Mando Mercs Costume Club

Mandalorian Armor => Alternative Era Armor => Crusader/Neo Crusader Armor => Topic started by: Sov on Feb 14, 2020, 11:25 AM

Title: Early Crusader Wip: Coming out of Retirement-Updates start on page 3.
Post by: Sov on Feb 14, 2020, 11:25 AM
So I have been slowly building an EC.

Chest Armor
(https://i.imgur.com/2N1Brmf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AtHgCZb.jpg)

Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip (Pic Heavy)
Post by: Borttrob on Feb 14, 2020, 04:54 PM
Looks good, I like it! :like:
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip (Pic Heavy)
Post by: Markan Kobi on Mar 12, 2020, 12:14 PM
My man, that vest is NICE.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip (Pic Heavy)
Post by: Sov on Mar 12, 2020, 12:59 PM
My man, that vest is NICE.
Thank you Markan

Here is a recent picture of it I added bondo and attempted to give it an aged bone look.

(https://i.imgur.com/hFXMHHH.jpg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip (Pic Heavy)
Post by: Ordeyn on Apr 04, 2020, 03:11 PM
This is looking AMAZING. :o :o :o Keep up the good work.
Title: E.C. Update
Post by: Sov on Jul 27, 2021, 02:29 PM
I back to working on this again. Mask is built and visor is cut and installed. Just have to assemble the head harness and paint it. Shoulders have been cut out and assembled just need to add some bicep straps. Flight suit is put together, just need to add some velcro for my knees. And knees have been made and painted. I will dump some photos on here in the next day or two.

To do list
Design and build vambraces

Questions
Are gaiters allowed for E.C.'s or are they too "modern"?
If I am planning on using a hooded robe and a balaclava do I need to make a cowl for my mask?
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update 07/29/2021 Pictures
Post by: Sov on Jul 29, 2021, 08:42 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/xDLjEI5.jpeg)
Mask still needs to be painted, not sure if I want to do it in a bronze, brass, or gun metal like my knees. Also I made a cowl for this you cant really see it in the picture though.

(https://i.imgur.com/n9WF81T.jpeg)
Here are my knees, one coat of primer, graphite powder, one coat of gloss black, more graphite powder, one coat clear gloss, and another application of graphite powder.

(https://i.imgur.com/tZNEXD6.jpeg)
Updated my chest armor some. I reworked the straps took about four off, and changed the strap color to black to add in a nice bit of contrast. As you can see the shoulders are not yet. I am having the same dilemma with them as my mask.

Thoughts, comments?
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures 07/29/2021
Post by: Odran Krayt on Jul 29, 2021, 09:21 PM
You might want to round out those ridges on the mask. I get what you are going for, but the sharp ridges still look like putty. If you sand those down and round them off, you can still keep the rough look without looking half baked.

Edit: those rivets on the visor may need covering too.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures 07/29/2021
Post by: Sov on Jul 30, 2021, 05:05 PM
You might want to round out those ridges on the mask. I get what you are going for, but the sharp ridges still look like putty. If you sand those down and round them off, you can still keep the rough look without looking half baked.

Edit: those rivets on the visor may need covering too.

Yeah I went for the full smooth or the mostly smooth look. I did "cover" the rivets after a fashion. Here is an updated picture of with a coat of filler primer.
(https://i.imgur.com/kGa5nE6.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures 07/30/2021
Post by: Odran Krayt on Jul 30, 2021, 07:38 PM
Yep, that looks good, probably try and do a fairly rough metal look, since it still looks hand forged in shape and smoothness, but looking good!
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures 08/02/2021
Post by: Sov on Aug 02, 2021, 02:03 PM
Hammered Copper paint laid down. Not sure if I want to give it a black wash or not. I am really digging it's current look.
(https://i.imgur.com/Xpa1OgS.jpeg)

Edit: Showed my wife a test piece I did with a blackwash. She said I should do that to the mask “It would give it more dimension.”
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures 08/02/2021
Post by: Kuyan Jai'galaar on Aug 02, 2021, 08:29 PM
Whoa that looks really good!  :like:

What copper paint did you use?
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures 08/02/2021
Post by: Sov on Aug 02, 2021, 08:32 PM
Whoa that look really good!  :like:

What copper paint did you use?

