RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

This is copied from a copy from the old board.

I am still considering a FAQ, but at present I really don't know what we should cover.  These links are listed as being fine choices, but, at present, with no claim as to their validity or safety or pretty much anything else.

The List:

• Cheesy Marketing Gimmicks in the Knife/Sword world. (http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26760)
  
• The anatomy of a *wallhanger* katana (http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43606)
  
• The Characteristics of the Rapier {http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/char-rapier.php is an invalid link - 06/04/12}
  
• Wayne Anderson's Guide to Swords for the Elizabethan Gentleman {http://www.margospatterns.com/swords.htm is an invalid link - 06/04/12}
  
• Questions and Answers About the Rapier (http://www.thearma.org/Youth/rapieroutline.htm)
  

Armor Resources:

• Cory Hurt of Hurt Armouries (http://www.ageofarmour.com) -- (pseudo)
  
• Arms and Armor (http://www.armor.com)
  
• Valentine Armouries (http://www.varmouries.com/)  -- (temp)
  
• Online Armory (http://www.onlinearmory.com/) -- (var)
  
• Mercenarys Tailor Armoury -- (joust)  {http://www.merctailor.com/ is an invalid link - 06/04/12}
  
• Armouronline (http://www.armouronline.com/) -- (temp)
  
• Pitbull Armory (http://www.pitbullarmory.com) -- (L_Oren)
  
• Historic Enterprises (http://www.historicenterprises.com/) -- (L_Jason)
  
• Norton Armouries (http://www.nortonarmouries.com/) -- (L_Jason)
  
• Therion Arms (http://www.therionarms.com/) -- (L_Jason)
  
• Vistar Armoury (no longer making new items) -- (L_Jason)  {http://www.vistarmoury.com/ is an invalid link - 06/04/12
  
• White Mountain Armoury (http://www.whitemountainarmoury.com/) -- (L_Jason)
  
• Blankenshield Armoury (http://www.livesteelarmor.com/) -- (L_Jason)
  
• DarkHeart Armoury (http://www.webpak.net/%7Ecdwood/) -- (L_Jason)
  
• Medieval Reproductions (http://www.medievalrepro.com/) -- (L_Jason)
  
• LARP-Armoury -- (L_Jason)  {https://ssl.kundenserver.de/larp-armoury.de/catalog/index.php?language=en&osCsid=ef47529fbf352089ac377ba70c520707} is an invalid link - 04/08/14
  
• Mittelalter-Online -- (L_Jason) {in German} {http://www.mittelalter-online.de/index.php is an invalid link - 06/04/12}
  
• Manning Imperial (http://www.manningimperial.com/) -- (Chris B)
  
• Ice Falcon (http://www.icefalcon.com/) -- (Sir Marc)
  
• Wulflund Historical Shop (http://www.wulflund.com/index.php) -- (Lady De)
  
• Samurai Store (http://www.samurai-store.com/) -- (Chris B)
  
• The Inner Bailey (leather) (http://www.theinnerbailey.com/armor.htm) -- (Sir Marc) 
  
• Age of Chivalry (http://www.ageofchivalry.com/) -- (Valiss)
  
• Larp Warrior -- (psparks44) {http://www.larpwarrior.com/collections/bodyarmor} is an invalid link - 04/08/14
  
• Targemaker  Targes (http://www.targemaker.co.uk/) -- (ChrisB -- Retired but site is still up)
  
• Tozando (Japanese Iaito, Shinken and Armor) -- (ChrisB)  {http://tozando.com/international/shopping.html} is an invalid link - 04/08/14
  
• Thorkil - VERY high quality Viking helms and armor (http://www.thorkil.pl/) -- (ChrisB)
  
• Armamentaria (Roman) (https://www.armamentaria.com/store/) -- (ChrisB)
  
• Soul of the Warrior (Roman) (http://legvi.tripod.com/armamentarium/) -- (ChrisB)
  
• LaWrens Nest (Roman) (http://www.lawrensnest.com/) -- (ChrisB)
  

Weapon Resources:

• Arms and Armor (http://www.armor.com)
  
• Del Tin (http://www.deltin.net/home.htm)
  
• Starfire (http://www.starfireswords.com/)
  
