I’m ready to buy some weapons, shield, armour and more. Can anyone recommend some quality places to buy from? I don’t mind spending money for good quality but I just want to make sure the armour and weapons that I buy, meet standards required. If anyone can provide links, I would be very grateful!
Hoo boy. Bit of a wide subject here.
Here’s a list of traders at Empire events, for reference as we go:
All of these are, as far as I know, solid choices in terms of places to buy stuff.
Now, for items up to the required standard, I would advise a couple of things:
- Buy from the traders on that list. They will likely know the standards for Empire (in terms of weapon quality, safety checks, and iconography), and may even be at the events.
- Armour you could buy in advance. Weapons and shields I strongly reccomend you purchase at an event. This allows you to (a) test them out for weight/look/feel in person, and (b) return them in high dudgeon if they fail the weapons check.
If you’re after some reccomendations in specific, then from my personal experience:
Weaponry: I’d go for Eldritch for some lighter blades, or Skian Mhor for chunkier stuff.
Armour: White Rose Apparel do simple plate of good quality and price, Darkblade do some excellent leather bits and helmets.
General: Having-a-Larp, Gems, and Chows Emporium have been great for costume, accessories, or anything really.
I mean, it might be best checking through online catalogues, maybe some emails to confirm stock, and turning up at events with ready funds…
There WILL be LOADS of traders at events, especially the next one.
I’m afraid that if you want more specific advice, you’ll have to say what sort of things you’re looking for, maybe with intended style, nation, weight?
I’m assuming, from your other posts, Dawnish knight?