[MR] The Cost to armor a New fighter?

[Sandra Rangel]

IMO heavy fighting is probably the most expensive hobby in the SCA; if
not then at least in the top "3". Which, by period standards, isn't a
surprise seeing that Knights in their time needed quite a bit to
outfit themselves. But seeing that this is the SCA and of course it is
different how we go about it and our picture is a bit smaller (and we
have technology and plastic to help us!). $400 for a kit isn't bad at
all. Now it surely it is possible to outfit someone for $200 but what
needs to be understood (mostly on the new guy/gal's part) is that a
cheaper kit takes time and a great load of patience. The best thing is
to get an idea of what one needs and can buy and then keep an eye for
deals- which frequently pop on the armour archive. If some peices are
to be bought modern then watch for off-season sales on things like
hockey gear. Also labor- if it someone just helping them out as a
charity then you must have patience.

All in all your most expensive item is going to be the helm...other
places can be substitued with more modern and hidden things that could
cut down on cost for example. Don't pass up a quality helmet because
there is cheaper one over there well because of several factors. Two
most important are 1) As a new fighter you are going to get hit in the
head....A LOT 'nuff said. 2) You want it to be "comfortable". If your
helmet isn't comfortable you won't be happy! (Trust me I *know*) If
it's not proper fitting you will run into problems much sooner no
matter how much padding and foam you try to do with it before you will
with other pieces of the "kit" to get by.

For gaunlets- it doesn't matter if its metal or leather; getting
blasted in the hand won't do any difference- it still hurts like a
SOB. (one of those freakish accidents that can and do happen....) I
feel like my rig of leather sewn onto a baseball glove works better
than the metal half gauntlet i used. Combine that with a basket/cup
that protects and works with my hand. Similar to this:
http://tinyurl.com/ycfj4zr but the difference is the back hand piece
is more shaped to my hand and no thick foam between the glove and
leather; and the back hand peice is sewn to the wrist part; and the
wrist part is 360 not 180 like his.

Done rambling :P

~Rohesia