• Darkwood Armory (http://www.darkwoodarmory.com/) - facebook (http://www.facebook.com/DarkwoodArmory?v=wall)  -- (facebook link -- Dona C)
  
• Christian Fletcher (http://www.christianfletcher.com/)
  
• Badger Blades (http://www.badgerblades.com) -- (DB)
  
• BudK (http://www.budk.com) -- (DB)
  
• Phoenix (http://www.phoenixswords.com) -- (temp)
  
• Angel Sword (http://www.angelsword.com/) -- (var)
  
• Salamander Armoury-Jim Hrisoulas (http://www.atar.com) -- (valk)
  
• Dragon's Eye -- (rapier) {http://Dragonseyearmory.theshoppe.com is an invalid link 06/04/12}
  
• Revivial (http://www.revival.us) -- (joust)
  
• Albion Swords (http://www.albion-swords.com/) -- (joust)
  
• Lutel -- (Valk) {http://www.lutel.cz/index_.php?en=1 is an invalid link - 06/04/12}
  
• Triplette Arms (http://www.triplette.com/)
  
• Museum Replicas (http://www.museumreplicas.com) -- (PW)
  
• Medieval Weapon -- (PW) {http://www.medievalweaponart.com is an invalid link - 06/04/12}
  
• Knight's Edge (http://www.knightsedge.com) -- (PW)
  
• Armouronline (http://www.armouronline.com) -- (temp)
  
• Valentine Armouries (http://www.varmouries.com/) -- (temp)
  
• Kult of Athena (http://www.kultofathena.com/) -- (Mach)
  
• Blankenshield Armoury (http://www.livesteelarmor.com/) -- (L_Jason)
  
• Manning Imperial (http://www.manningimperial.com/) -- (Chris B)
  
• Iron Wolf Forge (http://www.ironwolfonline.com/) -- (Shetani)
  
• Darksword Armory (http://www.darksword-armory.com/) -- (Toki Bloodaxe)
  
• Sabersmith (http://www.sabersmith.com/) -- (EponaBlackhorse)
  
• Baltimore Knife & Sword Co. (http://www.baltimoreknife.com/) -- (1stmatematt)
  
• Wulflund Historical Shop (http://www.wulflund.com/index.php) -- (Lady De)
  
• Armour Class (http://www.armourclass.com/) -- (Chris B)
  
• Castle Keep (http://www.castlekeep.co.uk/) -- (Chris B)
  
• Bugei (http://www.bugei.com/) -- (Chris B)
  
• Ravenswood Leather -- (Valiss) {http://www.ravenswoodleather.com/index.html is an invalid link - 06/04/12}
  
• Age of Chivalry (http://www.ageofchivalry.com/) -- (Valiss)
  
• Armamentaria (Roman) (https://www.armamentaria.com/store/) -- (ChrisB)
  
• Soul of the Warrior (Roman) (http://legvi.tripod.com/armamentarium/) -- (ChrisB)
  
• LaWrens Nest (Roman) (http://www.lawrensnest.com/) -- (ChrisB)
  
• Lochness Origins (Dubhs Custom Made) -- (ChrisB)  {http://www.lochnessorigins.com/acatalog/sgian-dubhs.html} is an invalid link - 04/08/14
  
• Jidai (http://www.jidai.jp/) -- (ChrisB)
  
• Grozer Archery - High Quality Period Bows (http://www.grozerarchery.com/) -- (ChrisB)
  
• Scottish Dirks and Dubhs (http://www.scotiametalwork.com/) -- (ChrisB)
  
• China Traditional Archery Supplies (http://www.archerysupplier.com/) -- (StephenLee)
  
  Gonnes
  
• MEDIEVAL GONNE WORKS (http://www.handgonne.com) -- (Avon)
  

Schools, online resources/references:

• Martinez Academy of Arms (http://www.martinez-destreza.com/)
  
• The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (http://www.thehaca.com/)
  
• Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (http://www.aemma.org/)
  
• Sword Forum (http://swordforum.com/)
  
• My Armoury (http://www.myarmoury.com/)
  
• Schola Saint George (http://www.scholasaintgeorge.org/) -- (joust)
  
• Arador (http://www.arador.com/armour/) -- (L_Jason)
  

Schools, brick & mortar:

• Martinez Academy of Arms (in NYC) (http://www.martinez-destreza.com/)
  
• Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (in Toronto, CAN) (http://www.aemma.org/)
  
• Gallowglass Academy, Inc. (in Leaf River, IL) (http://www.gallowglassacademy.org/) -- (100 miles northwest of Chicago)
  

Online Resources for aspects of armor/weaponcrafting

• Metalsmithing
  
  
  
  • Anvilfire! (http://www.anvilfire.com/)
    
  • Blacksmith's Journal (http://www.blacksmithsjournal.com/)
    
  • Guild of Metalsmiths (http://www.metalsmith.org/)
    
  • Forge Magic (http://www.forgemagic.com/)
    
  • iforge iron (http://www.iforgeiron.com/)
    
• Leatherwork
  
  
  
  • Leatherworker.net (http://leatherworker.net/forum/)
    

Other

• Chivalry Bookshelf -- (temp) {http://www.chivalrybookshelf.com is an invalid link 06/04/12}
  

Just post an addition and I'll add it to the master list.  If you could add the name of the site as well, that would be helpful.  If you have any questions you would like answered, then note that as well.

List updated/validated 04/08/2014


--Escherblacksmith

p.s. If you find any broken links (I've noted several), let me know, either posting or PM will be fine.

 WOW great list but there is one vendor is not in buisness anymore that's Valentine Armouries. I got a Email from them saying there closeing there doors man that's sad they have some awsome stuff, there site is still up but they are no more. Sorry to see them go.

I have been checking out a site called Darksword Armory. They are a battle-ready arms and armor enterprise out of Canada that make amazing sword, daggers and armor. there are some great link to videos depicting their battle-ready swords in action. Well worth a checkout, in my opinion. Thanks for the big master list, too. That really helps out.

Sabersmith (www.sabersmith.com)

Based out of Michigan.  Swords, daggers, axes, maces, hammers.

updated, thanx!

Great list indeed. May want to add "IceFalcon'" - http://www.icefalcon.com/  Quality gear & great people to deal with.

updated.

Thanks!

Baltimore Knife and Sword seems to be missing again.
www.baltimoreknife.com

thanks.

Yeah, I pretty much lost everything that was added in the last 6-8 months or so.

thanx!

I need help finding the koh scabbard of guy. i cannot find it anywhere?

why just the scabbard?

were you the guy (no pun intended) looking for this item last year?

Anyhoo, this place in Europe claims to have one

Yatego (http://www.yatego.com/bekleidungskammer/p,486ceb4193a8c,486a59f013f540_7,kingdom-of-heaven-scabbard-of-guy-de-lusignan)

you may need a translator.

Amazon Germany has it as well:

Amazon.de (http://www.amazon.de/Kingdom-Heaven-Scabbard-Guy-Lusignan/dp/B001G0CXSK/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1222957326&sr=1-31)

Looks a wee bit expensive.

There is another sword maker at the Mi Ren Fes that I've been trying to find a web site for.  Their booth is right by the joust field.  They are listed in the 2008 Faire Program as "Arms and Armour" but all I come up with when I search that is the Arms and Armour site you've alread listed.  I though someone told me that they are from Michigan too but Saber Smith isn't the one I'm talking about.  If anyone can help it would be great.  Thanks 

Wulflund Historical Shop, Weapons, Armor, Shoes, Clothing, Dishes, everything living history from ancient to early 18th century.

http://www.wulflund.com/index.php (http://www.wulflund.com/index.php)

Armour Class
http://www.armourclass.com/
Another sword supplier and manufacturer.  I am eyeing their baskhilts for next year.

Castle Keep
http://www.castlekeep.co.uk/

Very nice custom made blades in Scotland.  Register and check out the forum for some of Rob's custom work.  I am having him make a finish viking find sword similiar to the Albion Valkyrja but with more detail.  He has a long que and wait, but does exquisite work.

Bugei
http://www.bugei.com/
Higher end Japanese swords.

Samurai Store
http://www.samurai-store.com/
Marutake Sangyo made Japanese suits of armor.  These are very high quality and where I bought my own set of 16th century Samurai Armor.

For Leather Armor

http://www.theinnerbailey.com/armor.htm

Great craftsmanship and an absolute pleasure to deal with. (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/LittleCasino/Smileys/thumbup.gif)(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/LittleCasino/Smileys/thumbup.gif)

Apparently I haven't been paying attention to this thread.

List updated, thanks!

Darkwood Armory
http://www.facebook.com/DarkwoodArmory?v=wall

Ravenswood Leather
-The absolute best in leather clothes and wears.
http://www.ravenswoodleather.com/index.html

Age of Chivalry
-Bringing you the finest medieval and renaissance arms, armor, and apparel.
http://www.ageofchivalry.com/

Added the Facebook link for Darkwood, and added the 2 new ones.

thanks!

Here's a new weapons/accessories resource: StageSwords.com, by John Davis (Hack of Hack and Slash fame).  John has been a period weapons expert for 20+ years and a wonderful hiltsmith.  We offer Hanwei products as well as John's own creations, the Fight Director line.  His work is currently in the Folger Theater (DC), London, and many stage productions.  All are re-enactment / stage combat worthy weapons. Come visit!

Here's another one:

http://www.larpwarrior.com/collections/bodyarmor

Lochness Origins (Dubhs Custom Made)
http://www.lochnessorigins.com/acatalog/sgian-dubhs.html
-- I have personally ordered from them and am beyond pleased.  Very high quality work for a custom Sgian Dubh.

High Quality Targes
http://www.targemaker.co.uk/
-- As someone who has made 30 plus historically accurate shields and as someone who ordered a targe from Joe Lindsay, his work is exceptional and as accurate as you can get for this type of shield.

Japanese Iaito, Shinken and Armor
Tozando
http://tozando.com/international/shopping.html
-- This is a highly recommended supplier for Iaito in the Iaido community.  There products are very high quality and they have a stellar reputation.
Jidai
http://www.jidai.jp/
-- I have not personally ordered anything from Jidai, but it is also one of the more established suppliers for Iaito.

Grozer Archery - High Quality Period Bows
http://www.grozerarchery.com/
-- I have not personally ordered from grozer, yet.  I intend to buy a Crimean Tartar bow soon.  All research I have done is that their products are superb.

Roman Arms and Armor:  As with all armor, some items on these sites are excellent and some are not so much.

Armamentaria
https://www.armamentaria.com/store/
-- The items are a little pricey, but they are legit and very well known among Roman Reenactors.  I have used them.

Soul of the Warrior
http://legvi.tripod.com/armamentarium/
-- Rusty Meyers is known in the Roman community and has very good prices.  Sometimes, delivery can be slow, but the price usually makes it worth it for period appropriate armor.

LaWrens Nest
http://www.lawrensnest.com/
-- Same comment as above for Soul of the Warrior.  I have used all three of these Roman sites for my own Roman kits.

Thorkil - VERY high quality Viking helms and armor, especially their vendel and valsgarde migratory helms
http://www.thorkil.pl/

Updated, thanks!

http://www.scotiametalwork.com/  Scottish Dirks and Dubhs

On a personal note:  I just bought my own dirk from Mike McRae and received it yesterday.  For the price of roughly $450, his work really cannot be beat in my opinion.  Most production dirks are just cheap looking and not very H/A.  For a more accurate dirk, quotes from "Arms and Armor" or Scottish blade smiths were WELL over $1,000.  Mike was extremely kind, very enthusiastic about his work, and produced a blade on par with more expensive makers that I will be happy with for years at a fraction of the cost.  I would not hesitate to use him again or recommend him.  Just thought I would add this since there is such a huge Scottish contingent on these boards.

links tested and updated

great list

May want to add http://www.archerysupplier.com/ (http://www.archerysupplier.com/) quality traditional horse bow, recurve bow shop.

Quote from: escherblacksmith on May 21, 2008, 08:22:48 AM

• Valentine Armouries (http://www.varmouries.com/) (may be going out of business, see post (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=834.msg9867#msg9867)) -- (temp)
  
  
  List updated/validated 04/08/2014
  
  
  --Escherblacksmith
  
  p.s. If you find any broken links (I've noted several), let me know, either posting or PM will be fine.
  

Rob Valentine may have closed his original operations in Canada, but he is very much in business now in Las Vegas, NV.

A friend of mine, who has recently moved to the Chicago area, is having some Armour made by Valentine Armouries this Summer.


Take Care,
David Baldock

Links verified . . . I think I got them all . . .