Hello, I've been looking at the Windlas Steelcraft Great Helm for a little while, what do you guys think? Historically accurate?, Quality, Other thoughts? Thanks

Or this one...

http://www.museumreplicas.com/museumreplicas/detail.aspx?ID=319

Personally, I'd trust a higher tier company to armour. MRL just makes too many mistakes in this department. (There swords are good though, don't get me wrong!)

Oops, pardon me Chad, I must have missed you link :)

I like their Pembridge and Staunton helms. The only issue I have is that they charge quite a bit for a helm made of 18 gauge steel. There custom makers who will do a 14 gauge custom helm for not too much more. I've bought a couple from Steel-Mastery.com in the Ukraine and been impressed

:surprised: Sorry guys, I was looking at the Sugerloaf Helm. Thanks for the reply.

Nathan, I went the Steel Mastery website. Looks like nice stuff! you said you have purchased from them. How did that go? Always a little leary of sending $ off into the universe, hoping to get something in return.

18 gauge steel is comparable to some surviving helmets and isn't out of the range of the norm: some helms will be heavier, some lighter. See here for info: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=9475

So while you can get heavier helmets for similar prices, you have to ask yourself if you need a heavier helmet. :)

The MRL helms are what they are. They're not custom-quality, nor are they sold at custom prices. :) They may lack a bit in some historical proportions, but they are certainly suitable for costume and display, as well as light0duty wear. They may not meet some organizations requirements for thickness, but they are within the range of thickness for historical helms and ought to hold up to some use.

The Staunton/Trumpington great helm (which they now call their Sugarloaf) is a decent piece. I've had mine for years. Though mine doesn't have a liner/suspension system, I understand new ones do. The width at the bottom is a little narrow for my big head, but that may have changed in the 10 years since I bought mine.

It's a pretty nice piece for the price.

I haven't had a problem with steel mastery. I bought some stuff from them on ebay and some direct from their site. Both times were hassel free.

Chad,
I wasn't saying that everything has to be 14 gauge. I just meant that I expect the same helmet in 14gauge to cost more than its 18 gauge counterpart since the 14 is going to take more labor to push around. I definitely think it is overkill to make some of the spangen type viking/vendel helms out of 14 gauge. For a greathelm I would at least do 16 gauge though. As far as Windlass goes I think their helmets are a bit high for stuff coming out of India.