Cardboard Armor

Experimenting with making armor from cardboard. I doubt it's durable enough for LARP but I could use it as templates for EVA foam or leather armor.

Helmet

First up is a flat top helmet. I figured that flat top is the easiest to do.

Here is the inspiration.

Crusader Flat Helm from Medieval Collectibles

Here is my version.

It's a prototype, using tape to keep it together. It needs to be painted.

I think I made it too short. I should try a version that's a little taller. I may also add faux chain to it.

Greaves

Kind of cheating - using Velcro straps. Still, it came out good.

Next, I should try a version that extends over the knee.

Cuirass, Pauldron, and Bracer

Sorry about the flash.

The Velcro straps work well for the bracers too!

The slits on the cuirass aren't a feature of the armor. I just so happened to have a bunch of cardboard panels with slits. If I did this design for real, the plates would just be solid.

I am really happy with the pauldron. I wanted something to fit onto the point of my shoulder. I took a flat piece of cardboard, cut out a diagonal wedge at top, then bent the cardboard so that the edges of the diagonal meet. It worked!

Next Steps

In all, the prototypes work. On to the final product.

But the big question is what material to use.

• Leather is an obvious choice for LARP. But it is so expensive!
• Cardboard is cheap but I don't think it will be durable. Perhaps I should try Plastidip on it.
• EVA foam is commonly used for cosplay armor. But will it be durable?

As I write this, I think Plastidip cardboard greaves might be a good test.

A Silly Project

I started messing around with a silly project - cardboard armor!

The Evolution of a "Project"

It started with me thinking about how to do a beginner kit in the cheapest fashion possible.

Part 1 - Basis Garb

I figure that one could do basic garb with a t-shirt, sweatpants, and hiking boots.

Here is an AI generated example.

Part 2 - Enhancements

Then I got to thinking about how to enhance the above kit. 

The simplest idea is to add a tabard.

Also, how about some armor? But I want to keep things cheap. Which leads me to ...

Cardboard Armor
I've been researching cardboard armor and found some very intriguing sites.

On YouTube, Mark's Workshop has some good videos, like this brigandine.

Some more ideas. I will add more as I find them.

• Greathelm
• A spangenhelm with faceplate - nice design!
• Another helmet
• Black Raven Academy "Legio" cuirass and pauldrons.
• Fantasy knight armor
• Skill Tree EVA foam bracers

Honestly, I don't know if I can make cardboard armor resilient enough for LARP. Perhaps if I plastidip it? But even if it doesn't work, I can use the patterns for leather armor.

The Simplest Armor?

I'm pondering what the simplest armor would be.

• Greaves and bracers should be pretty simple. Probably not going to bother with bracers; I recommend people get gloves instead.
• Helmet? Probably a flat top design, although I recommend open-face.
• Body? The brig seems like a lot of work. What would be easier?

Happy Easter!

 "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Acts 2:24

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3

Kit Update

I made some progress on my kit. Here is an update.

ARMOR

Leather lamellar is complete.

I put the leather lorica segmentata on hold.

I plan on selling my plastic kit from Red Dragon. This means I'll be without greaves. I'm thinking about making some leather greaves.

WEAPONS

Current inventory.

• Sword - I have plenty so no planned additions right now.
• Shield - I have a couple. I'm working on a 22" round shield for villains.
• Spear - I made one then gave it away. I also made a javelin, which can stand in as a spear.
• Bow and Arrows - Still need to replace a couple of arrows.
• Great Weapon - I made a falx!
• Dagger - I have one.
• Javelin - complete.
• Buckler - I have one partially complete.
• Throwing Weapon - I made a holy symbol throwing weapon

Here is a picture with my newest weapons. From L to R, a falx, holy symbol throwing weapon, and a javelin.

GARB

• Loaner garb - want to get one of these in Legion colors.
• Monster garb - working on a death knight kit

Clearance

I finished my leather lamellar a few months ago. This means that I have some extraneous armor I'd like to sell.

Contact me if you are interested. I can meet you so you can try it on.

CLEARANCE - Plastic Lamellar

I no longer need my plastic lamellar, using plates from Plastic Lamellar.

I designed it to be front opening. I also used a leather backing rather than overlap the plates. Because of this, it is not so rigid as a standard lamellar. But is also weighs less.

It is used. Not much wear but you may need to tighten some knots. Looking for $25 or best offer.

CLEARANCE - Red Dragon Armory Plastic Plate Set
This plastic set includes helmet, pauldrons, bracers (not visible in the picture), and greaves. The set comes from Red Dragon Armory. Measurements in the link.

It is used so there is minor wear. Looking for $200. Available new at Medieval Collectibles for $428.

Merry Christmas

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

Botticelli's Nativity

May the Lord bless you in the new year.

Kit Planning

I am quite happy with my kit right now, which you can see here. But I am planning some additions and upgrades.

Armor

I plan to upgrade from plastic lamellar to leather, in order to save weight.

The leather lam is close to being done. I have all the plates completed. 

I just need to lace them all together, add shoulder straps, and laces to tie it shut.

I may also try my hand at leather pauldrons, similar in design to those on the lorica segmentata.

Who knows? Maybe I'll make a lorica next.

Weapons

To qualify for 6th level in Valiant LARP, I need to complete my weapons collection.

Here is an inventory, with items I have complete in bold.

• Sword and shield - got them, although I am considering some upgrades
• a fancier sword in the form of a Roman spatha
• a smaller, round shield
• Spear and dagger - Just need the spear. While I could make one, I prefer something more professional, at least for the spearhead. Thinking about the Fakesteel pikehead.
• Bow and arrows - need 2 arrows.
• Great weapon and dagger - Have them but I want to upgrade the great to something more Roman era. Thinking about a falx. I should be able to make it similar to the makhaira I did years ago.
• Javelin and buckler - I need to get a javelin and finish the buckler. For the javelin, I found an interesting design based on the Roman pilum. Just need to figure out how to make it.

LARP pila

Garb

Items I need for 6th level.

• Loaner garb - I have tabards I can use, but I'd like to get one in Legion colors.
• I can use my wool robe for feast garb but I'd like a fancy hat.

Other Gear

• A quiver