[Roger Hooper]

What is on your list for the coming year? Is there something that you will definitely get, something that you're mulling over in your mind?


I have orders for 2 custom 17th century swords that will be completed sometime in 2011.

From Arms and Armor - a classic Amsterdam Walloon

From E. B. ElJay Erickson - a Mortuary sword.

I have high anticipation for both these swords.



I still want to get one of Neil Burridge's Bronze swords, but I can't seem to pull the trigger.

[Nathan Robinson]

Hi Roger-

Great topic. I'm glad you posted it.

I have a British basket-hilt scheduled for completion by EB Erickson.

I have two other hilts from EB Erickson that are at Ollin Sword Design having blades made and mounted to the hilts. These two projects are quite overdue already and I'm not sure when in 2011 they will be completed.

I have a couple daggers scheduled for 2011 from Tod's Stuff and am hoping for one by Arma Bohemia.

I have sold a couple things and will sell a couple more to recycle the money for these and perhaps another project.

I'd like to have a custom piece made by Arms & Armor but I haven't anything concrete in mind and have not scheduled it with them.

[T Franks]

Well, I'm currently in the process of aquiring two items (a celtic spear from Manning Imperial, and a la Tene lll from Ironagearmoury), but since that process has already begun, I will pretend I already have those
Next up, my goal is to further build up a robust La Tene collection before moving onto other things. Some of the items on my "to get list" are as follows

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...ltic+Sword
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...ltic+Sword
http://www.berbekuczviktor.hu/kardok_elemei/nagy/ek21.jpg

I would also like to get a "cut & thrust" and "dedicated cutter" from shane, and that should cover a nice variety of la tene styles. Ok, this may be longer than 2011 we are looking at

After that, if I ever make it there, i'd like to maybe dive into some bronze age stuff or a Rhomphaia.

[Scott Hrouda]

I love your annual question Roger as it allows us to reflect on where we've been and where we'd like to go.

My response last year was:

[Augusto Boer Bront]

Visby guntlets by Armorymarek.
Poleyns by Bestarmour.
Training sword by Jiri Krondak.
Brigandine made by myself (well, with the help of a friend of mine).

That's all because then I wont have more any money left .

[Sam Gordon Campbell]

Hm.
Well, it's slowly dawing on me that though I do-oh-so love the 13thC., almost all the jousting that takes place seems to be 15thC.
With that in mind, this coming year (2011) I'm going to work on:
A. Getting my soft kit up to scratch.
B. Getting a Rene of Anjou style rig up and running for SCA.
C. One always needs more bucklers for HEMA.
D. Trying to learn to ride a horse well.
E. Trying to get up and running a Living History group (I've been in or conducted two school demo's thus far).
And F: Finishing all those little projects from 2010; like practicing more and making a satchel.

[Jeff A. Arbogast]

Hello all,
I hope everyone got something to amuse themselves through the bleak months to come. On this particular topic, I have promised myself ONE St. Petersburg miniature knight figure each year at Christmas, providing I have accomplished enough during the year to feel I have earned it, due to their cost. I love swords, armor, etc. like everyone else, but I find these Russian-made 54mm figures to be breathtaking in their detail (see picture below). This particular year I got two, for Birthday AND Christmas, since I got none for myself last year. This pairing I got from Aeroart International. It shows Robert the Bruce and Henry de Bohun posed as my mind's eye perceives them before the battle of Bannockburn when they had their alleged encounter.
I have all year to find my next addition for my collection, but it's early yet and I'll be admiring the glow of these two for a while.

[T Franks]

[Joe Fults]

What I know of because its already in the pipeline:

-an A&A custom glaive that is in progress
-a custom Arma Bohemia single handed Type XVIII with scabbard and suspension (I think)
-an Arma Bohemia Cluny Longsword with scabbard and suspension (I think)
-a Matuls Arming Coat (which is already overdue with the shipper)
-an Armoury Marek breast and back

Maybe this year:

-a mail standard
-a new helm (type and maker undecided but probably a sallet)
-a rondel dagger and sheath (most likely English Cutler)

Someday:

-another new helm (type and maker undecided but probably a kettle hat variation)
-mail haubergon
-other bits of kit
-an A&A rapier and suspension
-anything that might strike my fancy in the Classifieds if I can get it at the right price

[Tim Lison]

Here's how my 2011 will start:

1. My commision with Patrick Barta is due in January! See my avatar for what he will be making for me.
2. A type X viking sword with Ulberth inlay and inlayed type H furniture made by Michael Pikula will be ready this year.
3. A viking sword with type Q furniture made by Michael Pikula.
4. A viking sword with type AE furniture, or a type Xa with a brazil nut made by Robert Moc.
5. Various scabbards.
6. Perhaps a type X with a brazil nut pommel by A&A.

