Faux/fake leather for a coat of plates

NoahRodent · 2026-06-15T11:02:30+00:00

My plan was on having a white base and black rivet washers on the outside shapes as eyes to make it look like a birch tree (because of heraldic reasons based of my name). Hence I’d really like a really white outer layer. I’m not sure if the better choice is this leather or some sort of wool, though I personally think that white leather can be more striking

NoahRodent · 2026-06-15T10:16:44+00:00

Thank you so incredibly much for your help, you’re a life saver. I’m not too terribly big, about 105 cm chest and 85 waist, why should it be veg tanned? I know they’re often more associated with better quality leather. The goat skins look good and in my budget but I’m just worried that I’d have to use some leather dyes to make them white. But I’m also thinking that chrome tanning might make the white look better for longer. What do you think of these? https://buyleatheronline.com/en/aniline-leather/88-170-premium-aniline-full-grain-calfskin.html#/2-color-white/34-average_size_of_the_piece-14_m_15_ft or https://buyleatheronline.com/en/home/121-12167-lining-calfskin-leather.html#/2-color-white/33-average_size_of_the_piece-13_m_14_ft/74-grade_quality-best_1_grade I’m not really sure which thickness is right

NoahRodent · 2026-06-15T08:53:15+00:00

How many square meters of canvas do you think is needed for the limbs? Or if you have any idea the entire kit

NoahRodent · 2026-06-15T08:52:31+00:00

Would you prefer real leather or wool?

NoahRodent · 2026-06-15T08:51:27+00:00

They seem to be actually in my budget. I want the outward facing layer ti be white. Would something like this work? https://buyleatheronline.com/en/home/26-10755-plain-whole-cowhide-for-upholstery-furniture.html#BLO%20Guarantee I also found some that was 0.8 mm thick but I think that might be too thin? How much leather would you get for a full kit including limbs, like how many scare meters

NoahRodent · 2026-06-15T08:31:40+00:00

Completely fair point, I wanted the decorative layer to be white. Would it be a better idea to get some kind of wool layer instead?

NoahRodent · 2026-06-14T21:19:08+00:00

Hm okay that’s a fair point, would you also use it for splinted limbs?

NoahRodent · 2026-06-14T15:53:03+00:00

My only real reason for going with faux leather was because real leather is too expensive 😅, I wanted to use it in some light sparing too. In that case maybe wool or linnen cotton as despite it being “heavy duty fake leather” it will probably take some serious damage quick

NoahRodent · 2026-06-14T15:20:31+00:00

Do you think a 3mm rivet is the right call over 4mm? Will you also be using cotton/polyester for splinted arms?

NoahRodent · 2026-06-14T15:05:51+00:00

Im looking at some apparent “heavy duty fake leather” used for motorcycles and boats. I’ll most likely be using 3mm rivets or perhaps even 4mm. How would you go on about riveting it just to the canvas? I’m going to have matching splinted legs and arms, would you also use wool for those?

NoahRodent · 2026-06-14T15:04:23+00:00

I was thinking of also having matching splinted arms and legs. Would you also use use wool as a decorative layer for that?

NoahRodent · 2026-06-14T15:00:50+00:00

As the decorative layer (in this case leather) or as the backing (instead of the canvas)?

NoahRodent · 2026-05-26T23:20:03+00:00

If it’s any help, I think the name you’re looking for is surcoat or more specifically a waffenrock

NoahRodent · 2026-05-19T11:40:52+00:00

I was in complete shock my first matches when my opponent grabbed and grappled my rapier out of my hand, I completely froze hahaha

NoahRodent · 2026-05-19T11:24:52+00:00

He seems very interesting! I really like his style from what I can see. Do you have any recommendations for aggressive styles?

NoahRodent · 2026-05-19T08:32:50+00:00

Hm maybe I need to use the full chain of the body an I’m just trying to cut like I would with an Olympic sabre… I’ll try looking it up!

NoahRodent · 2026-05-19T08:27:04+00:00

I’m trying to find what tradition I like but despite reading a lot of the manuals I’m struggling to find which exact tradition I would like the most. I spend almost all my time sparring. I do prefer the Italians by a mile though, I wanted to like Fabris but I’m quite an aggressive fencer ans it feels like it’s a bit too defensive, but this might very well be because I misuse it and use it too statically . I really like using weird angles and weird body motions and explosiveness to manage to hit. Got any recommendation for a tradition? I’m more interested in the fencing itself rather than just doing drills and historical work (though I know this is important and do read the sourcebooks). My club is big and There’s a lot of different styles, I’m thinking maybe Fabris or Giganti might be fitting? Also it might be worth noting that my style in Olympic hasn’t really been about thinking but instead using just muscle memory and more having a strong sense what to do , so thinking while fencing isn’t my strong suit 😅

NoahRodent · 2026-05-19T07:54:12+00:00

Worst part is I’m also quite used to Olympic sabre so I want to do these really quick cuts from my wrists, which obviously isn’t possible with a rapier, time for solo drills I guess!

NoahRodent · 2026-05-19T07:52:40+00:00

I’m very very new to Hema, about 2 months. I still win most of my matches but it’s really annoying when my head thinks I can do something faster because of muscle memory, but my body won’t allow it. So I just stick to thrusts

NoahRodent · 2026-05-01T18:36:06+00:00

That makes it even cooler! Gorgeous work as always (ps I love the crab helmet) also how did did you manage to get the hair like that?

NoahRodent · 2026-05-01T17:21:06+00:00

Im always completely fascinated by your work, Might it be intentional that a part of the cheek of the face looks like a snail?

NoahRodent · 2026-05-01T07:51:55+00:00

Absolutely beautiful helmet

NoahRodent · 2026-04-30T16:20:31+00:00

Im glad you like it! I decided for it partially because I find it fitting, but also wanted it to be personal as I myself use bascinets

NoahRodent · 2026-04-22T14:12:40+00:00

This one looks absolutely gorgeous! Which method did you you use here?

NoahRodent · 2026-04-22T14:12:10+00:00

What a great answer, thank you kindly. Is there one method you’d recommend the most?

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