Thank you very much. I used Rustolieum Hammered Copper.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures 08/02/2021
Post by: Kuyan Jai'galaar on Aug 02, 2021, 08:37 PM
Oh, okay cool. And just to bug you with one more question, what primer did you use?
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures 08/02/2021
Post by: Sov on Aug 02, 2021, 08:45 PM
Oh, okay cool. And just to bug you with one more question, what primer did you use?

Same brand filler primer.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures
Post by: Sov on Aug 03, 2021, 01:37 PM
Mask aged and put together.
(https://i.imgur.com/BUTDyrr.jpeg)

Shoulders Painted and aged.
(https://i.imgur.com/ix66PZF.jpeg)

Knees painted and aged.
(https://i.imgur.com/xwY1gEM.jpeg)

This is how I made my knees and shoulders.

Find a good section of asphalt/pavement.
(https://i.imgur.com/GZrSpTC.jpeg)

Cut 3mm sintra to size/shape. Heat it up until it is super floppy.
(https://i.imgur.com/bIpDylu.jpeg)

While it is super floppy place it face down on to the pavement and step on it making sure you get good pressure over the the entire piece.
(https://i.imgur.com/MNuNd6b.jpeg)

Prime it and let it dry for a good lone time.
(https://i.imgur.com/E5Mm7wN.jpeg)

Once dry apply your paint of choice for my armor I used hammered copper, because added texture. Let that dry completely.
(https://i.imgur.com/L9xjltn.jpeg)

Then coat the piece in acrylic black paint.
(https://i.imgur.com/dW0HPqT.jpeg)

Once you have it coated take a rag or sponge and gently wipe away the excess paint.
(https://i.imgur.com/NY9nmxK.jpeg)

Reapply the black as needed to achieve your desired results.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip
Post by: Sov on Aug 13, 2021, 03:44 AM
Finished up my sword the other day.
(https://i.imgur.com/p00BOPT.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures Page 2: Mostly kitted up 08/18/21
Post by: Sov on Aug 18, 2021, 11:10 AM
Hood Up
(https://i.imgur.com/f8eVIdD.jpeg)

Hood Down
(https://i.imgur.com/fIbPTYq.jpeg)

Need to finish wait sash,  I want to add some velcro for closing, it is just held in place by the leather belt. I need to finish my vambraces, and figure out how I am going to sheath the sword I made (back or hip). Lastly I need to attach the breathing hoses.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures Page 2 Mostly kitted up 08/18/21
Post by: Odran Krayt on Aug 18, 2021, 10:25 PM
Looking really good! I'd recommend doing both physical and color weathering on all your soft parts, though, as most of the cloth looks crisp and new at the moment, I've found a gravel patch and your feet do wonders for making soft goods look lived in, especially for your early crusader, as the image tends to be more rough and used than the later higher tech kits of the modern era. I think some surface dirt and breaking down that crisp new look with some wrinkles and tears would really pull the look together that you are aiming for.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures Page 2 10/29/2021
Post by: Sov on Oct 29, 2021, 11:50 PM
Remade my ab plate and added leather shoulders. Also finished my cod just have to add velcro for mounting it, and I added a fur kama. I am hoping to get some good pre-app pictures up this weekend seeing as it is Halloween.
(https://i.imgur.com/DbdwWN2.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/e2v6quw.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update Pictures Page 2 Full Kit 10/31/2021
Post by: Sov on Oct 31, 2021, 08:23 PM
I finished the last little things today and got fully kitted up.
Things I am looking to change:
Swap cod out for loin cloth
Use thinner sash. This one in the pic is for my modern kit, Grabbed the wrong one and just ran with it for the pictures and Halloween.


(https://i.imgur.com/8CxBUMe.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/r3MapCP.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9mfnNM9.jpeg)[
img]https://i.imgur.com/AJnYhgY.jpeg[/img]
(https://i.imgur.com/u78hyVZ.jpeg)
Title: Fix List from Pre-App
Post by: Sov on Nov 07, 2021, 09:56 PM
Got my fix list from the pre-app team today. Overall some of it is already fixed and some I have to figure out how to fix.
Fix list:
General:
-Make sure you take your photos where it is very well lit so that the pre-app and app team can look over the kit.
The Chest Area:

-Making sure the backplate leather is fixed so that there isn’t a noticeable gap in the back. Fixed
-The rivets should look more roughly hewn to match the armor a bit to mirror the rough metal texture on your armor and any soft parts
Not sure how I am going to alter those.....

