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Author Topic: asking for opinions about gdfb
Kent
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Member # 161

posted 08-14-2008 08:07 AM     Profile for Kent     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Hi --
I came across this website, and the (munitions-grade, apparently) Milanese arms, gauntlets, and spaulders looked interesting, but I have never heard anything about these folks.

Can anyone tell me of their experiences with them, or about the accuracy and craftsmanship of their work? My interest is in historical authenticity and for wear in sparring.

Get Dressed For Battle

P.S. -- and how do people outside of the UK avoid paying their VAT?
Thanks much!


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Callum Forbes
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posted 08-14-2008 05:47 PM     Profile for Callum Forbes   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
My experiences with GDFB have been very negative. I first tried to order through their website but New Zealand was not on their list of countries so their web-sales system collapsed on me.

I then tried to email them from their website's link and that crashed too.

Eventually I got a mate of mine in England to buy the items I wanted. These were the ball headed spear heads which are good.

I would probably buy more of their stuff if their sales system for non-UK residents worked and was more user friendly. I buy a lot of my gear from overseas and their on-line sales system sucks very badly compared to others that I have used.

If you are a non-UK resident, VAT is not charged at the UK end and you may need to advise the provider of this although most of the time the web-sales software recognises your non-residency and removes the VAT automatically.

I hope this helps.

[ 08-14-2008: Message edited by: Callum Forbes ]

[ 08-14-2008: Message edited by: Callum Forbes ]

[ 08-14-2008: Message edited by: Callum Forbes ]

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URL=http://www.jousting.co.nz

Facebook [URL=http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1290562306]


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Fire Stryker
Admin & Advocatus Diaboli
Member # 2

posted 08-15-2008 06:59 AM     Profile for Fire Stryker   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Hi Kent,

I've heard mixed reviews. I think we might have some GDFB items. I believe that currently the Milanese Gauntlets are out of stock. Another member of WA was thinking about getting them and that's what they told him.

Other than that...I don't really know what to tell you.

In regard to VAT, Callum is correct. If you are a non-UK buyer, you do not have to pay VAT.

You might have to pay an import duty on the US side depending on what the item is. I know we had to pay a fee on our tent which came from the UK.

Jenn

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ad finem fidelis


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LHF
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posted 08-17-2008 11:00 PM     Profile for LHF   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Hi Kent,

I've been able to handle some pieces and it is really is hit or miss with their products. Like most mass-produced items some runs are better than others. They do have some faults i.e. they are oversized, in some examples they achieved the rolled edge by welding a strip to simulate the roll, and lastly the rivet placement are not always correct and functional. Are they better than Windlass in getting the feel? Yes, very much so. Are they beyond munitions quality, I would say no and may even require some tinkering to get to a true munitions piece. Ultimately it depends on the standards that you are trying to achieve.

The good news in that CAS Iberia is a US importer and they have most items in stock. CAS Iberia Just find a dealer that does business with them.

Also as a bit of a funny aside, the pauldrons are mounted on the wrong shoulders in the full armor pics.

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Db

D'rustynail


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Kent
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Member # 161

posted 08-21-2008 06:21 AM     Profile for Kent     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Thanks to all who responded -- your information has been very helpful.

I am now starting a full-court press to get one of GDFB's sallets to help with my Burgundian Pikeman/Halbardier portrayal as a very early Christmas present.

I plan to ask for either of the "Gothic" styles, rather than the "Venetian" one.


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LHF
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posted 08-21-2008 08:30 PM     Profile for LHF   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
I handled both models of their "export" sallet. I DO NOT recomend the model that comes with the bevor and decorative rivets. Look at the images below for clarification. The decorative rivet are not correctly placed on the bowl. They should be further up on the bowl. If you purchase the no frils model you can if you like install your own rivets in a historical position.

The other thing that you should know is that though the profile looks great, the head on shape is a little off along the medial ridge. Also the occular is a bit too wide in comparison to historical.

If you're handy it can be a fun helmet to tinker with, i.e. removing the leather lining and installing a historical liner, tightening up the fit of the visor to helmet, cleaning up the welds, etc. Even without the "adjustments" it can be a nice helmet. Ultimately it depends on what you are looking for and what level of accuracy you intend to portray vs. funds available.

One last advise, know that they run big. I'm a 7 1/2 60cm and can comfortably fit in a Medium with enough room for a historical liner.

I hope that you find this information useful, Kent and enjoy the helmet if indeed purchase it. Look around ebay, you can pick one up easly for $175.

Best,

Db

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Db

D'rustynail


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James Bretlington
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posted 12-03-2008 11:13 AM     Profile for James Bretlington   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
As an add on edgefair.com appears to be Cas Hanwei's own retail website.

