Vambraces!!

**druid** · 13th March 08, 10:10 PM

Some guys on here know I play paintball and my username is also my field name. Since I've played in both Black Watch and my digital MARPAT Kilts, I figured I'd continue the "look" by making these to match...lol.

A bit of history is that for some years now, I've dabbled in creating leather hunting accessories...knife sheaths, handgun holsters and possible bags for muzzleloading.

I just spent 20+ hours on them, everything done by hand. The longest (and most difficult) part was the sewing. Getting them in the proper arc of my forearm was a pain, even though I made patterns in cardboard.

The black outter layer is 10 oz leather and the brown accent pieces are 16 oz leather. There are 2 inner layers on each Bracer for padding/anti-chaffing and each of these layers are 6-8 oz upholstery-grade leather.

I was going to harden them into true "armor" by submerging them in boiling water but I decided they are too nice to risk the dyes bleeding into each other. Instead, I'll rub some conditioner into them and then a final layer of wax to protect them.

Before:

After:

Stitching:

Triquetras:

On my arm:

The final step was the lace. I chose a cotton bootlace because it's directly against the underside of my forearm. I used a long, hollow bead as a lace "cinch."

They fit perfectly and are really really comfy!

Now, all i need to do is get out onto the field...lol.

**Marshal Moroni** · 14th March 08, 12:34 AM

Very cool and nicely doen leather work. Would it be right to call these greeves?

Marshal Moroni

**druid** · 14th March 08, 12:57 AM

Thanks!.........but humbly I say, no. These are Vambraces...or "Bracers" for short.

Greaves are shin guards...which are next to be made, by the way...lol.