Arms:
-Arm wraps for your arms.
Made

Lower body:
- The gaiters look manufactured and “modern” compared to the rest of the kit. Something to detract from lit, like fur accents, some hammered plate segments, or something, would make it more uniform.
Time to order some more leather and make some gaiters that match the rest of the armor.

Recommended suggestions:
Because of the nature of the EC looks, that the consensus is that your kit would benefit a lot from more bone pieces, claws, and/or spikes on your gear. It doesn’t have to be the entire kit, but you can get creative and add these features in sparse areas that need attention (the shins, the leather shoulders, the backplate.) It is not a huge requirement but more of a suggestion.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update 11/9/2021
Post by: Sov on Nov 09, 2021, 11:57 PM
Removed or hid all of the rivets on the chest plate. Fixed the gap issue, and added back mount system for my sword. Need to hide the rivets on the back still but I am this much closer.
(https://i.imgur.com/myHKj3V.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7IygCFL.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vd1uhA5.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AqhZjw7.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update 11/15/2021 Shin Armor
Post by: Sov on Nov 15, 2021, 04:29 PM
Made my shin armor today. Hopefully the next few days will be nice enough to paint.
(https://i.imgur.com/xf0DKK5.jpeg)
Title: Upgrades, fixes, full kit pre-app photos.
Post by: Sov on Dec 10, 2021, 12:43 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/fwJWdlc.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/HanMpg9.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lhKNHAa.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/LlOkjIF.jpeg)

Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update 12/10/2021 Pre-app photos page 2
Post by: J'Khara Vontess on Dec 11, 2021, 07:22 PM
I really love this build and have been letting an eye on it for a while.

I really like seeing an EC that uses the other acceptable materials for the armor (leather/hammered metal) rather than bone. Bone may be the most common seen in the club, but it's not the only way to do it.

I would also like to point out that though bone/spike adornments are "highly recommended" according to the CRL, highly recommended is not the same as "required." Again, on this topic, this kit is good as is.b plus, the bone handle sword helps meet that recommendation.

Speaking of the bone sword, because many creatures can a have that particular bone, I do not think it violates gore clause. Plus, the black covering for the handle helps hide most of the bone and I think that helps tone down any concern in regards to gore.

Another not, weathering is also not required in the CRLs on any kit in any era. Hammered armor is a construction style and not "damage."

A few things that may need to be addressed before applying is that there needs to be some separation between the kama and loin; they overlap on the left side. The other thing is that the metal shoulder pieces need to sit at the same height. Try to tuck the back of the flight suit into the waist a bit more so that it doesn't appear to bunch up in the back.

Overall, really great work. Looking forward to seeing this approved vod.

Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Update 12/10/2021 Pre-app photos page 2
Post by: Sov on Dec 13, 2021, 06:37 AM
I really love this build and have been letting an eye on it for a while.

I really like seeing an EC that uses the other acceptable materials for the armor (leather/hammered metal) rather than bone. Bone may be the most common seen in the club, but it's not the only way to do it.

I would also like to point out that though bone/spike adornments are "highly recommended" according to the CRL, highly recommended is not the same as "required." Again, on this topic, this kit is good as is.b plus, the bone handle sword helps meet that recommendation.

Speaking of the bone sword, because many creatures can a have that particular bone, I do not think it violates gore clause. Plus, the black covering for the handle helps hide most of the bone and I think that helps tone down any concern in regards to gore.

Another not, weathering is also not required in the CRLs on any kit in any era. Hammered armor is a construction style and not "damage."

A few things that may need to be addressed before applying is that there needs to be some separation between the kama and loin; they overlap on the left side. The other thing is that the metal shoulder pieces need to sit at the same height. Try to tuck the back of the flight suit into the waist a bit more so that it doesn't appear to bunch up in the back.

Overall, really great work. Looking forward to seeing this approved vod.

