Newbie Armorer Seeking Education.

[Drakevarg]

Massive nerd that I am, I want to learn how to make leather armor. Partially as a hobby, and partially because it gets fewer weird looks on the street than metal (not to mention the inherent difficulties in setting up a smithy in an apartment building).

Anyway, my first desired project is a set of fingerless forearm-length leather gloves with armored bracers, but I need everything from patterns to... well, a basic understanding of leatherworking. I was hoping the fine folks here could aid in that.

The actual materials aren't an issue, I have a box full of garment leather and a roll of patterning leather that's about armor-thickness, and most likely the tools to work with it.

[St8LineGunsmith]

website that might intrest you

http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/katchu/katchu.html

[jamesd]

Here are some sites I have used for patterns. You can use metal armor patterns with leather in most cases as well, with some modifications when needed.

http://almogavares.f...as-y-mas-cosas/

It is in spanish, but the patterns and pictures are pretty easy to follow.

http://www.armourarchive.org/patterns/

Great source fo various patterns.

http://home.messiah....or/weblinks.htm

Another source of patterns.

Hope those links help for the patterns.

In regards to basic understanding of leather working there are a lot of tutorials on YouTube to get you started as well as some posts in the forums here. Most of it comes down to practice. As you get started things will not come out as clean as you would like. As you practice the techniques you will get better. The best thing you can do is practice on leather scraps and pieces before using your good leather for the project.

Edited August 8, 2013 by jamesd

[St8LineGunsmith]

Very cool links there Jamesd! makss me want to build a suit of leather armour...Something like this

I probably have enough scrap to make nearly a whole suit. and absolutley www.youtube.com is a fantastic resource just type in beuce cheaney and Nigel Armitage in the youtube search and you can learn a lot about leatherwork

:Lighten:any idea how much you could sell a suit of armour like this for?

Edited August 9, 2013 by St8LineGunsmith

[jamesd]

any idea how much you could sell a suit of armour like this for?

I haven't done a lot in the way of pricing armor but if I had to guess I would say around $1200 give or take, depending on the buyer. Here is a piece that is on ebay for $1800. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIGHTINGALE-LEATHER-ARMOR-SET-LARP-COSPLAY-skyrim-/111004490769#vi-content