Kult of Athena

System:  All Kult of Athena is a medieval department store!!!
What: Everything, but in this case a Hanwei Sword
Quality: *****
Selection: ****
Customer Service: *****

The Experience:   
First off, about the quality, it's all about the sword.  I ordered the Hanwei Banshee.  It's a Thai Dha, an awesome short sword, begs to be swung and cleave things.  That being said, it's a Hanwei and I researched the sword before I bought it.  They are a department store and I can't say everything they sell is great, I really don't know.  In this case you have to know what you are looking for.  They do sell SCA legal armor, but not all their armor is SCA legal.   Caveat Emptor as they say, they have a wide selection and I'm know some of it is significantly better than others.  That leads to selection.  Like I said it's a department store, if your looking for something specific they may or may not have it.  But the odds are good they have something similar.  It all comes down to knowing what you are buying.  Customer service was excellent.  The price on my sword was the lowest one I found for that weapon, with the exception of a used one on ebay.  I'll pay the extra $10 difference to get a new one vs used.  Aprroximately a week, from order to delivery,   This is definitely someplace I would order from again.


http://www.kultofathena.com/

Bokalo's Armory

System:  Primarily SCA can be used for any system that allows plate.
What: Metal Armor
Quality: ***
Selection: ****
Customer Service: ****



I don't have much experience with Bokalo but I have ordered from him in the past.  I've been told by others that as long as you order off the shelf he's just fine.  Since I haven't been in the market for custom work it didn't matter.  I ordered a couple of aluminum elbow and knee cops to get me started in the SCA.  They did the trick.  very basic, and delivered in a timely manner.  His prices are reasonable as well.  The kick on quality is because I haven't seen anything from him the was more than munitions grade.  So I really don't know on that, but I have no complaints on his work.


http://www.bokalosarmoury.com/

Fighting Videos.

This is just a general disclaimer and explanation of the fighting videos I posted.  First not videos apply to all games.  You are responsible for translation and interpretation of what can and cannot be used in your system, and what is and is not useful overall.  The majority of these are taken from European sword texts and represent actual combat techniques. While we all play some kind of medieval game, simulating combat, we aren't trying to actually hurt each other so not all techniques can or should be used.  Secondly  with the exception of game specific videos I only pull from European styles.  Yellow Fever is at epidemic levels in foam fighting.  Everyone coming into the game wants to be a ninja or a samurai, and is of the opinion that European fighting is nothing more than Conan type hack and slash.  These videos show the techniques, and if you watch you see how and why each one is used, pay attention to footwork, body mechanics, leverage, etc.  But mostly enjoy them and learn how to incorporate the concepts they teach into your own fighting style.

Soul Pads

System:  All
What: period esque tents.
Quality: *****
Selection: **
Customer Service: ****

I've been looking for a period tent, but ultimately settled on this.  It's not truly period, but it is generic and acceptable enough for the SCA which puts it a step above any foam fighting groups I know.  I ordered the 16 ft diameter tent with the attached floor.  Delivery was free and here in just over a week.  The whole thing rolled up is about the size of my weapon bag.  Its not too heavy, but not light.  As for quality the jury is still out on that.  I don't doubt it will live up to my expectations, but I've never had the chance to use one before so I'll wait an event or two until I comment on that.

So I finally set up my soul pad.  It was every bit as easy as described.  Stake it down, put up the center post, tighten the guy ropes.  It was easily in the 90's that day, and I had set up in full sun, so I could see how it was in the heat.  Opening the all 4 screens and the door was a must, but by doing that it was actually bearable inside.  A little warm, but I really didn't expect comfortable.  It was definitely cooler than I did expect though, which was the oven of your typical nylon tent.  Take down went even quicker, and I was able to get everything back in the bag it shipped with.  Even getting the largest size they had though it felt small.  I think thats because of how low the side walls are.  There was no shortage of room, rather the just a feel like there is less room, because towards the sides it feels cramped.

Went to my first event with the this tent.  Rakis in southern Colorado.  90 to 100 degrees during the day, 50's at night according to the weather forecast.  Performed like a dream.  Taking a nap in the middle of the day is a something I have never been able to do in a tent before.   My only complaint about this tent at all, is that it is overweight for a plane.  But that is something I will suffer gladly for a tent I can truly be comfortable in.

http://soulpad.com/sanctuary/

Foam and More

System:  All foam fighting systems
What: This is where I order MC foam for weapon making.
Quality: *****
Selection: ***
Customer Service: ****


This is where I go to order foam.  They have a huge selection, just about anything you could want.  But it is a wholesaler, so you need to know what you want.  They sell PE plank foam for shields, MC for swords, all in any density you could want.


http://www.foamandfoam.com/

House of Andar

What:  Boots

Quality:  *****
Selection:***
Service:*****

The Experience:  There is a long story about a pair of boots I bought from Regal Boots at the faire.   I won't repeat that story unless requested as I don't want to give him any more attention than necessary.    Suffice to say I found the experience to be completely miserable and was overcharged for the priviledge.  but I'm not here to talk about him.  I found the same pair of boots I got from him, at House of Andar for a third of the price.$119 vs $280.  This time I ordered these
http://www.dancestore.com/houseofandar/Mens-Black-Leather-Calf-High-Renaissance-Boots/productinfo/311-BK/
  It took approximately a week, from order to delivery, with two pair sitting on my doorstep.  They don't have many styles and only two colors.  If your looking for a tall boot, you'll notice that they all look the same, but the prices are different.  The pictures don't show it but there is a distinct difference in quality.  The more expensive boots are made with better leather, it's thicker and stiffer.   The cheaper boots feel more like a moccasin, while the others feel more like a real boot.  My first pair was the cheaper ones, that I paid  nearly $300 for from someone else.  They were a good boot, very comfortable.  If you need arch support like I do, you might want an insert  but thats about it.  If you are hard on boots, I am very hard on boot, spend the money on the better ones, or get the low top boots which are also the thicker leather.  If you are just looking for something to walk around in, and complete your outfit, the cheaper pair are still an awesome boot.  For hardcore fighting though, the tougher the better.

http://www.dancestore.com/houseofandar/See-Our-Boots/products/89/