RomanArmyTalk

Salvete omnes,

I found a place that actually produces hobnails with conical heads that are REALLY close to average Roman ones (e.g. those from Kalkreise) in shape and size (7mm dia, 5mm height, 9mm shank), but they haven't any in stock and have no immediate plans to produce more- unless they get an order for at least 100lbs of them. They come in 1lb boxes and that's enough nails for maybe two pair of caligae with one of the more 'nail intensive' patterns, with lots of spares left over. Their normal price is $19.80USD/ lb but will be less than that for a 100lb order- (although the actual cost isn't yet determined). Personally, I only need 3 or 4 lbs, so, although I know it's a long-shot, I thought I'd see if maybe there are enough of you out there who might want GOOD hobnails (and not have to make do with those faceted WWII or East German ones) to reach the magical 100lb mark.

The manufacturer is in the US, so I'd have them shipped to a friend there (or as short a distance as possible to keep the cost minimal) and we'd all pay our share of that cost, then he would partition them out and send each person's order on, postage as appropriate.

If you'd be interested, let me know how many pounds you'd want

Thanks.

Matt

Sure would be nice to get some good nails, that's for sure. I guess we should get in on an order.

Hey, Richard! Buy 10 pounds for Legio XX, okay? (When in charge, delegate!)

Valete,

Matthew

Sweet- that's 15% of what we need to get them made already

Put me down for 2 lbs

I reconsidered, and rather take 4 pounds.

I can't speak for sure for our group but I will post to them and ask..probably 10 pounds for us as well. Any chance of seeing a picture of them first?

Sure, here is a composite I made showing a real caliga sole with a nail at actual size, then a smaller window with nails from Kalkreise, again with a nail of the type available at the proper scale.

those do look good. I'll pass the pix on to the group.

Hi Matt,

do you know whether those nails would be forged or cast? The nails LePrevo sells are cast iron and really bad to work with ....

They're not cast- they're die forged and the shanks sheared- you can even hammer out the shanks to make them longer and pointier if you want.

Thanks, Matt! I'll ask around among my group here, though I suspect that with shipping & customs the cost will be too high ....

I don't know Martin- up to 5lbs costs only $20 for postage, and they could always be sent as a low-value 'gift' :wink:

Quote:up to 5lbs costs only $20 for postage, and they could always be sent as a low-value 'gift' :wink:

Put me down for 2lbs of low value gift. Thanks Matt.

I posted on this early yesterday right after Matt Amt but I've disappeared.
Still, I would be interested in a pound if it helps. I'll check with others in my group( Gaius Calvus, C.A. Crispus-are you out there???) to see if more are needed.

Cool- that puts us at 31/100 lbs now, after less than a day that's pretty good!