CHINESE ARMOUR - your guide to
making it, buying it or improvising

This is your guide to protective body armour for sword fighting. Make it yourself or purchase it. I'll build this section, over the coming months, with my best tips to save you time and make it both authentic and serviceable.

EASY TO MAKE CHINESE ARMOR FOR THE DO-IT-YOURSELFERS
Look for these pages soon, in the Chinese Swords Guide:

• Make your own gambeson
• Make your own tasset
• Make hardened leather greaves
• Build a helmet suspension system
• Make an arming cap

HELMETS FOR SWORDPLAY
A helmet is one of the first pieces of protective body equipment you will need. There are simple solutions in ready made helmets for sports. If you need one quickly or inexpensively, they are a good idea. There is also the option of a custom made, and of course, more expensive, Chinese helm. Look for pages on the following in the weeks to come:

• Ready made helmets
• Custom helmets
• Adjusting a helmet for comfort and fit
• Historical Manchu helmets

OTHER PROTECTION FOR SWORDSMANSHIP
I have been through a fairly painful search for servicable sword fighting gloves. Perhaps, this guide will save you bruises and broken fingers. I'll tell you about the best gloves I've found for different purposes. I'll also give you some hints on easy to find sports equipment that will do the job until you can make or purchase the armor you really want.

Look for pages on:

Terracotta warriors.

• Quick solutions from the local sports department
• The swordfighting glove guide
• What to wear on your feet
• Arms and elbows, shins and knees
• Necks and shoulders
• What you need to train with steel
• Shields

ANCIENT CHINESE ARMOUR

• Shang Dynasty Protection
• Qin Dynasty battle gear
• Han Dynasty Armor
• Tang Dynasty body protection
• Ming Dynasty warrior wear
• Qing Dynasty Dingjia Armor
• Military symbols on the armour of ancient china
• War horse armor

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