Home of the Sovereign Protectors

Hello all,

i'm already a 501st member, and I'm beginning my second costume, A Shadow Guard . before i purchase items for it though, i would like to run past you all/confirm that they are indeed the parts that i need so i'm not out a bunch of money and left holding useless junk.

for the Flight Suit, is it approvable to acquire a black "Redkap" classic automotive coverall and remove the pockets like the one below:

http://www.redkapautomotive.com/Products/453821

for the Black Gauntlet Gloves, would these work:

http://www.leathermystics.com/gauntlets/gauntlets.html

for the Belt, am i correct in assuming that it is the same as an officer's belt just without the little silver button to the side? if this is true, would i be able to get this from someone who makes officer belts, or is there a special "Shadow guard belt maker?"

For the Kama, can anyone get me a pattern or plan for making it? i should be able to find the materials necessary, i just would like to know the proper way to make it.

for the Officer Boots, would these work(check link):

http://www.amazon.com/CAP100-10-11-Blac ... asma+boots
or is there something better that i should go for?

I'm speaking to a couple armor/helmet makers, but the one piece that isn't made by any of them is the TK chest. are there any TK vendors that make single parts for purchase, or is this just something that i need to beg someone on the Legion boards for?

Also, when it comes to the Saberpike, how should it be scaled? im 6'1" tall, and from pictures, im thinking that the pike without the blade should be around 5'6." is this correct?


Thank you all For your input as i move forward with this project,
Jesse Rohrer

Your off to a great start on this build. There are a few shadowguards in your area that would be great to get feed back from and will be able to guide you well.

Everything looks fine so far.
You are right with the pike.
There are two makers of the full armor kit known by me.
virateck and KaminoCustoms.
I know its difficult to get a TK Chest alone.
Neither TM nor RS is selling one as far as i know.
Dont know of some vendors in the US where you can get them.

Bit of warning with that flight suit. I purchased the same model one and it arrived with extra hip pockets that are impossible to remove without messing up the whole pant leg. Might want to do some more digging. Otherwise I have the same gloves and boots. I love em.

I actually purchased a black flight suit. So there is that option

Where'd you find one of those without pockets?

The belt has been ordered. 100% committed now as the belt (without the silver stud), matches no other CRL to my knowledge.

Anybody got a pattern for the kama or suggestions as to how it's made? I was thinking a piece of elastic with the fabric sewn on so that I slip it on and the belt covers it up. Still need a pattern or something to go off of though.

Helmet, Shoulderbells, and Saberpike, will likely be next, as the gloves and boots aren't likely to disappear anytime soon, and I still can't find a brand of flight suit/coveralls that will work.

One more question for the future of this build. It isn't in the CRL, but would it be beneficial to have the TK shoulderstraps connecting the chest to the back when I make it? My thought is "if it's a TK chest, why wouldn't it be connected the same?" I'm not sure, I'm just looking for insight.

Thanks,
Jesse

The kama is made of the same material as the flight suit.
Just take some piece and cut it in the right length and form so it looks like a skirt with the front open.
Easiest way to wear it is to attach it to the belt with some velcro i think.

You can conect front and backplate with TK-Shoulder straps.
This part should still be covered by the helmet and thus could only be seen when you are
off helmet.

I went about making my kama roughly trapezoidal with chamfered edges. The chamfers are contestable as not many reference images show it, some do and some come to a 80-90 degree corner. For length, I felt belt-to-back-of-knee looked right for me. 1-4" above top of boot may be another way to size the length but then not everyone has the same length shins. Remember longer is better, hemming is easy, adding material is not. As for width, I took my waist measure and divided by 2; came to line up roughly a straight fall from the center of armpit. Might want a little wider than this so the kama is more visible from the front.
For the connection, I favor Velcro attached directly to the upper outside edge of the kama and to the inside of the belt so it never ride above or below should the belt slip or move.

How mine came out looking like flat. I'll be redoing this one to make one less the chamfers and in the appropriate material (initially I had it matched to the robes).
Hope this helps!