I'm making Samurai Armor

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:59 am

I figured this was cool enough to be appreciated here.

I'm a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, (SCA) which involves various types of weapon-based martial arts that can be dated back to before 1600. I study Japanese history, fighting styles, and armoring techniques, because I think they're really cool. To buy a set of armor costs about $25,000 plus crazy shipping to the states. So, I'm making my own.

Anyway, I've been working for a while now, more than 100 hours.
And this is what I've got.:

There is more than 100' of lacing in the skirt alone.
Probably running around 250' total so far.

Disregard the ugly blue padding in the helmet, I just bought silk to line it with.

Total cost so far: ~$300

cennar · Post by **cennar** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:14 am

hey that coming down the street I think I'd have to shake your hand.

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:15 am

I'm so proud of it that I ALMOST COULD wear it down the street.

But not quite.

Aguiluz · Post by **Aguiluz** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:31 am

Wow, that's very nice!

ghosstt · Post by **ghosstt** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:37 am

Pretty sweet. Never seen someone do that before. What are you using for the breastplate?

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:01 pm

ghosstt wrote:Pretty sweet. Never seen someone do that before. What are you using for the breastplate?

The whole thing is made of black car wash barrels.
http://riceswcd.org/UsableImages/Images/RainBarrel.jpg

It's basically 1/4" plastic that holds up to what we use it for.
I could do leather or metal, which is what samurai armor is supposed to be made of, but I don't have the skills to work with that yet. Also, this is free.

Anyway, I lacquer every piece with a polyurthathane-stain mixture that makes it iridescent blue, like kendo armor.

My next set will be made of leather.

SonyPortableizer · Post by **SonyPortableizer** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:18 pm

Now, just to get a samari sword signed by randy jackson and it will be complete.
Awesome dude.

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:37 pm

What does Randy Jackson have to do with it?

I don't have a full size katana because I can't think of a good reason so spend that much money on one.
But, I have a very nice damascus tanto that is very useful. Maybe 12"?

weaponepsilon · Post by **weaponepsilon** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:26 pm

Oy, I used to collect katanas. I still have a few in the closet that I don't want, could let 'em go for cheap....

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:28 pm

You sell EVERYTHING.

I'm not in the market, sorry.

weaponepsilon · Post by **weaponepsilon** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:31 pm

I happen to have the merchandise.

C'mon, I have an Iai practice blade (dull, light) blade. Perfect for the trainer. $40.....

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:55 pm

I have lots of practice weapons, just not metal ones.
And light isn't a bonus.

If I'm training, I want actual weight.

khaag · Post by **khaag** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:12 pm

jjhammerstein wrote:What does Randy Jackson have to do with it?

Step Brothers reference.

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:20 pm

I meant to see that.
Never got around to it.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:14 pm

Nice work.

I was into the Samurai when I was about 13. Found them fascinating.