I'm about to order a matchlock but finding it quite difficult to find anyone else doing it. Is there any group or association which can offer advice?

For what it's worth, I've had a PAC "off-the-rack" padded jack for about a year now, and it was very straightforward to order, and it's served me very well. Excellent fit, looks great.

Been cramming up on early handgonnes recently, and something which is confusing me is the use of English gunners in the late 15th century. While references are made to the Huntercombe Manor riots in 1375, it later says that Edward IV had Flemish handgonners. Where the English gonners threatened with...

Just wanted to put that I got one of The Padded Armour Company's "standard" range, and it's jolly nice actually. Might not be thick enough for going into a proper mosh, but for one-on-one sword fighting and as a general garment it's excellent and very good value. I put jack chains on mine ...

Thanks for all the input. I've had a proper look around now. I'm probably going with The Padded Armour Company's "budget version". Seems ok, standard sizes but no puffy arms. I know they've had issues with delivery in the past, but it seems to be ok now.

Thanks. Cap-a-Pie looks quite good, good price and UK based.

I was thinking of getting one of Steel Mastery's "Puffed Sleeve Gambesons" and wanted to just check with the brains on here. I do WOTR archery so wanted something as illustrated in the commonly referred to Osprey's "English Longbowman 1330-1515". The puffed shoulder one is mentio...

Or make your own! Tod sells the blades, just whittle a handle and have your own unique dagger. I second SirUlf's suggestion (having seen his nice example that he made). Buying the blade from Tod means you know you have a good quality blade that is going to last, and you end up with a unique dagger ...

Or make your own! Tod sells the blades, just whittle a handle and have your own unique dagger.

I'm looking for something which doesn't seem to be available, so thought I'd ask the learned minds on here before I give up all hope. I'd quite like the combined Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, in one book, with BOTH the modern and Old English texts included, ideally in parallel. Is such a thing available a...

I've recently started putting my arrows in my belt rather than in a belt quiver as it just feels smoother. However, I first tried the way shown in Osprey's English Longbowman, pulling by the point. This just gives you arrow in the wrong end though and you're stood waving an arrow around. Surely they...

I need to find a reliable hose maker, does anyone have any recommendations? Need some sorted rather soonish.

Well, change of plans... Got a blade but it didn't go with the handle, so did an eating knife instead and a pricker to go with it. Hand-carved yew as the previous one. Going to make a scabbard for them, some sort of combo thing. I don't have a proper reference for the shape, but it's sort of based o...

Thanks for all the info. Bernie The Bolt's just got a ringing endorsement from one of the big names so will check them out.

Right, I'm going to try to make my own kit, not only to hopefully save some money, but also to make it fit, and for the challenge. I like making things. The garments I want to make are a pair of joined hose, a pourpoint and finally a padded jack, with maybe a cote as well. I have the Thursfield book...

I'm toying with the idea of making my own hose as well and to that end I've ordered the Sarah Thursfield book. Been through the recommendations in this thread but can't quite see one particular favourite coming out. Should one go cheap, or get the Tudor Tailor stuff? Is it terribly complicated or ca...

The blades from Tod's Stuff have quite a long tang I've been informed, so it's just a matter of drilling a hole through and epoxying it in, cut the tang to length and gently "mushroom" it. Tod has instructions on his page.

Right, well, no risk of getting lost among all the posts, but here's the finished handle. No blade yet, obviously. it turned out a bit shorter so I'm thinking of using it for an eating knife instead. What do people think; is it ok to have two ballock daggers, one small single edged and one large dou...

Went with the family to the You're History multi-period event this weekend. After the rather damp squid of Herstmonceux we were a bit apprehensive, but we needn't have worried as the whole event was nothing short of brilliant. Not a leather corset or pair of sunglasses in sight. The medieval partici...

Here's the first part of my current project which is to make my own dagger. Going to get a blade and bits for the sheath from Tod once I get the go-ahead from the lady of the house. Here's the handle so far. It's piece of yew, which I thought was rather fitting as I'm an archer. It's been hand carve...

Raven Tor is nearby, they do all sorts of periods, including Crusader, and I believe one of them is a proper fencing instructor.

Recurves are too easy. Longbows are for MEN. :) I use a glove. Tried using a tab put I can't get on with one. I know it can give a cleaner release but half the time it's just flapping around trying to get it on the string properly. I felt the two-finger release was a good compromise. Tend to go thre...

Some sort of horn thing might be the way to go eventually. Actually did better today, didn't quite lock my shooting arm in so much, just gave it a slight bend, literally about as little as you could do if you stretched your arm out and then slightly bent it. And voila, the arrows flew better and did...

Also the point of "chivalry" is changing, see how the French at Crecy and even later at Agincourt still put the focus on splendor and individual glory rather than mass destruction. The French don't seem to keen on letting some Genoese mercenaries or some lowly levies carry the battle when ...

Because there's no buckle small enough for my wrist... Seriously, I can't even wear a watch these days as they're all HUGE. My forearms are ok, I just taper down. Genetics is a bitch. Played around with string twists today and it worked a bit better. Gripped it a bit differently as well, think it's ...

Yes, I've seen the full horn bracers, but the problem is my arms are quite thin (see here: http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=30977) so I haven't been able to find one that fits as well as a wraparound leather one. I've sorted a piece of horn I can just slide in under for...

Hi P.R., thanks for the suggestions. My brace height is just short of 6", and I do check it when I string the bow as my string tends to lose a twist or two at times. Arm rotation is something I've had issues with, but it tends to get me higher up the arm when I get lazy with it, recently it's b...

I'm still getting quite a lot of "kisses" from longbow, even through a leather bracer. Just wondering now if there's any scope for a horn reinforced leather bracer? Either on the outside or the inside. I'm thinking of trying to get a narrow piece which I could maybe glue to the inside. Has...

Without opening up the whole can of worms regarding brigs, if it's really tricky I might get one from Steel Mastery. I'm not going to be bashing around in it so as long as it looks somewhat ok. Of course, need to sell off my other stuff first... Anyone need a Clone Trooper helmet?

That looks brilliant. Is it very difficult and expensive to make one?