I'm in a glass half full mood today so I'm trying to decide what project I might like try next, when the economy improves, sometime in the next five years (fingers crossed). Over the last nine years I've had a fair assortment of swords and weapons (and one sallet) so I figure its time to fantasize about something different. I also keep looking at that darn "Let's see your kits and harness" thread for almost a year now and its just not so much fun to play there when you're kitless.

After a bit of research I'm coming around to the idea of someday starting to build a kit around one of these:

http://www.whiteroseapparel.com/brig1vel.jpg
http://www.whiteroseapparel.com/brig2.jpg

Or around this:

http://www.bestarmour.com/details/zbroje52.html

Unfortunately, I'm completely up in the air about which way to go now. My wife probably thinks I should do none of this but she is politely saying the plate will be a better decorator item, and lets face it, that's what this would ultimately be (maybe she thinks this is less of a problem than me deciding I want a corvette and a cheerleader for my midlife crisis). :D

For grins...any thoughts (do assume the vette and cheerleader are not viable options)?

Brigandine... for sure. Well, that's my vote anyway...

I'm sure a number of people are wondering why you wouldn't just settle for the Corvette AND the cheerleader, but I wouldn't want to see your wife's reaction to that. Seriously though, I think that the brig may be seen as a more historically realistic choice for your average 15th century soldier, but I'd vote for the plate. I've been in love with the works of Best Armour for a while now and that one would certainly be a better decorator item. It's just cool!

I vote for option A - the brigantine. With Velvet and rose headed rivets.

MMmmmm, drool....
:D

Either is a good choice. Brig gets points for both modern originality and historical ubiquity (they were everywhere then, rarely reproduced now). If I were going to buy plate right now, I'd go to Francois L'Archeveque. He's next door (Canada) and you have a significant currency advantage compared to the Euro, which is still around $1.40. Plus, you'll still get custom sizing.

http://www.flarcheveque.com/Homeb.html

Prices are in Canadian Dollars.

Hello

I`ve never worn plate,or a brigandine,only chainmail.But being basicly lazy,I`d go with a brigandine....no polishing :D

Go for the brig! It fits in in a lot more settings, and should be more versatile as a result. There is also the added bonus that it isn't seen as often. Most people want to be the knight in shining armour.

I certainly wouldn't go for the Corvette. If I'm buying a performance car, I want one that can turn corners faster than 2mph. Now a Porsche Cayman would be an entirely different proposal.

Brigandine. Just look at Ben van Koert kit... that as to be one of the best-looking kits around.

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...;start=330

Wow I am surprised by all the support for the Brigandine. I would say go for the Brigandine as well but that's because it fit with my kit. :D
But the other one looks really good as well. If your making it the brig would be a decent place to start. Unless your going to be cutting the scales yourself. ouch that would get old fast since I doubt you have a laser cutting table.

But best of luck either way and I hope to see pics of the final product.

You could go either way but it depends on a million factors. Three key ones ot me is If I plan on using it and for what. If I am going to use it to represent something, knight, footman etc. and cost. From what I gather a good brig will cost you your first born child in many cases. I cannot think of a single effigy of a knight in a brig, we know they wore them at times but there is not the same relationa as the soldi one piece breastplate. As for use, thats a personal preference.

Good luck.

RPM

I'm going to side with plate. Randall is right; a good plate cuirass is expensive enough, but a GOOD brig... boy, talk about labor intensive, if you could even find someone to make it. Brigs always get ratty looking after a few years, anyway, which lessens their decorator appeal. 'Fluid Film' (TM), on the other hand, and a tube of Autosol, can keep your plate looking good without a lot of effort indefinitely.

I'll support the plate cuirass, too. The world needs more decent-looking plate armour--too many of the reproductions one sees nowadays are of depressingly low quality.

I say narrow the choice down by "who" you plan to be.

15th century knight... plate

Well "armed" 15th century soldier, I'd go with the brig. Just below the level of a non noble man at arms, your choice. Man at arms, plate.

(I've been lusting after a good 15th brigandine for a number of years now.)

Cheers,

DT

Interesting replies so far.

My wife offered a different perspective that I found interesting. She noted that nobody outside the sword and armour hobby is going to know what a brigandine is. However, vitually everyone will know what a plate suite is. In her estimation, that makes the plate suite a better mainstream decoration and discussion piece, which is what a large part of this purchase would be for if it ever got done.

Please keep the thoughts and ideas coming.

Its intriguing to see the differnent views.