Of course, I'll likely change my mind 50 times before I get any of it made. Except the Barta. I'm decided on that one. Oh, and the one by Michael Pikula as it's already paid for and I'm just waiting for it. And the scabbards, I'm just waiting for those too. It's the others I'll change my mind on...

[Sander Marechal]

My wishlist for 2011: Riveted mail coif, riveted mail gauntlets (DIY), kettle helm, 13th century single handed blunt sword and a whole lot of DIY clothing. There's a lot more I want and need, but this is probably all I can afford in 2011.

[David Wilson]

1. A Manning Imperial Hoplite Xiphos with 24-inch blade
2. More bronze swords by Neil Burridge
3. And that's about it, for sure.... for now, anyway.... seriously.....

[Zach Luna]

I've been looking for a smallsword for a while with a different kind of flair, and I've settled on this "French Smallsword" from Del Tin Armi Antiche:



After that, an Albion Squire .



Both of these purchases will have to wait until at least June or later though, as my sword funds are being diverted to a study abroad program first.

[Matt Corbin]

My only project for 2011 is a custom made 6th century Anglo-Saxon sword loosely inspired by the one from Sutton Hoo. I'm having it made by Christian Fletcher

[Jean Thibodeau]

A) A Eared Dagger by Tod's Stuff already ordered.
B) Two piece bracers from Mercenary Tailor's ordered.

Some possibilities are the OlliN Falchion but I do have to slow down my buying a bit. ( I keep saying that and I keep buying a little more often than I should ).

Trying to not think of buying stuff " deliberately " but I'm sure something will come up or to my attention that I won't be able to resist.

I'm more into buying stuff " In stock " rather than making customs orders unless I want something very specific that nobody is making. I sort of keep and eye on OlliN, A & A and Tinker for new things in stock. ( Sort of nice to not have to wait. )

Oh, I guess it can count for 2011 even if purchased in 2010 and already in transit is the A&A custom Viking Axe I just bought from the Muster Page. A & A does make a lot of nice polearms and they do often come up with interesting new ones.

[Isaac H.]

However many wonderful sharp things are on my list,(alas!) my priority for 2011 is to get my hands on a decent anvil (thus enabling me to more efficiently produce sharp pointy things for myself ) Not being the richest dude around(not even close ) my finances are pretty much eaten for a while.

Yep,no Del Tin schiavona for me.

Some cheaper items on the list include a new pair of leather gauntlets,Hanwei practical single hand,and Hanwei practical Hutton sabre.

[Artis Aboltins]

I plan to make majority of early 15th century (time of Agincourt) plate armour set, but it will have to wait untill "The Book" by Tobias - I do not want to waste a lot of effort on crafting something and then learning it was not exactly right.
Second project is finishing two of the blades I acquired on Albion moat sale - one is type XIIIa and another is spatha, blade profile is much like that which is used in Auxilia.
Third project, which might end up beeing finished first, is a 17th century bodice stiletto.
Fourth is several swept hilt rapiers which will likely utilise Hanwei made blades - I do not really feel confident enough in my skills to try to heat treat something the length of a rapier blade.

And of course a bunch of other items are in the works - several comissions, and things that will likely end up beeing made just to be sold on events and so on.

[Kel Rekuta]

Milanese legs from James Arlen Gillespie
Early 15thC armet from Peter Fuller

Hopefully I'll be wearing both in our tournament in the spring.

And if I can get his attention to get on his queue - a longsword from Peter Johnsson. He's a busy guy so this one is on the wish list.

[Daniel Staberg]

This year my focus is moving from the 15th Century into the 16th Century.
I'll start working on my landsknecht portrayal focusing on the soft kit and armour. So:
Maximilian style munitions breastplate & backplate
"Splints" for the arms
Steel skull cap which can be worn under the hat.

Time and money allowing I will work to convert my existing 16th Century gear to portray one of the French veteran of the Italian Wars which the Danes hired for the invasion of Sweden in 1519-1520. The main item I'm lacking is a Casquetel as the sallets I have are no longer appropriate at such a late date.

[Addison C. de Lisle]

This is a fun topic!

On my list is an Albion Principe, which I just finished paying for. Now all I need to do is wait for it to enter production (hopefully NOT as long as the Dane, haha).

I am also considering getting a dagger this year, though I will probably need to sell something to finance it. We'll see.