I have the GDFB breastplate, and am pleased with it.

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Loyaulte Me Lie


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Gwen
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posted 12-03-2008 11:51 AM     Profile for Gwen   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
the pauldrons are mounted on the wrong shoulders in the full armor pics.

Wrong shoulders -and- upside down.

Look on LHUK and caveat emptor.


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Fire Stryker
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posted 12-08-2008 10:56 AM     Profile for Fire Stryker   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
URL for Living History UK Forum:
http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/forums

[ 12-08-2008: Message edited by: Fire Stryker ]


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Friedrich
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posted 12-20-2008 10:48 AM     Profile for Friedrich   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
FYI... GDFB split partnerships and changed suppliers. They no longer have the same Indian source of maille they once had. They are doing something else now with a new supplier...

They are still gdfb.co.uk and/or getdressedforbattle.co.uk (same)

The other company (original supplier) is gdfbglobal.co.uk

I haven't seen anything from the new supplier. So... feedback anyone?

[ 12-20-2008: Message edited by: Friedrich ]


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Paul Kenworthy
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posted 01-14-2009 01:13 PM     Profile for Paul Kenworthy     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Just got a GDFB sallet. It is the one that CAS Iberia calls the Venetian Sallet with Bevor AB0503:

CAS Iberia Venetian Sallet

I bought it from a web site that had it drop shipped from CAS Iberia. It lists for $259 and I got it for $219.

This is a helmet that gdfb.co.uk no longer lists on their site. I don't know if that means it's from the old manufacturer or what. CAS Iberia has them in stock and ships right away from Tennessee. No VAT and no sales tax in Massachusetts.

The reason I got it is that despite CAS calling it Venetian, it is a copy of the sallet found in St. Mary's Guild Hall in Coventry, England. The provenance of the original is unknown, but it is a style that is distinctly English c. 1460 and was probably made in England rather than an import. The original is quite well known for that reason and it appears in several of the Osprey books on the Wars of the Roses. The unusual style -- neither Milanese, nor German -- attracted me.

The reproduction helmet is a mass-produced piece made up of halves arc welded together. The fit and finish is a little rough and I intend to clean it up with a small grinder. Other than that I'm very pleased with it for the price. Of course it is nowhere up to the standard of a custom made helmet, but should be functional and good looking with a minimum of work.

One thing that was interesting was the fit. At first I thought it was too small despite the fact that the stated size was 25 inch circumference and my head is 23 1/2 inches around. It is a half visor style so that the top edge of the face opening is also the top edge of the ocular. If I pulled the helmet down so that I could see out the ocular with the visor closed, the top edge of the face opening cut into my eye brows. I discovered that when I opened up the liner, the helmet sat down farther on my head and no longer pushed against my brow ridge (no Neanderthal jokes please). It seems this is an artifact of the high crown combined with the half visor; it is meant to sit low on your head with the edges almost on your shoulders, rather like a barbute. I may replace the liner sometime in the future which might also affect how much forwards or backwards it sits on my head.

The helmet also came with a bevor which I rather like. It needs to have padding put into the chin, but other than that fits well.

Maybe I'll put some pictures up if I get a chance.

Regards,

Paul


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Paul Kenworthy
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posted 01-24-2009 02:18 PM     Profile for Paul Kenworthy     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
As promised, here are photos of my new Get Dress for Battle "venetian" sallet.

First are pics of the bevor. It is made up of four pieces. The right and left halves are welded together and then

the top is riveted inside of the bottom. You can see the weld in the top halves in this pic:

The rolled edge is actually a strip welded on.

Best Regards,

Paul


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Paul Kenworthy
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posted 01-24-2009 02:42 PM     Profile for Paul Kenworthy     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Here are some photos of the helmet itself. Needless to say the wreath and feathers don't come with the sallet.

Best Regards,

Paul


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Paul Kenworthy
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posted 01-24-2009 02:45 PM     Profile for Paul Kenworthy     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Here are some more photos of the helmet.

Best Regards,

Paul


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LHF
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posted 01-25-2009 10:05 PM     Profile for LHF   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Hi Paul,

Thanks for posting these pics since this is a piece that I have not been able to handle.

I have a couple of questions that I am hoping you could answer. Looking at the profile of the peak, how is it made? Could you run your finger along the inside and tell me if it is actually part of the bowl being pushed up or is it only some extra material that they welded onto the top and ground into shape.

I like the profile of this one a lot better than the "export" sallet and am wondering if it could tolerate a bit of reshaping to remove the peak.

Thanks in advance or your reply. By the by, would it be too much trouble to post some pics w/o the decorations?