J'Khara
Thank you so much. Most of the issues you brought up Kama/Loin, shoulder and flight suit bulge are all results of kitting up solo.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Upgrades Page 2 1/8/2022
Post by: Sov on Jan 08, 2022, 05:54 PM
I had some time and plenty of left over 9oz leather from another project to make some upgrades to my chest and waist rigs.
(https://i.imgur.com/5ocB1Ot.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xSV9Hzg.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YV5en1X.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7dBiL2T.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/J1xP86L.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Upgrades page 2 1/8/2022
Post by: Kurshi BeJahaal on Jan 13, 2022, 06:31 PM
I love these new updates. Everything is looking awesome, man!
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Approved1/20/2022
Post by: Sov on Jan 20, 2022, 03:26 PM
Just got my approval letter today!
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Approved1/20/2022
Post by: Ordeyn on Apr 14, 2022, 10:54 PM
Just got my approval letter today!

 :porg2: :porg2: :porg2:

AND YOU DESERVE IT, BROTHER!

I am 100% stealing the hammered metal look with the melting and smashing into pavement technique. :laugh: Brilliant. :boba:
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Approved1/20/2022
Post by: Sov on Apr 16, 2022, 07:18 AM
:porg2: :porg2: :porg2:

AND YOU DESERVE IT, BROTHER!

I am 100% stealing the hammered metal look with the melting and smashing into pavement technique. :laugh: Brilliant. :boba:

Thank you!
Are you starting an EC?
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Approved! 1/20/2022 Coming out of Retirement
Post by: Sov on May 04, 2023, 08:49 AM
So personally, I feel as if my leather craft skills have improved a lot over this last year and a half. There I have decided to upgrade my kit from the top down. I also gained roughly 40 lbs and my old one does not really fit me anymore.  :laugh: I will be salvaging parts from my old kit, but for the most part this is a complete remodel.

(https://i.imgur.com/NHhx3kh.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kHiYrpB.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/aVuXWNY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/v65sBHW.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/B8iuS3m.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Approved! 1/20/2022 Coming out of Retirement
Post by: Karl Dha'Werda on May 04, 2023, 12:09 PM
I will be salvaging parts from my old kit, but for the most part this is a complete remodel.

That is good to salvage from your original kit as some of the worn parts look great for an EC kit.  Don't want your leather work too refined for this era.
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Coming out of Retirement-Updates start on page 3.
Post by: Sov on May 06, 2023, 02:42 PM
Finished my new pauldrons this weekend.
(https://i.imgur.com/uqaOiH4.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EOiLYov.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vyWRJAO.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Coming out of Retirement-Updates start on page 3.
Post by: Sov on May 09, 2023, 08:43 PM
I made a cod piece for the new kit, sadly it did not work with the other belt so I made a new belt too.
 (https://i.imgur.com/erZSa16.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Coming out of Retirement-Updates start on page 3.
Post by: Sov on May 15, 2023, 10:50 AM
Did a test fit this morning. I am not in love with my knees and shins....I wonder if I should make a set of greaves (shnee style) and attach my plates to them. I know I need to add belt keepers for the ab plate straps.

(https://i.imgur.com/02Soidk.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/DyeIcTM.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/OoKD3Sh.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Coming out of Retirement-Updates start on page 3.
Post by: Sov on Jun 02, 2023, 05:32 PM
Added the hammered metal to my Chest and gauntlets
(https://i.imgur.com/CaMbRDO.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/tdzsLGh.jpeg)
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Coming out of Retirement-Updates start on page 3.
Post by: Kurshi BeJahaal on Jun 04, 2023, 10:11 AM
I am in awe of your work.  :o

This will be incredible to watch this update happen. Let’s goooo!
Title: Re: Early Crusader Wip: Coming out of Retirement-Updates start on page 3.
Post by: Sov on Jun 05, 2023, 12:57 PM
I am in awe of your work.  :o

This will be incredible to watch this update happen. Let’s goooo!

Thank you Kurshi

New flight Suit and test fit. I know I need to add/get gloves. I did this test fit solo.
(https://i.imgur.com/QbyQ1Pg.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/A5CsPwb.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/N4bVnr6.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/jM04Gty.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/41OFHf1.jpeg)