[Morten Helgeland]

Hello good people of this forum,

Because of recent events in, and near, my fighting scene, I've been thinking about eye protection for viking fighting. Main reason though: I got a sword in my eye during practice. Yes yes, I've read hundreds of posts about "but the head is not a target zone" and such, but this has very much become reality, and now, I really want to see if I can find a good solution to protect myself. But also, how to look as authentic as possible?

My first though was to buy a fencing mask or a helmet with either mesh or iron bars welded around the face. That looks nothing like history... or at least not viking. I own a gjermundbu helmet, with chainmail aventail, but there is still the opening to the eye socket. Would I be able to fill in this area with mesh or perforated steel plate? Any suggestion would be great!

[Michael Long]

Defect to the Saxons, of course.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutton_Hoo_helmet

I bet you could get some plexiglass in there, too.

[Mark Moore]

Well, first off,---Hope you are okay! A sword to they eye... ... .

You've GOT to be able to see, so an eye slit of *some kind* is a must-have. Plexi-glass or some other similar option would perhaps be the way to go. Maybe modify a motorcycle helmet visor. Even a pair of safety-glasses.

It may not be 'historically correct', but what is your eyesight worth to you? ---------McM

[Morten Helgeland]

Safety-glasses... that sounds like a good plan actually. Looking at some impact tests on youtube, I can see some of them do pretty great against projectiles. Regarding authenticity, it can probably work, since the spectators usually are quite far away. Also, the helmet on top woult probably hide the modern protection. I have some cheap ones for fireworks at home, so I will definitely test them inside my helmet!

Regarding my eye, yeah... it was pretty scary! Luckily, the sword hit underneath the eyeball, and away from the pupils. So I got a superficial scar on the lower eye lid, and a small scratch on the white of the eye. Had to wear an eyepatch on the viking festival I was at... sooo... Vikings are kind of pirates, right? Other than a blood-red eyeball, and a black eye, nothing happened to my eyesight! Phew!

[Mark Moore]

I would suggest a pair of safety-glasses that are the wrap-around type of frame, kinda like sports glasses. These would be low profile against your face, and make it easier for them to be worn under your helm. I know this because I wear prescription eyeglasses, and I require a snug-fitting frame to be able to wear them under some of my helmets. My visored sallet helm is the only one that my frames touch on the sides, but it's pretty narrow from side to side, so.... ------------McM