02-10-2004, 03:49 AM
I bought one of the RGZM balteus, actually from Rusty, a little while ago.<br>
<br>
Yes, it is a ton of wieght. It's nearly impossible to keep the danged thing from sliding down from your navel area down to your ankles while walking around, armored or not. My currently modifications include:<br>
<br>
taking off the danged Apron straps in the first place - junk!<br>
I ground down flat the Pugio frog disks(thanks to a friend's help), which have that scalloped-domed-whichever motif repeated on every single plate and button.... Anyways, griding them down makes them look halfway descent, and is slightly theraputic. I suppose you could also snap off those disks entirely and replace with better ones, salvage the frog frame<br>
<br>
I've had to remove 2-3 belt plates and shorten the length for lil-ol-me, which cut down on weight too.<br>
<br>
I moved some of the plates around, after removing the few, so that the buckle stays near towards my front right hip, so I can actually grab it, instead of it being on my back, and I can access the Pugio without "chasing my own tail"<br>
<br>
As for the Apron - I'm doing without for the moment. I just got some of the Herculaneum apron plates from Albion. Once I get the apron straps made, I'll attatch them to the exisiting belt.<br>
Yes, I know it's not the greatest idea, but it's all I have to work with and afford at the moment....So I'd suggest grinding down the domed parts on the frogs and if you really feel adventurous, go and grind down the apron buttons...and properly attatch the apron straps to the belt while you're at it.<br>
What you could do too is shorten the legnth of the apron straps themselves - that'd surely shave down a bit of weight. (they don't need to be 3 feet long ya know)<br>
<br>
I agree that Deepeeka should offer individual plates and components. I think the buckle off of that belt is probably the only good part!
<br>
valete<br>
ANDY <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Yes, it is a ton of wieght. It's nearly impossible to keep the danged thing from sliding down from your navel area down to your ankles while walking around, armored or not. My currently modifications include:<br>
<br>
taking off the danged Apron straps in the first place - junk!<br>
I ground down flat the Pugio frog disks(thanks to a friend's help), which have that scalloped-domed-whichever motif repeated on every single plate and button.... Anyways, griding them down makes them look halfway descent, and is slightly theraputic. I suppose you could also snap off those disks entirely and replace with better ones, salvage the frog frame<br>
<br>
I've had to remove 2-3 belt plates and shorten the length for lil-ol-me, which cut down on weight too.<br>
<br>
I moved some of the plates around, after removing the few, so that the buckle stays near towards my front right hip, so I can actually grab it, instead of it being on my back, and I can access the Pugio without "chasing my own tail"<br>
<br>
As for the Apron - I'm doing without for the moment. I just got some of the Herculaneum apron plates from Albion. Once I get the apron straps made, I'll attatch them to the exisiting belt.<br>
Yes, I know it's not the greatest idea, but it's all I have to work with and afford at the moment....So I'd suggest grinding down the domed parts on the frogs and if you really feel adventurous, go and grind down the apron buttons...and properly attatch the apron straps to the belt while you're at it.<br>
What you could do too is shorten the legnth of the apron straps themselves - that'd surely shave down a bit of weight. (they don't need to be 3 feet long ya know)<br>
<br>
I agree that Deepeeka should offer individual plates and components. I think the buckle off of that belt is probably the only good part!
<br>valete<br>
ANDY <p></p><i></i>
