Seems like what HEMA really needs is a fencing mask designed closer to a historical close helm, back of head protection, throat protection and mesh all in the same mask
For the one fencing class I've been able to take I just wore a scarf under the collar of the fencing jacket and mask bib. Adequate for epee and rapier but almost definitely inadequate for longsword, saber, etc. unless you're willing to take the risk.
Glad you posted this. Was curious how comfortable this gorget would actually be. Sounds like it was a good design concept just not implemented as well as it could have been. Hopefully they take reviews and criticism into account and release an improved version, possibly offering length options for different conformations. Thanks for an excellent first impressions/initial review vid. Very thoroughly and impartially presented as always. Look forward to hearing the update after you give it the complete test run as well as your personal yay or nay. Personally, being of a thick but compact build much like yourself I don't think it would work for me. Shame since I was really hoping it would turn out more size adaptable ever since I first heard about it when Dave Rawlings first previewed it in one of his vids. Cheers
My main issue with this gorget is that I cannot look over my shoulder. The sides don't compress, and the gorget doesn't turn with your neck, so in order to adopt a sabre stance, you have to force your chin over the tall edge. There's also the fact that a Red Dragon gorget is less than half the price, and substantially more comfortable.
I just tuck my bib under the jacket. Plenty of padding for the soft parts of the throat and no point can ever slip through there. And I can look around freely without being inhibited. Which in itself makes fencing safer I'd say.
I suspect the chest piece is actually a key part of the gorget's ability to protect the throat. In theory, at least, if you're struck in the throat, much of the impact force would transfer through the rivets and overlaps and into that chest piece instead of simply driving the struck lame back into your trachea. You can test this by pressing on one of upper lames and seeing if you can feel the pressure on your chest. Frankly, I think that while the implementation was poor, in this case, this style of gorget is far more suitable for HEMA than the others I've seen. Unfortunately, I don't know how it could work properly without a mask and jacket specifically designed to accommodate it ... which they really should be, IMO. A lot could be gained from using a full kit of gear designed from the ground up for armed martial arts practice, as this gorget was, so it's a shame manufacturers are still just slapping extra padding on top of Olympic fencing gear and calling it a day.
Shouldn't it go over the jacket's collar ? The plate with the groves displacing thrusts will never be utilized like this. Any hard plates should be worn over a material, me thinks. No real gorget would go straight on the skin. Or is it too small to fit over the collar ?
Strange design choice i must say, if so, it should at least have some padding in places where it makes contact, as it is now its more of a hindrance than something useful.
eh, i don't know if no padding at all is a good thing... i mean it seems kinda uncomfortable to me just wearing it, like all the plastic is rubbing against the neck, i can't imagine a direct blow to it...
Looks like the upper part of a late 14th century cuirass fused with the neck of a 16th century close helm.
Seems like what HEMA really needs is a fencing mask designed closer to a historical close helm, back of head protection, throat protection and mesh all in the same mask
For the one fencing class I've been able to take I just wore a scarf under the collar of the fencing jacket and mask bib. Adequate for epee and rapier but almost definitely inadequate for longsword, saber, etc. unless you're willing to take the risk.
Glad you posted this. Was curious how comfortable this gorget would actually be. Sounds like it was a good design concept just not implemented as well as it could have been. Hopefully they take reviews and criticism into account and release an improved version, possibly offering length options for different conformations. Thanks for an excellent first impressions/initial review vid. Very thoroughly and impartially presented as always. Look forward to hearing the update after you give it the complete test run as well as your personal yay or nay. Personally, being of a thick but compact build much like yourself I don't think it would work for me. Shame since I was really hoping it would turn out more size adaptable ever since I first heard about it when Dave Rawlings first previewed it in one of his vids. Cheers
My main issue with this gorget is that I cannot look over my shoulder. The sides don't compress, and the gorget doesn't turn with your neck, so in order to adopt a sabre stance, you have to force your chin over the tall edge. There's also the fact that a Red Dragon gorget is less than half the price, and substantially more comfortable.
I just tuck my bib under the jacket. Plenty of padding for the soft parts of the throat and no point can ever slip through there. And I can look around freely without being inhibited. Which in itself makes fencing safer I'd say.
Looks a bit stiff I think I'll stick to the cheap red dragon one, I actually really like how it feels.
wierd there is so less neck protectors whenn it is so risky gj any way
Your jacket needs help bro lol.. i am glad you can break these things in.
Not a bad idea... not fenced in years but i've lunged and got under the bib before and it's rather scary.
I suspect the chest piece is actually a key part of the gorget's ability to protect the throat. In theory, at least, if you're struck in the throat, much of the impact force would transfer through the rivets and overlaps and into that chest piece instead of simply driving the struck lame back into your trachea. You can test this by pressing on one of upper lames and seeing if you can feel the pressure on your chest.
Frankly, I think that while the implementation was poor, in this case, this style of gorget is far more suitable for HEMA than the others I've seen. Unfortunately, I don't know how it could work properly without a mask and jacket specifically designed to accommodate it ... which they really should be, IMO. A lot could be gained from using a full kit of gear designed from the ground up for armed martial arts practice, as this gorget was, so it's a shame manufacturers are still just slapping extra padding on top of Olympic fencing gear and calling it a day.
Marry the gorget to the inside front of the jacket and you can loose the elastic.
Shouldn't it go over the jacket's collar ? The plate with the groves displacing thrusts will never be utilized like this. Any hard plates should be worn over a material, me thinks. No real gorget would go straight on the skin. Or is it too small to fit over the collar ?
No, it has to go under, both for the size, and also to stop blades going underneath.
Strange design choice i must say, if so, it should at least have some padding in places where it makes contact, as it is now its more of a hindrance than something useful.
Knyght errant has a good vid concerning defense for the throat in real armor, i think it should be watched by the designer
eh, i don't know if no padding at all is a good thing... i mean it seems kinda uncomfortable to me just wearing it, like all the plastic is rubbing against the neck, i can't imagine a direct blow to it...
@01:37 WHAT?! How dare you. Landsknecht pride!
Not concerned with how our codpiece looks? Speak for yourself, sir!
おもしろかったです。
ハサミ耐性も、
あるんですかね？
日本の大学で、
大学教授が、ハサミで、
クビを、刺されたという、
事件が、
発生したので、
ゴジェットとか、
探して、おります。
I'll take it ... if you don't want it. Respond to me & I'll give you my address.
14 mins ... 😠