Acknowledgements:

I was hardly born able to make armor and here I would like to take a moment to thank everyone that has helped me learn the art form.

First I would like to thank my Father. It would seem I am descended from a rather long line of artisans. Though my father spends most of his time fixing broken electronics the mans ability to shape wood into function and beautiful pieces has always amazed me.

I would also like to bow to my Grandfather who died before I was one year old. Those who live in Milwaukee can see his art everyday. The stone eagles atop the Library were carved by him. (the copper wings by his friend, name unknown to me)

David Rath ( Captain Corydon Rathbone): This friend of mine has helped me in more ways then I will likely ever be able to repay. First he’s the one who showed me the SCA and how to make a wisby coat of plates from cheap upholstery leather and barrel plastic. He’s the one who uncovered the sprout so that it could grow, and offered it shelter during the worst storm it has known. He has been a great friend to match my eastern sword work with his traditional western sword work. My best sword fights have been with him. My Gratitude to him is beyond what I could speak and hard to show directly, he is a man who I know will raise great children.

Dennis Nedweski ( Viscount Sir Leif Hackonson known as Grayfox): This guy is the one responsible for teaching me to focus on leather as a medium. He taught in one of the best ways possible, gave me a book and let me see his projects both complete and incomplete, answered what questions I had to the best of his ability. Never trying to show off simply being himself and open. I could never have asked for a better guide. He has always been like an older brother to me (and like a younger brother don’t always listen) and in SCA land I’m his slacker squire. ;)

(inside joke folks)

John (Belrix of Blue Rose): though John never taught me directly, His amazing artistry in all the things he did has always inspired me to continue to advance my own skills.

Morgan Firecloud: Morgan Is another skilled leather Artisan. He has shared leather-dying techniques with me, which have helped me immensely, and even donated his supply of dyes to me when he moved back out to the golden state. Thanks man.

William: William is a retired sca fighter who has many years under his belt working with leather. William found my website and emailed me about my work. He shared with me his techniques for forming and hardening leather with boiling water, a technique that I hope to work with more often in future. (as soon as I make some new tools) Thanks William, if you read this email me I lost your address.

I would also like to thank all the armourers on the Armour Archive. They are always a great source of knowledge. Anyone seeking help on a project or just wanting to show off your handiwork, they’ll be glad to hear from ya. ;)

Lastly Thank you to all my customers, if it wasn’t for you I would not have been able to break free of a world completely unsuited for an artist/free thinker, and most human beings, Corporate America.

Joseph Janswig

Minamoto Akira