Avete,
No one does a better site than Matt Amt for Legio XX, but one thing that I found that it lacks is a "Guide for Assembly of the Basic Kit" -- something that tells a new recruit what kit to obtain in which order.
To remedy that, I posted this one on our Legio's website (Legio XI in Atlanta, GA) at this link:
http://www.11thlegion.com/id1.html
Keep in mind -- this is for a small group, and it is not THE way to do this, only A way to assemble the kit and obtain items. I learned it through trial and error.
Here it is, extracted from the page:
Assembling your Basic Kit
A Brief Tutorial on Gear Assembly:
When assembling your gear, it's sometimes tough to decide where to start. For this reason, a brief tutorial from the Centurio is offered here to guide a new recruit in "a way" to proceed. See the section below entitled "The Basic Kit for the Legionairy" for links to pages with more detailed descriptions on each item.
This is not the only way. This hobby is different for all of us, but these tips are ones that some of us have learned the hard way through trial and error.
Having said that, this is the order I would recommend:
1) Caligae. Since feet are individual and you will be spending a lot of time on them, I would get your Caligae FIRST! Either follow the patterns in the "Handbook for Legionaries" under the "Caligae" link, or order a nice set from PAR Fabrica. Many of your brothers have bought them here for a good price.
2) Tunica/Focale. These are easily made at the same time. Either follow the instructions on the "Tunica" link from the "Handbook for Legionaries" page, or contact the Centurio. I prefer the "teabag" pattern with no sleeves, but many options are possible. This thing should fit you like a tent, and I can supply you with a pattern and potential fabric choices. At all costs, try to avoid a garish, bright red. Blood Red is preferred.
3) Balteus. Every legionary should make his own balteus. This item teaches you many skills that you will need as you work on your complete kit -- leatherworking, metal work, riveting, etc. All great skills. Several good suppliers of parts out there, from relatively inexpensive to expensive. Contact the centurio before you order plates or even whole baltei that are not accurate and a waste of money.
4) Gladius. For the gladius, you can go with an inexpensive option, or you can get expensive (Albion or Mark Morrow). If you are planning to order a custom blade, plan on it taking several months to arrive. Albion ships pretty quickly, as does Find-It Armory. Albion and Mark Morrow are well worth the money, but that's up to the individual legionary. Probably the best inexpensive gladii for the money are the #SDK1171 Pompeii-style gladius from Find-It Armory and the SOTW0040 gladius from Soul of the Warrior. Chris (Find-It) and Rusty Myers (SOTW) usually have them in stock, and they are both good buys at $85-$95. Talk to the centurio for more gladius advice.
5) Pugio and Scabbard. Again, lots of options here. Inexpensive: from Deepeeka (the Brass Beaded version) to the very nice version from Soul of the Warrior (SOTW0028). Expensive: Custom work from Len Morgan (Fabrica) or Mark Morrow. You get what you pay for. Bottom line -- whatever option you choose will take awhile, so order early from SOTW, Find-It, or your custom maker.
6) Galea. All of the versions listed as "approved" on the Legio XX site are also approved for Legio XI. Order this one early (as soon as you can afford it) -- all of the vendors are at the mercy of Deepeeka, and it may take several weeks or even months for it to arrive. So, call/email the various vendors/suppliers for availability before you order your galea.
7) Scutum. There are a couple of scutum presses in the legion, and you should start early on yours. We can supply you with the pressed, curved blank for a very reasonable fee (usually less than $20), as well as the pattern for the painted emblem. While a nice leather rim is acceptable, brass is preferred and not that hard to do. For an umbo, the best I've seen are from Mark Morrow. The Deepeeka umboa are crap. This is another item I highly recommend you make yourself. Most, if not all, of the complete "off the shelf" scuta are not worth having. Click on the image to the left to see a diagram of Legio XI's scutum pattern. Cardboard templates of this pattern can be obtained from the centurio.
8) Lorica/Subarmalis. The only acceptable off-the-shelf segmentatas out there are from Albion and Deepeeka (the new version). Contact me for more information. For custom work, order one from Matt Lukes. For a hamata, the 8mm version from Find-It Armory is a great buy, as is the 6mm version. Both are accurate, the 6mm slightly moreso. If you want to make your own segmentata, we can help you do that, as well. It is cheaper, but honestly not that much cheaper depending on how much work you personally want to put into it.
For your subarmalis it will depend on which lorica you choose. Lots of good patterns available, none available off-the-shelf that are worth the price. You are much better off making your own. Contact the centurio for more information.
9) Pilum. Order this one last, from SOTW or Roman Legion Quartermaster. Both are cheap and accurate.
Final Note: Remember, you are not in this alone! Come to the workshops. Ask someone more experienced for help. Somebody in the legio has already made whatever it is you are trying to make, and will help you with yours at a workshop. That's why we have them (and encourage you to attend).
Valete,
Edge