[MR] Econimics... was "cheap armor"

[Thomas E. Jackson Jr]

Well stated Duke Logan!

Upon reading your response and that of numerous others off-list it is
apparent to me that one region's resoning that $150.00 to $300.00 is very
resonable, to another region is unatainable. My region (Hidden Mountain) is
for the most part economically depressed. One county in our Barony has an
unemployment rate of over 16% (Williamsburg Co.)! I moved here last year
from Denver and while the cost of living here is a two thirds less, the pay
is too. I am lucky to have purchased my SCA accutremants while having a
relatively well-paying job. I now am a full time college student, and my
wife with a B.S. in Marketing and Tourism with a minor in Management could
only find work as a receptionist at the local hospital. A drop in combined
income of over $40,000.00  but my GI bill helps.

I hate plastic and always will. I love leather and really high polished
stainless. That is what I use for armour.  I do not fight to the level that
I look, but get an edge from those who are intimidated by it. I have also
gotten beaten soundly by fighters who took off the field a sense of
empowerment for having done so. It was a great to see them empowered by the
realization that they are better than what they originally thought before
the bought. Warm fuzzies if you will.

As a the new Seneschal of Misty Marsh, I wanted to start a fighter practice.
Counting me, there were exactly two fighters in the group. There is one
other who has armour but is not authorized (but is a member and fights
Rapier).  Two other members want to fight but don't have armour. One other
newbie non-member, wants to start as well. We immediately started hitting
the scrap yards and pounding out some armour. Got the canton to purchase a
helm and had "Loaner" welded across the back of it. We now field 3-5
fighters at our fighter practices. I miss one a month due to being in the
Reserves, but oh well.  Oh and if anyone has an old set of mitten gauntlets
they do not want... maybe we could work out a deal to get them??? We are
still working to get a second set of loaner armour....

We are all agreed that plastic is contrary to what the SCA is all about and
as such has no place during a list or melee. I think that some slack should
be granted for those new to the fighting and the SCA. I would shudder at the
fact that someone would be wailing on a newbie like a Crown List bought
instead of a fighter practice or pick ups after an event. Yes there are
arguments for those with medical needs such as braces, but that can be
covered up. In all fairness though I swear by Siloflex swords and the new
injection molded basket hilts that Master Geofrey of GAA Armouries sells. I
guess that is another can-o-worms.

I would be honored to share a beer with you and bang out some armour.
Especially since I am "just down the road" in Florence, SC.
In Humble Servitude,
Ld Angus MacDoughall Mhic Comyn, OSB
Misty Marsh
P.S. For those who wanted to know what the OSB is, It's the Order of the
Stags Blood, an AoA level fighting award from the Outlands.