Craftsmen spent hours upon hours pouring their sweat, blood and time into the creation of tools used to protect, conquer and project the will of strong men to great heights. To this day even the everyman pays homage to this craft; however the focus has shifted to shine light on those who create weapons. A noble craft indeed, but we neglect those that focus on saving others, those that create armor or defensive tools.
How has armor fallen out of the limelight? When was it decided that the tool used to destroy was the far superior side of the coin? One could say that with the creation of firepower armor became obsolete, but then we still created Kevlar and other forms of bulletproof gears. Also, we still see those that purchase swords, knives, axes and other "old world" or forged weapons. So why not armors as well? Armor was a source of pride for owners, often displaying a family coat of arms, or an insignia of their lord, boasting beautiful designs and brilliant decorum.
I feel that this craft deserves to rise yet again, feel the honor it once did. An appreciation should again be felt for hand crafted armors, created with care and skill. A fighter is incomplete without his full apparel. How can once face a sword without the mail to stop a killing blow, or defend against treacherous hammering strikes without a proper helm to guard himself?
Even the collectors of today have trained their eye onto weaponry, forsaking armor. Unfortunately this leaves their collections lacking, for no collection can shine fully without a full set. Collecting weapons only can be said to be akin to buying a car without the engine, or a horse with no legs. The collector is missing out on the full picture, only taking care to notice the more media-fueled portions of the craft they pay homage to.
I would encourage any who count themselves among those who fight, whether it be in the ways of the old, or the ways of the new, to be the proud owner of his own armor. Take pride in it; allow it to house his soul just as he does so with his weapon. Even the collector should take care to flesh out his collection, painting the full picture of the art of war and not just a half vision. - 31404
How has armor fallen out of the limelight? When was it decided that the tool used to destroy was the far superior side of the coin? One could say that with the creation of firepower armor became obsolete, but then we still created Kevlar and other forms of bulletproof gears. Also, we still see those that purchase swords, knives, axes and other "old world" or forged weapons. So why not armors as well? Armor was a source of pride for owners, often displaying a family coat of arms, or an insignia of their lord, boasting beautiful designs and brilliant decorum.
I feel that this craft deserves to rise yet again, feel the honor it once did. An appreciation should again be felt for hand crafted armors, created with care and skill. A fighter is incomplete without his full apparel. How can once face a sword without the mail to stop a killing blow, or defend against treacherous hammering strikes without a proper helm to guard himself?
Even the collectors of today have trained their eye onto weaponry, forsaking armor. Unfortunately this leaves their collections lacking, for no collection can shine fully without a full set. Collecting weapons only can be said to be akin to buying a car without the engine, or a horse with no legs. The collector is missing out on the full picture, only taking care to notice the more media-fueled portions of the craft they pay homage to.
I would encourage any who count themselves among those who fight, whether it be in the ways of the old, or the ways of the new, to be the proud owner of his own armor. Take pride in it; allow it to house his soul just as he does so with his weapon. Even the collector should take care to flesh out his collection, painting the full picture of the art of war and not just a half vision. - 31404
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