We had a small but dilligent group on the 26th. I have made arrangements to work with a pair of visiting Barons from Elfsea (Fort Worth and surrounding communities) on a Saturday in August and I wanted to have some spring-stainless vambrace splints ready to rivet on, so I got an early start. The 20 gauge (.038 inch thick) 410 alloy is a joy to work with, because it forms so nicely and then it hardens so well when you heat treat it. I don't have a swage block with the right curve for forming splints, so I cut one end of a wood 2x4 and hammered the metal into that. My heavy dishing hammer left quite a few tool marks in the metal so I needed to do some planishing to smooth it back out. If these were not intended for hidden armour I would want to use a different technique, like placing a section of pipe over the splint and then hammering on that to keep the curves smooth and even. Here are the splints before curving or drilling the rivet holes:
After curving them I took the splints to Gaston's shop for a little forge action. Heat treating left forge scale on the splints in an odd, almost damascene pattern. But after a little brass-wire-wheel work they polished up to a smooth black look. Getting really aggressive with the wire wheel could get this back to shiny silver metal, but why? For hidden armour or anywhere you want a blackened metal look these will be fine.
Wyllow was focused on preparations for the Steppes Artisan competition. Here she has laid out a mock-up of her table arrangement. How much wool CAN you get on one table, in how many different shades of red?
Josh worked on strapping and assembling his gorget and half-gauntlets.
Wolf got some instruction and borrowed a leather-sewing needle so he can finish his half-gauntlets at home this week. We also cut out helm liners for both Wolf and Ben.
Ben cut and beveled a gorget. Next he will need to burnish and then harden it with glue and baking.
Evie and Gunna avoided the camera but they made delicious medieval French Toast, with a hint of rosewater.
...and that was a night well-spent!
