Odyssey Helmet Project
My latest attempt to create a helmet for Odyssey is looming dangerously close to becoming successful. However, I am now in uncharted waters as I try out techniques that are completely new to me.
At the first event last year (ODC 2), my character was given the helment of one of Pharaoh's personal guard. I've been trying to make my own copy of this helmet since then, on and off. The first three versions (some of which encompassed multiple attempts on a single idea) were all varying levels of disaster, ranging from 'embarressingly bad' to 'well, at least I learned something'. I was starting to think I was going to fail completely.
Version 4 started with a framework for the top of the skull which is largely based on a design from Leeds Armouries, where they have a good pattern for an Anglo-Saxon helm. This is basically a circlet around the top of the head with a 'spiderweb' of arched cross pieces rising up to meet in the centre. That creates a simple but fairly robust base on which the rest of the helm could be build. I used foam sheeting cut into strips for this skeleton and for the first few exterior plates of the helm, then used thick leather to make the rest- particularly in places where blows might land.
Having made the helm, my next move is to latex and isoflex it, as folks do with larp weapons, allowing me to paint the whole thing a uniform bronze. This is where I am moving into new territory, as I have almost no experience with latex and none at all with isoflex. Two undercoats have been applied, with a black acrylic mixed in with the latex to form a uniform base layer (following advice from Megan, who has also pointed me at some paints which should be suitable, ie not contain any ingredients which rot latex). Hopefully the current coat will be dry by tonight and I can try applying the first coat of bronze.
Fingers crossed, this version will result in a wearable finished product that I'm happy with. If not, I am confident that I'll have learned enough from the attempt to try again.
At the first event last year (ODC 2), my character was given the helment of one of Pharaoh's personal guard. I've been trying to make my own copy of this helmet since then, on and off. The first three versions (some of which encompassed multiple attempts on a single idea) were all varying levels of disaster, ranging from 'embarressingly bad' to 'well, at least I learned something'. I was starting to think I was going to fail completely.
Version 4 started with a framework for the top of the skull which is largely based on a design from Leeds Armouries, where they have a good pattern for an Anglo-Saxon helm. This is basically a circlet around the top of the head with a 'spiderweb' of arched cross pieces rising up to meet in the centre. That creates a simple but fairly robust base on which the rest of the helm could be build. I used foam sheeting cut into strips for this skeleton and for the first few exterior plates of the helm, then used thick leather to make the rest- particularly in places where blows might land.
Having made the helm, my next move is to latex and isoflex it, as folks do with larp weapons, allowing me to paint the whole thing a uniform bronze. This is where I am moving into new territory, as I have almost no experience with latex and none at all with isoflex. Two undercoats have been applied, with a black acrylic mixed in with the latex to form a uniform base layer (following advice from Megan, who has also pointed me at some paints which should be suitable, ie not contain any ingredients which rot latex). Hopefully the current coat will be dry by tonight and I can try applying the first coat of bronze.
Fingers crossed, this version will result in a wearable finished product that I'm happy with. If not, I am confident that I'll have learned enough from the attempt to try again.