Armor Resource Suggestions

[taage]

Every time I try to look up armor, there is either a plethora of options, or none at all, and it is difficult to decide what is quality and what is not, etc. To this end, I am hoping that the various members of the WCoS (and other modern martial organizations) can put forth their experiences, both good and bad, with the available vendors, styles, and so forth including likely prices, time from placing of order to arrival of product, and other pertinent details.

All armor is up for comment, but from personal experience I am particularly eager to hear about gauntlets and gorgets as these are things that ever seem in short supply.

-Taage

[Vea]

I've found that Otto's armory makes decent steel pieces, but they're not stainless. I've only purchased their steel gorget (and painted it black), but it tends to rust around the edges. Gad purchased the metal shoulders and he says that he has to keep cleaning them to keep the rust off. But again, the pieces are sturdy, inexpensive, and do a fine job in protecting what they were made to protect.

As for leather, I find that the Hide House in Napa has the best selection thus far. I recommend Tandy Leather for all your hardware.

[Vea]

http://bokalosarmoury.com/express.htm

I just ordered several items for steel fighting from the above link (Bokalo's Armoury). The pieces came quickly and are of good quality.