07-21-2007, 04:22 PM
Hello,
The least expensive method to obtain a reasonable gladius I have seen, and I am slowly trying to do it, is on Matt Amt's site. It involves converting an "Atlanta Cutlery" Qama, into a gladius. These cost about $40. The most difficult part thus far has been removing the rivets which were VERY hard stuff indeed.
Many elements of the rest of the kit can be obtained very reasonably as well if you have the mind and will to do it yourself. I had to look around, but I eventually found a local wood supply store that sold 1/8 inch plywood. One 4'x8' board (which they cut for free for me), $20, makes two shields. Directions on Matt's site again, but basically all you need is a tree, some glue and some rope. A shield boss was available a couple of months ago from King's lance on ebay. He has many issues with a lot of his stuff, but the umbo he offers is pretty good (although too many wholes), and brass, and $20.
The clothes are dirt simple, again easy direction's on Matt's site.
Caligae and the pila are the most difficult parts. Gets easier if you are an auxilia and only need a lancea which is much more common. Depeeka makes a descent pair of caligae, but they need some modification. The pila is harder still but can be obtained from various vendors again listed on Matt's site.
The balteus is the most tricky, but still obtainable. Matt's site offers many ideas on this as well.
All totalled it is about $50 for the sword, $30 for the shield, and about $10 for the clothes. Now a helmet will run you $100, The caligae will run you $50, the Pila will run you $75, and the balteus will run you about $1 per inch of belt at least. So even here you are looking at about $350 for the full kit. Although you might be able to save more money on these last items depending on your skill set available. The pila becomes $25 if it is a lancea. The caligae are $10 if you can sew them yourself. The Balteus is also cheaper if you cut and incise your own designs on the plates.
Best wishes.
Michael
The least expensive method to obtain a reasonable gladius I have seen, and I am slowly trying to do it, is on Matt Amt's site. It involves converting an "Atlanta Cutlery" Qama, into a gladius. These cost about $40. The most difficult part thus far has been removing the rivets which were VERY hard stuff indeed.
Many elements of the rest of the kit can be obtained very reasonably as well if you have the mind and will to do it yourself. I had to look around, but I eventually found a local wood supply store that sold 1/8 inch plywood. One 4'x8' board (which they cut for free for me), $20, makes two shields. Directions on Matt's site again, but basically all you need is a tree, some glue and some rope. A shield boss was available a couple of months ago from King's lance on ebay. He has many issues with a lot of his stuff, but the umbo he offers is pretty good (although too many wholes), and brass, and $20.
The clothes are dirt simple, again easy direction's on Matt's site.
Caligae and the pila are the most difficult parts. Gets easier if you are an auxilia and only need a lancea which is much more common. Depeeka makes a descent pair of caligae, but they need some modification. The pila is harder still but can be obtained from various vendors again listed on Matt's site.
The balteus is the most tricky, but still obtainable. Matt's site offers many ideas on this as well.
All totalled it is about $50 for the sword, $30 for the shield, and about $10 for the clothes. Now a helmet will run you $100, The caligae will run you $50, the Pila will run you $75, and the balteus will run you about $1 per inch of belt at least. So even here you are looking at about $350 for the full kit. Although you might be able to save more money on these last items depending on your skill set available. The pila becomes $25 if it is a lancea. The caligae are $10 if you can sew them yourself. The Balteus is also cheaper if you cut and incise your own designs on the plates.
Best wishes.
Michael
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Michael
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