Training equipment question

[Steve Ames]

Which triplette mask are you all using? I've been pondering a 183 but I really like the idea of removable/washable bib liner (like the 1999).. the extra dollars may be well spent from a funk perspective. Higher/newer models seem to have higher newton ratings which is a good thing but probably not necessary for my newbie practice level.

[Stacy Clifford]

Mine is the 1999. You can order the SCA version in different colors. I ordered mine in red with black wire and lining. The removable bib is good for washing, but when you're wearing it the thing has a tendency to bunch up under your chin. Minor annoyance at worst. By the way, if you get one, be sure and read the documentation that comes with the box for some good laughs. I think they have too much time on their hands there.

[Jaron Bernstein]

Our long abused triplette 3 weapon mask has held up pretty well against wasters and padded weapons. It is a bit battered, but still protects just fine.

[Dan Clayburn]

Appreciate the feed back, Think I'll go with the Triplette 1999. I like the idea of Red and Black...

[Brad Patrick]

I have a model 2001 from them, it's essentially a stronger version of the 1999 model. It's more expensive, but I prefer the thicker and stiffer bib to give a little more protection for my throat.

[Steve Ames]

How did you all determine sizing? I looked at both the triplette site directly and the SCA branch (zenwarriorarmory.com). Both mention measuring the oval of your face but neither tells how to relate that measurement to the sizes they list. My measurement came out to a tad under 27"... anyone know what size mask that would be?

[William Savage]

Please tell me more about these jacks your makeing/ The have some not-that-cool gambeson patterns on armorarchives.org but I would love to see a pattern for a jack with jack chains (the ones down the sleeves?) if anyone could direct me it would be great.

[Brian Hunt]

Hi William,

yes jack chains are the type that go down the outside of the arm and attach to your gambeson/padded jack with tie point attachments. I do not know of a pattern for jack chains anywhere on the internet, but a basic pattern is fairly simple. an elbow cop with at least two and as many as four flat bars that attach to the top and the bottom of the cop with some 1" to 1 1/2" welded rings to allow for movement and for tie points. As for a really good pattern for a gambeson your might try this commercial pattern http://www.mediaevalmisc.com/pp101.htm (many have had good results with it), or really torture yourself and try this one http://www.forest.gen.nz/Medieval/articles/garments/Charles_blois/Charles_blois.html. I am doing a variation on the latter one. I am making my own pattern. I have sewn a lot of items of clothing in my life and for most things I just make the pattern and then sew it.

good luck

Brian Hunt
GFS

[William Savage]

Thanks, but i had thought that a jack and a gambeson had different purposes, gambesons for comfort under armor and jacks as armor themselves. If this is incorrect please correct me, or if anyone knows of instructions for a jack, that would be great.

thanks, Will

[Brian Hunt]

Hi,

My current understanding is that a Jack is a cloth form of armour and a gambeson was generally used under or over mail. A Jupon or a arming coat was generally used under plate. All of these frequently had ties attached to them to attach various pieces of armour. A padded arming jack generally has more layers than other pieces of armour and we have documentation that it may have been made from 30 layers of linen with an outer shell of deer hide. You can also make one with several layers of felted wool, or several layers of heavy cotton batting with a linen lining and outer shell. The Charles de Bloise pattern is a really good pattern because it shows us how deep the arms can go into the body of the garment in order to facility ease of movement at the shoulders and it has an extra gusset for ease of movement at the elbow. A variation on this pattern should be good for all of the arming garments I previously mentioned, just vary the cut of the pattern and the thickness of the layers for whatever type of garment you are trying to reproduce.

You may also want to search some of the living history forums and the armour archive forum for the various discussions on the varioius arming garments

hope this helps and clears up my previous post.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[William Savage]

Thanks a lot, i love learning trivial facts, especially about armor.

[Jeffrey Hull]

I always though of a gambeson / wambeson as under maille, but not over it; and also under plate. But other guys may have access to resources which I do not, so perhaps the gam / wam was sometimes worn over maille for some reason. I know that often just a bare gam / wam was worn by guys who could not afford further armouring, perhaps like slingers and archers.

[Brian Hunt]

Hi Jeffrey,

whether over or under is one of those things that I have seen debated in armour forums. If I remember correctly, the Majousky Bible is one such source that appears to give us evidence of a padded garment being worn over mail.

hope this is usefull,

Brian Hunt
GFS

[David Kite]

Steve, fortunately when I bought my mask, I had the opportunity to try a couple different sizes owned by other people I know. What Tripplete considers a man's mask (size 4, I think) was a little too big for me, but the size 3 fits perfectly. I'm slightly smaller than most people. Before you buy one, I'll be sure and bring mine to practice so you can try it and see if it fits you or not.

David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

[Kevin-Irizarry]

Hey...

Excuse me for my ignornace, but I really don't have the time, nor the attention span to go through all of the posts, so this may be a repeat.

What I have come to love (although some of my sparring buddies no NOTHING about), is a paintball chest protector. It's made to take hits from little balls flying at over 100 mph, at a force of about 65psi. So it does a pretty good job at taking the blows. The price ranges between 20 and 45 bucks. Depending on the model. Redz makes really good stuff, so does Angel, but if you go with Angel, you are definatly paying for alot of style.

I agree with not needing much forearm protection. But hands and wrists are almost vital. I've seen gloves made of heavy duty leather, nylon, and spandex in Lowes for about 15 bucks.

As for face protection, we've used modern paintball masks (I played professionally, so sue me). But they're also meant to take a beating. A real heavy duty plastic. Just be sure not to get the ones that say "Flex" or anything like that. It's silicon and it won't protect you that well. But the masks run anywhere from 30 to 90 bucks, depending on style, etc. But a cheap one from WalMart will do the same job as a 90 dollar one from NPB.

I could go on for hours about paintball gear to help protect you =P.