the web master at: Ichiban@wakagashira.com
There is one other reason to make armor and that is to improve your swordsmanship.
You see Sir Brennen MacGregor Lord realm and leader of its peoples, one bad Mother Fuc*er. He has the coolest armor on the planet. You, well you have a loin cloth, but its a nice one! You want to be like Brennen. You see him fighting on the battle field all his enemies scream and flee in horror when they see him. Its not the years of skill and practice its the cool armor and you think, well if I had armor like that I would be a good fighter too! So you make a really cool looking armor, your enemies come charging in stop look at you armor, say that's cool armor just as you start to say 'thanks' you get a spear in the ribs and you die. But look at the bright side your corpse looks nice!