Would you choose Brigandine or Plate? -- myArmoury.com

Joe Fults

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). Big Grin

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

Bennison N · Posted: Wed 20 May, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject:

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

D. Austin · Industry Professional

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!

Boyd C-F · Posted: Wed 20 May, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

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

MMmmmm, drool....
Big Grin

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 21 May, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

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.

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Thu 21 May, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject:

Karl Knisley · Posted: Thu 21 May, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

Hello

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

Stirling Matheson · Posted: Thu 21 May, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject:

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.

Hugo Voisine · Posted: Thu 21 May, 2009 5:23 pm Post subject:

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

Joel Minturn · Posted: Thu 21 May, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject:

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. Big Grin

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.

Randall Moffett · Posted: Thu 21 May, 2009 10:27 pm Post subject:

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

James Arlen Gillaspie · Industry Professional

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.

Josh Warren · Posted: Sat 23 May, 2009 6:37 am Post subject:

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.

David Teague · Posted: Sat 23 May, 2009 10:57 am Post subject:

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

Joe Fults · Posted: Sat 23 May, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject:

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.

Joe Fults · Posted: Sat 23 May, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject:

Joe Fults · Posted: Sat 23 May, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject:

Joel Minturn · Posted: Sat 23 May, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject:

Joe Fults · Posted: Sat 23 May, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject:

Joe Fults · Posted: Sat 23 May, 2009 1:47 pm Post subject: