03.02.09
Posted in Medieval Products at 4:32 pm by Administrator
Okay, this is a reprint of an email I received last week. It’s so funny I just had to share. I love my customers 
When I came across the EXCALIBUR sword on your glorious website, I nearly fell out of my car and rolled down the stairs in pure excitement! I swear a blood oath that I heard flutes playing and saw people dancing on top of mountains I was so happy. I need to place an order for this weapon of mass destruction, but first I need you to ensure some of my needs are met.
First, I want the sheath to be made of solid platinum blessed by elven wizards. The blessing must be at least plus 2. Second, whenever I pull my Excalibur from its sheath, I want it to spray lightning all over the room, killing everything within 75 feet of my body. The lightning must be made of 1,000,000 amps… everyone knows amps are much better than stupid volts. Third, I want all people standing near my sword to pop like 16 boners… bigger than the biggest boner ever to live ever. Fourth, I want my sword to be able to fold… I drive a geo metro, and I need to be able to fit it in my trunk. Fifth… I want you to include a pair of Excalibur pajamas with my order.
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06.27.08
Posted in Medieval Products at 9:38 pm by Administrator
We were recently asked about what makes a good dagger. Well, there are a few things you should for if you are shopping for a quality dagger, knife or sword. Now, keep in mind, bladed weapons are very dangerous even if they are not sharpened. If they are sharpened, you should be an expert before handling them. They are seriously that sharp and that dangerous.
When you are shopping for a bladed weapon, one of the first things to look for is solid construction. You can tell if a piece is constructed well by looking at the tang. If a dagger is full tang, the metal of the blade will continue through the handle to the end. The tang is basically just an extension of the actual blade. That is the base of the handle, which keeps the blade and handle attached (because it is all one piece). Some poorly made replicas are not full tang, meaning they are NOT battle ready, nor are they valuable. If you are looking for something just for decoration, these are probably the way to go. The tang is smiths use to hold onto the blade when they are shaping it. It is only natural to use it as the actual handle of the blade.
The hilt, or the tsuba on Japanese swords, is what separates the handle from the blade. Depending on the style of the sword and its uses, the hilt can be a hand protector to mere decoration. The rapier generally uses a basket hilt or some fanciful version of it as a means to protect the hand wielding the weapon. What you are looking for in a hilt/tsuba is of solid construction. Some very well constructed swords and daggers actually have the hilt created from the blade and the tang. And all one piece construction is very desirable in a bladed weapon, especially if it is to be used on a regular basis. The less pieces that make up the weapon, the stronger and more durable it will be.
Probably the most important thing to look for in a good blade is the blade itself. Find out what it is made from. Ultimately, if this weapon is going to be used for reenactments, etc…you really want to have a high carbon spring steel blade. Stainless steel isn’t going to cut it (no pun intended). Although, stainless steel is just fine for replicas and for display only items. The thing about actually using a sword is that if you hit it hard enough against something, the blade can shatter. That’s why you want high carbon spring steel. It is fired at much higher temperatures, allowing for an increased hardness factor. The higher temperatures followed by different levels of quenching also creates a more flexible steel. When struck against, wood for example, the sword should not simply absorb the full energy of the blow. If the steel is too rigid, it will take the full blow and where does all of that energy go? Not only up into the arms of the wielder, but through the blade itself. If the blade cannot flex, it will shatter. A properly constructed spring steel blade will reverberate when struck against an object. It will not shatter.
I hope this has been interesting. You should check out our medieval swords and medieval daggers pages for a great selection!
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06.23.08
Posted in Medieval Products at 9:16 pm by Administrator
Plate armor is very similar to an insect’s exoskeleton. It protects the bones and inner organs from crushing and cutting. Different styles of medieval armor was designed for different purposes. Some styles were better for protection again swords, while others offer better protection against projectiles such as crossbow bolts.
There are many pieces of plate armor that can be used together to protect the entire body, not just the chest and back. Medieval gauntlets were used to protect the hands and wrists from being severed by a sharp sword or axe. They had to be strong enough to withstand that kind of pressure, while still be mobile enough to allow a level of dexterity on the part of the knight. Without the ability to make a fist, a knight could not hold a sword.
Just like the Black Knight of Monty Python fame, all knights were at a risk of losing a limb from a well placed sword blow. That’s why some knights used leg armor to protect themselves. If you lost a limb, heck, if you even got a cut in the Middle Ages, you were at risk for infection and death. Protecting one’s limbs was the safest way to avoid such a demise, especially if one was engaging in battle.
The most famous of all plate armor (and the most important) was the breastplate or cuirass. The breastplate served a multitude of purposes. If a knight was not in battle, he would still often wear a cuirass when out and about. It still provided protection against dissenters and thieves, and it also could be used to show off the family’s Heraldry. An excellent example of this is the Richard the Lionhearted breastplate. If a knight showed that he was part of an influential family, thieves might think twice before attacking him.
Come to A Squared Armory to browse our collection of replica and wearable medieval plate armor! We have great pieces for the Renaissance Faire!
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05.19.08
Posted in Medieval Products at 5:59 pm by Administrator
Medieval helmets come in all shapes, sizes and styles. What you might not know is why some helmets look so completely different from others from the same time period. It’s all about function. Ok, and some looks. It may have been called the Dark Ages, but people still had a sense of style.
You will notice that some helmets are closed, or they have a face plate that can be raised when not in use. Close helms are really the hardcore battle helmets. The heavy gauge of the metal protects not only the head, but keeps the face safe from weapons and shrapnel. You will often see elaborate air flow holes in these close helms, as they are meant to be closed for long periods of time. You might have seen castle guards wearing such helmets, as they had to be prepared for anything, at any time. A great example of a close helm is the Sugarloaf Great Helm. This helmet offers excellent protection, and is meant to be kept on for long period of time. You will notice that there is no way to life the face plate. The elaborate pattern of air holes and the very narrow slits for the eyes indicates that this helmet was mainly used for defense or for border guards. Plus, the pointed top is excellent for deflecting strikes made on the top of the head.
This Barbute helmet is made much more open, and was probably used as a precautionary measure. Not necessarily for defense. The crest on the top makes for excellent head protection against blunt weapons, but the more open face leaves a lot exposed. The open face also makes it a lot easier to see out of, which could indicate this style was used more for close combat fighting.
Medieval helmets are just part of the whole medieval armor package. Medieval knight armor was very extensive but for a very, very good reason.
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Along with the medieval clothing, A2 Armory has a new line of 
A2 Armory loves reenactors! I myself have not yet taken part in a reenactment but I’ve been a to a few and I know how hard it can be to find inexpensive costume pieces to round out your presentation. All of the weapons and clothing that A2 Armory offers are authentically styled and priced to fit your budget.
