New to reenactment, need advice!

[Gaius Valerius Celer]

Avete omnes!

As the title says, I'm a "newbie". I've been a rabid fanatic of all things Roman, particularly the army, for years. The other day, on an impulse, I decided to order a Gladius, and from there I've discovered the wonder that is legionary reenactment. My question to all of you is: what's the best way to put together a kit? What suppliers do you recommend, what should I build myself, et cetera.

On that note, the sword I ordered is a mainz pattern from MuseumReplicas.com. While expensive, it looks like a quality piece. Did I make a good choice?

Thank you all in advance!

[Neuraleanus]

Join an existing legio. Where are you located? Go to Matt Amt's link page and find a roman group near you:
[url:7udjyzet]http://www.larp.com/legioxx/groups.html[/url]

Also, be careful with vendors. Only a few seem to be any good. A group can guide you. A few that I can recomend are
La Wrens Nest:
[url:7udjyzet]http://www.lawrensnest.com/[/url]
Albion for gladii:
[url:7udjyzet]http://www.albion-swords.com/[/url]
and
RLQM:
[url:7udjyzet]http://www.rlqm.com/[/url]

What can you make yourself? This hobby is still at the stage where it really helps to have access to a shop. A case in point is lorica. Unless you are very lucky, armour needs to be custom (or perhaps semi-custom) made. You might find a mass produced segmentata that fits you.

[Gaius Valerius Celer]

Thanks for the reply! I've applied for membership to Legio III Cyrenaica (I'm in Massachusetts), still waiting for a reply from them. I've looked at La Wrens Nest, and was impressed with the prices, but I'm concerned about the quality of Deepeeka items? I went MuseumReplicas at first because Windlass Steelcrafters claims their swords are actually practical (high carbon steel, heat tempered, balanced) which is very appealing to me.

[arklore70]

A carbon steel blade, heat tempered, and well balanced is desired. I believe there was an earlier post about a web site that actually tested swords out, and they had a Gladius that was very battle ready. However, it did not appear to be 100% historically accurate, and the leather scabbard was described as a after thought. Having some flex in it like a golf club is also excellent, though I doubt out Roman ancestors had weapons so well made for the common legionary/grunt.

August 2005 Blade magazine has few more helpful hints if memory serves me right.

I have a very battle ready one that suffers a bit from historical accuracy because I wanted something I could really take to war/use for demonstration purposes.

I am now looking for a non sharpened one to use for display and drilling and light whacking/demonstration work because the last thing I want to do is injure a fellow re enactor

Matt Amt of Legio XX has a section on his web site on things to avoid, it is very detailed and very helpful. Soul of the Warrior has some very reasonably priced gear. Marketplace section here can take you to that web site.

Good Luck to you, you have just entered one heck of a fun and rewarding hobby.

Cheers!!

Mike

[Gaius Valerius Celer]

Thanks Mike! I'll check that stuff out. Keep the info coming folks, an informed legionary is a happy legionary!

EDIT: Well, just started reading through Matt Amt's "Things to Avoid" list, and it appears I'll be cancelling my Gladius order with MuseumReplicas. The search continues...

[John M McDermott]

My advice is to consider a somewhat different approach than most people do. Start with the tunic first and then the caligae. Then get a paenula or a sagum. Then a balteus and pugio. Don't rush to buy a complete kit.

Also, start by studying grave steles. Pick one out that appeals to you and then try to re-create him in as much detail as you can. Many a stele depicts soldiers with just a few things. Lorica and helmets are conspicuously absent in many steles. So what? There is a lot to be learned there and you can come up with a very good representation without having everything at first.

Work on quality too. Good equipment may take years, but is worth the wait.

[Gaius Valerius Celer]

Thanks John! I think I'll take your advice and start with the tunic and caligae, and then perhaps a balteus. Would you (or anyone else for that matter) suggest just making my own tunic and sagum, or purchasing from someone else? They seem to be fairly simple items, but knowing me, I could screw up something as simple as a sagum!

As for the more complex items, such as the caligae and balteus, where would you suggest purchasing those? Any particular retailers you favor? I've been going through the wonderfully detailed Legio XX handbook, but it seems they place more emphasis on making your own equipment as opposed to purchasing from a retailer. I doubt I have the tools, time, or gravitas to pull off making anything too complicated, so a good, accurate retailer would be appreciated (and preferably one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg).

Keep the info coming!

[Aedon]

Khaire Gaius,

My advice is; Don't do unto others as Felix does unto himself! P
Actually, I say there is more to reenactement than just the equipment. Work out, go on marches, sleep outside, take a Martial Art, etc. It is fun to get yourself in fighting shape. Be inventive!

Khaire,

-Aedon

[Gaius Valerius Celer]

There's not a doubt in my mind that I'm getting into reenactment not just for the love of Rome but for the chance to play with sharp pointy things. I doubt I'm in condition to go on a forced march in full legionary field kit, but thankfully I've managed to stay in fairly good shape. Only time will tell if it's good enough when I get my hands on a scutum and lorica segmentata.

[John M McDermott]

Onething to learn is that no one supplier can give you everything. The better ones specialize. RLQM seems to specialize in segmentatas. Some items you have to search out yourself and find someone who can do it. Udones (socks) are an example. I found a knitter who could do naalbinding and would copy the Canellaria relief socks for me. She did a great job, but had done nothing like it before.

If you go the the Marketplace section there is a guy named Cacaius who is working on getting some tunic material with handwoven clavii. Try him out first. Legio XX has some excellent Caligae suppliers, but there are others as well.

I would seriously consider making a balteus myself. There are a number of great beltplates available. Learning how to rivet is not that hard. Through talking to other re-enactors over the years, I have learned that belts were really very significant. The presentation of the balteus to the soldier was part of his induction into the army. I believe belts were backed with pigskin or buckskin and that stitching was used as well as glue to hold the backing on. My last couple of belt projects have included colored thread that ads to the look of the belt.

[Marius_Ursus]

When I lived in San Diego, I was part of the LEG IX HSPA, under the command of Hibernicus, the proprietor ot RLQM. He had me start with making my caligae, then my tunica. Next came the balteus, belt, and what I called the "danglii" (plural for danglius). The danglii are the leather strips that make up the "sporran" hanging over the crotch.

It was a very good way to get into the spirit of re-enacting and taught me not only humility but that having a good pair of shoes is the most important thing a soldier who spends most of his time on his feet could own.

[Primvs Pavlvs]

John the knitter you found is my wonderful wife. She does awesome work doenst she.

Could I please see some pic of the belts you have made? I am curious as to what you mean by adding colored thread to it.

Primvs

[John M McDermott]

Gee, you must get your socks for free!

[Primvs Pavlvs]

I have to do a tremendous amount of begging.