Gorgets

[Alan Abu Bakr]

Protection for the throat seems a good idea. To be on the safe side and, if it's safe (and non-painful) enough, perhaps to make hitting there an option (for the sake of accuracy).

What places are there, were you can get a gorget?
How much do the different gorgets differ? (Which are better/worse?)
Are any of them padded (on the inside of course)? That should be a good idea, right?

[Jeffrey Hull]

A gorget for practice-safety is a good idea.

If it fits well, and covers the throat well, then getting a gorget designed for SCA, whether of leather, steel or even plastic is fine -- a number of makers and vendors for that sport sell those.

I suppose you could have a gorget custom-made specifically for you if you do not like the off-the-shelf things.

Plus gorgets are so simple, you may even consider making it yourself.

[Jason Taylor]

Whether or not the throat is a target by the rules, the throat is a target. I'm thinking of pushing to require throat protection in all our study group sparring sessions. This is primarily because of my experience at the Gathering in which I took the end of a padded pike right on the button of the Adam's apple. The padding folded over and I took what amounted to a closet rod with 1/4" of open-cell pipe foam instead.

The shot wasn't aimed there--we'd already had one warning about throat hits, in fact. But wherever it was aimed, it ended up there. Accidents happen, and you'd better protect your throat. Ask Kim Cook what can happen in the worst-case scenario of a throat hit. Thrust me, it ain't pretty, and what she told me after I got socked there made me start shopping around for gorget options before I even left the Gathering.

So I guess my advice is, if you aren't already using throat protection, regardless of your rules....
BUY SOME DAMN THROAT PROTECTION.

Jason

[Alan Abu Bakr]

So I guess my advice is, if you aren't already using throat protection, regardless of your rules....
BUY SOME DAMN THROAT PROTECTION.

Well yes. That is the most important reason for why I want a gorget (and think it should be one of the required protective items for sparring).
...and also the reason I'm going to get some groin protection (not a likely area to get hit perhaps, but if it happens...), and headgear that will protect the back of my head.

But I would also like it, if the throat can be made a target.
You can hardly learn to protect the throat, if you never hit it, after all.

A friend of mine has trained a bit in naginata once. He has told me that when people from kendo and naginata fight (with the kendoka most likely losing), the thing that is most noticeable is how bad the kendoka are at denfending there legs, since the legs aren't a valid target in kendo.

[Alan Abu Bakr]

Sorry for bringing this thread back, but there is one question that wasn't answered, and it's been bugging me.

Are any of them padded (on the inside of course)? That should be a good idea, right?

...and if so, how should it be done.

[Brian Hunt]

some people use 1/4 inch close celled foam cut to shape and taped to the inside of the gorget. Another way is to sew yourself a stuffed cloth liner for your gorget and sew it to the gorget.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Kevin T. Crisalli]

http://www.revival.us/index.asp?PageAct ... ProdID=173

Cheapest gorget I know of. Can't give any recommendations as to how effective it is. They also have kendo/baton sparring helmets for a reasonable price.

[Ken Dietiker]

Looks kind of thin, stiff, and uncomfortable. Check this one out instead (top left)

http://thehockeyshop.com/catalog.php?Sc ... Neckguards

Not as cheap, but at $44.99 still within reason, plus it has better protection for the collar bones.

Ken

[Will Adamson]

Looks kind of thin, stiff, and uncomfortable. Check this one out instead (top left)

http://thehockeyshop.com/catalog.php?Sc ... Neckguards

Not as cheap, but at $44.99 still within reason, plus it has better protection for the collar bones.

Ken

Vaughn gear is really good, although you pay for it usually. I always found these things too hot to play a full game in, and that's on ice. I can imagine how hot they would be for any time of year outside of winter. The shots I've taken to the throat have been stopped well by the bib on my fencing mask. Without such a bib, and if a person really wanted that protection, the thinest solution would probably be best. A well used goalie clavicle protector from a used sporting goods store would be the way to go IMHO.


BTW Ken, that dent you put in my mask is still the only one I can't push out!

[Ken Dietiker]

Yeah, I'd think any extra gear is going to add a little heat to the workout, but then so would a full suit of armor or even just a gambeson. A metal gorget by itself would most likely be cooler, but also heavier and less flexible. Pros and cons. Cost vs function, and all that. You know the old saying; "better, faster, cheaper - pick two".

Hey Will, you walked into that one if I remember. Don't want people thinking I did that due to lack of control, you know. And the little dent you put in my mask (the one I walked into) I could probably push out too, but it looks cool and gives my mask that sort of broken-in feel. Battle scars, if you will.

BTW, ref. your helmet issue. You should also look into football helmets as they are more than just single-use impact resistant. Best are the college versions with the air pads for nicer fit, but make sure it has a large, line-man's type of face mask as it will be longer in the jaw. You could attach heavy screen to the bars of the mask to keep sword tips out, and cover the ear holes too since they are so large. I've seen some field hockey helmets modified like this having heavy screen attached with tie-wraps, though you could probably come up with something better looking and more functional. Tie wraps are just ugly.

Ken

[Will Adamson]

Yeah, I had thought of that too. I'm gonna lay off experimenting on my own and let him put his own money into it. Whatever he uses I think we're going to try to work some wrestling ear guards in if possible.

It's good to hear that you've got some folks to work with out there now. Bonus on Stew being nearby! Maybe I'll get out there again in the next couple of years.

[Jeremiah Backhaus]

Do you guys find that the helmets mess with your ringen am Schwert?

[Alan Abu Bakr]

The shots I've taken to the throat have been stopped well by the bib on my fencing mask.

Hmm...
Now that you mentioned that, I took a look at Brian Hunt's sparring helmet (which I intend to get), and it looks like it has a bit of neck protection.

How far down does it go Brian?
It might, after all, be rather silly, and superfluous, to have a (metal/plastic) gorget, if it is completly covered by the helmet.

[Brian Hunt]

Yes, my sparring helmets have a built in rigid gorget. Also, if someone wanted me to, I can make a gorget from either steel or plastic.

all the best.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Alan Abu Bakr]

Yes, my sparring helmets have a built in rigid gorget.

Yes but how far down does it go? Would it completely cover a normal gorget?