Best,

Db

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Db

D'rustynail


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Paul Kenworthy
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posted 01-27-2009 11:31 AM     Profile for Paul Kenworthy     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Db,

'Fraid the peak is formed into the bowl, not added on -- in other words, not built up. The bowl is made up of two halves welded together and the peak is formed into the halves before the welding. If you wanted to take it down, you would have to pound it down on a stake anvil. Since there is a medial ridge to the top of the bowl, that would take some reasonably fancy pounding to reduce the peak without reducing the ridge.

Photos will have to wait until next weekend. I don't have photo floods, so I need natural lighting.

Best Regards,

Paul


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Petrus
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Member # 531

posted 02-06-2009 02:50 PM     Profile for Petrus     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
While we could nit pick that helmet until the cows come home, it is going to be hard to beat the quality/price ratio on it.

They say they are made of 14gauge steel. I'm wondering if you can tell if it actually feels that thick still or not. The indians like to grind and polish a lot. Assuming is has some thickness still you should easily be able to heat it and remove the peak. Not sure I'd try it cold personally.


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Paul Kenworthy
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posted 02-09-2009 06:25 AM     Profile for Paul Kenworthy     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
The metal is pretty thick and the helmet is quite heavy. I wore it for 4 hours last Saturday and the top of my head is still a little sore. I wouldn't be suprised if it is still pretty close to 14 gauge thick.

It looks like mild steel to me, so I bet it wouldn't be much harder to work than taking a dent out of a '57 Chevy. If you had a narrow stake anvil that was close to matching the medial ridge, you could hit the peak with a torch without damaging it and tap it down hot. I'd reheat it afterwards and let it anneal and then you'd have to polish out the heat coloring.

The lining would probably have to come out before all that. Nothing is actually touching the crown of the bowl, but it would be a pain to try to work around. The lining is riveted in with round-headed steel rivets. You could replace them with decorative brass rivets if you wanted.

Best Regards,

Paul


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Brent E Hanner
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posted 02-09-2009 06:10 PM     Profile for Brent E Hanner   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
If you know any SCA fighters I'd love to hear what they have to say about it. Cause if its got the stength its a hard core score.
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Erik D. Schmid
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Member # 59

posted 02-11-2009 12:45 PM     Profile for Erik D. Schmid   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
There has been quite a bit of confusion as of late concerning GDFB. Here is an update on their status:

There have been a few myths in re-enactment circles about “Get Dressed For Battle”. To clarify, all items under this brand have been developed by A Plaisance and Patrick Duval from www.medievae.com and a few other renowned historians exclusively
for IHTS (Indian Handicrafts & Textiles Syndicate), who own the brands registered under MadridProtocol for Europe and under
USPTO for the United States. All the products are manufactured by them in their own factory and generate employment for more
than 150 employees. IHTS has spent a lot of time and money in developing historically accurate armours, maille and weapons for
full contact re-enactment under this brand.

Currently you can source high quality original GDFB items either directly from Historical Reproductions GmbH in Germany
who are distributors for GDFB items in Europe and sell through their website www.gdfbglobal.com or you can source them
from our dealer in the UK Viking Designs Limited (Mercia Sveiter) www.re-enactment.com

We are no longer supplying getdressedforbattle Limited UK original “GDFB” re-enactment goods.

[ 02-11-2009: Message edited by: Erik D. Schmid ]


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Paul Kenworthy
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posted 02-12-2009 06:11 AM     Profile for Paul Kenworthy     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Brent E Hanner:
If you know any SCA fighters I'd love to hear what they have to say about it. Cause if its got the stength its a hard core score.

Hi Brent,

I'm not really in the SCA loop, but I know some people who are. I'll ask around and see if they know if the helmets have passed muster there.

Personally, I think my helmet could take quite a beating except for one thing: the visor don't latch closed, so there is the possibility of it being raised by a blow from below.

Best Regards,

Paul


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Paul Kenworthy
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Member # 3808

posted 02-12-2009 06:24 AM     Profile for Paul Kenworthy     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Erik D. Schmid:
[B]There has been quite a bit of confusion as of late concerning GDFB. Here is an update on their status:...

Eric,

Thank you for the information. Do you have any information on what CAS Iberia is selling under the GDFB brand name in the US? Is that the current line from IHTS just like in Germany and the UK? My helmet shipped from CAS Iberia and they seem to have most items in stock.

Best Regards,

Paul


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Erik D. Schmid
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Member # 59

posted 02-12-2009 01:30 PM     Profile for Erik D. Schmid   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Hey Paul,

Yes, CAS Iberia sells the current line from IHTS.

Cheers,
E


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