lacing up the lorica segmantata

[Marcus Mummius]

Greetings,<br>
<br>
Is it best to lace up the girdle plates of a Corbridge lorica segmentata using a single long lace or several short laces, one for each two lacing loops?<br>
<br>
Thanks in advance,<br>
Marcus Mummius <p></p><i></i>

[scythius]

Quote:</em></strong><hr>Is it best to lace up the girdle plates of a Corbridge lorica segmentata using a single long lace or several short laces, one for each two lacing loops?<hr><br>
<br>
Ask yourself this - if your long single lace breaks, what happens to your armour?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<p>Scythius<br>
LEG IX HSPA - COH III EXPG - CEN I HIB<br>
<br>
- FIDELITAS - - VIRTUS - - MAGNANIMITAS - </p><i></i>

[Marcus Mummius]

I'm so stupid<br>
<br>
thanks! <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Yup, can't argue with that!<br>
<br>
Another tip which I've picked up from Matt Amt and other Romans:<br>
<br>
Tie your lacing "in half" on each of the girdle plates' loops down one side - that way you won't lose the lacing when you undo your armor, and you have two ends to thread, grab, pull, and tie together. It's wondefully simple and easy.<br>
<br>
I myself have found that when tying up, by knotting a "normal" knot, and then another normal knot ontop of that, but going in the opposite direction (Uh...I think that makes a square knot...Boy scout I am not ) Anyways, that way when you go to undo the armor, you just tug on one end of the tie, and it loosens the knot(s)<br>
(tying a shoestring like bow in leather tie is kinda hard..esspecially when you're in a hurry) and it provides enough "lock" so you won't have to worry about it coming undone when you don't want it to. I also have all the back girdle plates tied and knotted in the same manner, and they haven't come loose yet. (I use the "Vest" method of donning armor) - But use whichever method(s) you need and are comfortable with for putting on the armor. <p></p><i></i>

[Flavius Promotus]

You mean you use a slipknot ? I usually use a carrick bend to tie each pair of girdle loops together. Same effect: you can use one long lace but the loops are still tied together even if the lace gets cut at several places.<br>
I can imagine a slipknot can be opened more easily, though.<br>
<br>
One of my friends has a Corbrigde (I use a Newstead) which was originally equipped with one short lace for each pair of loops. After one week most of these short laces had been lost and he had to use one long lace like everybody else.<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>

[Hibernicus]

I've found that the rear lacings tied individually with square knots works exceptionaly well.<br>
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FRONT. Tie short lacings (9") to one side with a half hitch (or half a knot if you will,) about 1/3rd of the way along the length of the lacing.. draw one end through the oppostie tie loop and cinch together with another half hitch, finish with a half loop. half of a shoe lace tie... VERY secure.. very fast<br>
<br>
We've had competitions.. you ought to be able to don and lace up a seg in 30 seconds easy.<br>
<br>
Hibernicus <p></p><i></i>

[Crispvs]

By 'square knot', do you mean 'reef knot' (left over right and under, then right over left and under - Queen's Scout I am!)?<br>
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All of the loops on my lorica (Corbridge type 'A') are tied with short individual laces, both back and front. Each lace is tied at about a quarter of its length to one tie loop with a reef knot and then the long end is passed through the other tie loop and tied to the other (short) end of the lace with either another reef knot or a bow (a bow will come undone more easily when you want to take your armour off but will also untie accidentally more easily than a reef knot). I loose laces only occasionally (one to two per year at most) and that is usually when they are already quite worn. I have more trouble with worn laces on the front ties which break and eventually become so short they cannot be used and have to be replaced (two to three per year). I have only replaced one lace on the back of my lorica in the last six seasons. I only undo the back about three times per season, when I want to give my armour a really good cleaning.<br>
<br>
Crispvs <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

As I said I really don't know my knots, sorry.<br>
<br>
Sounds like Hibernicus uses the same method I do.<br>
<br>
But like I said, experiment and use whatever you like best.<br>
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As a side note, I also keep a coil of linen thread in my armor box (when I transport my kit), so if any leather on the inside stretches too much, or breaks, or just needs adjusting, I just cut a length of thread and tie it up. It's not terribly practical in some situations, but it's better than having a piece dangling off or in the wrong position (which can interfere with articulation)<br>
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Also good to have a few extra leather ties for the loops..Needless to say.<br>
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(jeeze those guys in maille/hammata armor have it so easy! ) <p></p><i></i>