Hey there, it's Steve (Istvan), a new member to the aaf. I'm real keen to start making some armour for myself and the club, and I'm wanting to get an idea of what is and what isn't a good idea based on historical saxons/vikings. Stuff like horned helmets are obviously out (much to my dismay) but things like furs, boots, upper arm/leg guards would be things I suppose I'd like to make. Also at the first craft night I was at somebody mentioned how easy it'd be to break a nice woodenscabbard during a fight. Would wearing it slung across your back help? Is that historical?
Thanks guys

The people to talk about that kind of armour are Drew, Andrew and Micheal. They will able to make suggestions what you need to create the kind of armour etc you would like.

David Ilowski would also be a good source.

Scabbards can be broken during a fight. I'll think you find that unless there was a need to wear them, scabbards were removed before fighting. The only reasons I can see to wear a scabbard into combat is there was no time to prepare for combat or the sword was being carried as a secondary weapon.

I've got a period sword scabbard that does not go on a battlefield and a 'battle scabbard' that is just leather with no wooden core.

Maybe if you used a thick plastic core, it would survive battle (depending on your level of authenticity and practicality) and still look nice?

I don't believe having a sword strapped to your back will give you much street cred....

Sure, you can strap a sword to your back if you like. I'd like to see you try and draw it...

I need to drag you to Victor's place one time and throw his Osprey collection at you.

one point, Scabbards were worn in combat.
because where else would you keep your sharp sword whilst fighting with your spear. And/or throw your Javelins.
And they didn't need to have a wooden core. At least one of the scabards dug up in York was leather wrapped around a shipskin core, with the wool being saturated in Lanolin. More than would have occured naturally in the fleece, to protect the sword from rust.

And another point, osprey books are great if you ignore the colourful Cartoons.
I mean colour plates. They are artists impressions not accurate depictions. (Some are accurate, most are not.)
Just my 5 cents