Collecting and Caring for Leather Armor

Whether you're looking for a working suit of leather armor for medieval re-enactment, or you're simply a collector looking for a suit of leather armor to decorate your home or office, there's a few tricks for finding the best quality for the lowest price. Leather armor also needs regular upkeep and care to keep it looking like new, including regular cleaning and oiling. Armor actually used for re-enactment will need more care than a display piece, but both share some basic upkeep requirements.

The first step is to find the right leather armor. More care needs to be taken when buying leather armor to wear than when buying display pieces. If possible, try on the various pieces of leather armor you're looking to buy, and take measurements of the appropriate areas of the body so you can buy a suit that fits well. Quality also matters. If using leather armor for re-enactment combat, it will need to be thick enough and sturdy enough to protect the wearer. Extensive carving or other decorative touches can weaken the leather. Most re-enactment groups have specific requirements for the thickness and coverage of the leather armor, so check with the group you're intending to use the armor with before purchasing.

If buying leather armor simply for decoration or display, or even wearing as a costume and not in combat, thickness and safety are no longer priorities. Fit is still crucial if it's going to be used as a costume, but display pieces can be purchased simply on visual appeal alone. Quality is still important because badly made or low quality leather can age poorly and begin to crack or fade quickly, even with proper care. Try to buy from trusted and well-established leather armorers, instead of bargain leather workers who may give you a good deal but will sell you something that won't last, even as a display piece.

Leather armor should be cleaned as needed with saddle soap, and oiled with mink oil every 6 months. Always clean the leather before oiling in. It may require more frequent oiling if kept in dry or hot environment, or if used regularly. If the leather starts to become more rigid than normal, it needs to be oiled to avoid cracking. Once cracks have formed, there is little to stop the damage, and the piece will need to be replaced.

Replica Armor & Shields