Horse Hair Plumes

[Neuraleanus]

I want to add a horse hair plume (not a crest) to my Coolus G helmet. What color would be most appropriate? Matt Amt says to use red, but on the same page he shows a white plume. Also, should feathers be dyed red?

[Peroni]

I have a black one. it can be seen here.. The auxiliary standing on Housesteads north wall. Black looks more menacing!

http://www.romanarmy.net/auxilia.htm

Whole tails can be bought really cheaply from (They may need a wash!)

http://www.horsetailsandsuch.com/

regards,

[Neuraleanus]

Your plume looks very nice. I've decided to go ahead with a red plume. Dan Perterson indicates that there's literary references for red.

[TFLAVIUSAMBIORIX]

yup, red is mentioned in polybius.

[Neuraleanus]

Here's the red plume that I just finished:

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

Does anyone know if it is safe, to the hair, to bleach and dye horse hair?

[Caballo]

Neuraleanus.

Nice job! Are you attaching the plume with a pin wrapped around the horsehair and then inserted vertically in the helmet?
The main problem I have had is the plume "shedding"- ie not held tightly enough together at base.
Any ideas?

Regards

Paulus

[Neuraleanus]

Some of the horsehair is attached by looping it about the pin. I did not think what I had then was thick enough so I glued in more clumps of hair by simply sticking it in the holes. I used generous amounts of ACC, so time will tell if I have a shedding problem.

[Caballo]

Thanks- ACC?

Paulus

[Neuraleanus]

ACC = Alpha Cyanoacrylate Cement, also known as "super glue".

[Peroni]

I used araldite two-part epoxy glue.

I tied the hair bundle and trimmed the ends level first, then I dipped the tips into the resin and this way you can work the glue all the way into the bundle.

At this point insert it into the pre-drilled holder and leave overnight.

Voila! it's stuck fast and no hair shedding!

regards,