My new Mercenari's Tailor gauntlets -- myArmoury.com

Jean Thibodeau

These are really cool and wow they looks SOOOOO REPTILIANT: Almost Sci.fi. + medieval ! I would want these just on looks alone and I can't wait to show them to my WMA instructor. The extremely fast turn around time from initial order to delivery is also incredible: I mentioned I might be interested in a custom set of gauntlets about a month ago and asked a few questions about options and modifications to Allan's regular production models. After a week of back and forth discussion I made the order official, and 3 weeks later they are ready for shipping.

Although I'm not surprised as Allan's customer service is incredible, but the industry standard is more like wait and wait some more and not just a 3 week wait Cool

Michael Clark · Posted: Sat 09 Jun, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject:

Those are definately pretty badass. I have no doubt that that's probably some amazing -- if not excessive -- hand protection. Do they wear well? How bout during drills?

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Sat 09 Jun, 2007 8:56 pm Post subject:

Steven H · Posted: Sat 09 Jun, 2007 9:46 pm Post subject:

Neato!

Are they based on a particular historic example?

Thanks.

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Those look really nice, Jean! I'd definately be interested in hearing more of your impressions about how well they function. I've been thinking about getting a pair of finger gauntlets that had a "clamshell" over them, or at least half of one, for a while now.

John Cooksey · Posted: Sat 09 Jun, 2007 10:04 pm Post subject:

So, it's basically a finger gauntlet with an *extra* layer of mitten protection? Would that be for a combination of dexterity and the whole "armor is a weapon" concept? :-)
Those are very, very cool . . . . . .

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Sat 09 Jun, 2007 10:07 pm Post subject:

Allen Andrews · Posted: Sun 10 Jun, 2007 5:16 am Post subject:

I really like those gauntlets. I can't wait to hear how they perform when handling a sword.

M. Eversberg II · Posted: Sun 10 Jun, 2007 5:19 am Post subject:

Very interesting stuff! How much do they weigh?

M.

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Sun 10 Jun, 2007 9:51 pm Post subject:

Gordon Frye · Posted: Sun 10 Jun, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

Jean;

Excellent! As always, it looks as though Allan has come through with the goods in great time. I've been thinking about such mitten/finger gauntlets myself for jousting with, so I may just have to order a pair myself. I like the idea of using nice buckskin gloves for the base, too, so I can have a good "feel" for both reins and lance.

Thanks for posting the photo's, it definitely helps with understanding how they work.

Cheers!

Gordon

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2007 9:46 am Post subject:

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2007 9:53 am Post subject:

Kel Rekuta · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2007 10:20 am Post subject:

Allan Senefelder · Industry Professional

Kel, until the general standard of 16 gauge for fight use ( unless made from stainless or tempered, hate stainless and as a munitions maker tempering isn't in the immediate forcast) thats where most armour is comming in at. I'd love to be doing stuff like this in varying thickness's of material ( cuff in 18 gauge back of hand in 20, fingers in 20. The gauntlets we have in our collcetion all fall about in this range) but as has been said in many a thread here while those gauges are period they're not thick enough for todays use. With fight practice every other Tuesday and a weekend long event once a month where folks potentially beat the snot out of each other all weekend long ( a much higher frequency of use than during the period) the modern customer expects thier gear to last and meet the safety requirements of thier group, that's what we have to build to. The MacPherson mittens( no seperate fingers) used by New Riders of the Golden Age jousting company we maintained for years at the Sterling renfaire weigh the same as Jeans quote for the Wisby's, with a 14 gauge cuff becuase thats what they had to be for the use to which they were to be put. To enter the lists for the armour tournament at the AEMMA conference back in '04 here in Amsterdam ( for which we built two suits for Jeff Tsay and friend) the minimum material thickness was 16 gauge, its the standard we have to work to these days.

I'm taking care of some small tweek fitting for Shane's pair but as far as I know there has been no issue with weight. I will keep you appraised after he does harness demo at the ARMA International event in August.

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2007 11:02 am Post subject:

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2007 11:23 am Post subject:

To follow Allan's post it might be possible to make thinner and much lighter gauntlets for light sparring/trainning where only light fully controled blows are used and their purpose is to protect from very occasional heavy hits that would be more accidents than a regular occurence ?

This would depend a lot on the " culture " of a specific training group that avoids full speed/power sparring and only use these as light safety equipment.

The reinactment stuff needs to be able to take heavy blows weekly for years before having to be replaced, the period for war stull only neededs to protect you once or twice before being repaired or replaced I think and would be as light as possible so as to not slow down or tire too much: Survival of the warrior taking precedence to the survival of the equipment.

Well, as mentioned even thin steel will holdup to serious abuse if heat treated to a spring temper.

All the above taken into consideration I'm still happy with mine, but the option for lighter versions might be possible if their use is limited like I mentioned at the top.

Kel Rekuta · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

Whoa, guys! I regret my opinion upsets you. I'm not taking a swipe at either of you. I respect Allan's hard work and outstanding service to the numerous medievalist communities. I respect Jean's interest in these activities and his perseverance in collecting and training with his equipment. These gauntlets suit Jean's needs and taste beyond his satisfaction. Its all good.

Its just that after almost thirty years of playing in kit, I've got an opinion of how heavy, durable harness, especially arm and hand armour, affects movement. After inspecting thousands of SCA kits, dozens of historic artifacts and trying to help people kit up to play, I've seen enough to qualify as experienced with medieval reproduction harness of various design. Even if Jean is kitting up to play rebated steel, that is a lot of weight to put on the hands. It will take some getting used to. Big Grin

For unarmored play, its excessive, IMHO. YMMV and probably does. I'm okay with that. Happy

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Tue 19 Jun, 2007 1:02 am Post subject:

Allan Senefelder · Industry Professional

Kel, what Jean said. I appologize if thats the impression that came out the post it was not what was intended. Simplely a general " nature of the beast" statement using your post as a jumping off point. I hope no offense was taken.