CUSTOMIZATION AND DIY FOR COSTUMES AND PROPS
Dye your clothes to match your house colours or repaint a mask red instead of the standard black. The possibilities are limitless! Larpers are amongst some of the most creative people on the planet. We love seeing how Epic gear has been modified and changed to fit unique characters and concepts!
If you're looking for inspiration on how to upgrade and customize your Epic Armoury gear, we've collected a sample of video guides and pictures submitted by fellows Larpers around the globe.
We are always updating this section, so make sure to check back often--and submit a link of your own ideas by tagging @EpicArmoury on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #ByLarpersForLarpers.
Disclaimer: Please note that by modifying your Epic Armoury gear, the warranty is void.
METAL
In this video AstroKerrie shows us how to modify our RFB Breastplate using simple tools and techniques. She made this for her character at the Swordcraft LARP. Tools used: Rotary tool with a cutting disk, file for removing the sharp burrs, and tape and a marker for marking the template. Materials used: A piece of Leather, decorative rivets and leather dye. Video created by Astrokerrie
In this tutorial video, Zan shows us how to paint and weather a steel helmet from Epic Armoury. These are some very useful tricks for costume designers, reenactors, LARPers and cosplayers. Take a plain steel helmet and make it a one-of-a-kind centerpiece for a medieval or fantasy kit. Tools: Scrub brush, paint brush, sponge, heat gun, (Optional) Battle Axe Materials: Epic Armoury Crusader Helmet (epicarmoury.com), degreasing dish soap, paper towels, flat black spray paint, acrylic paint, matte clear coat spray Video created by Fell & Fair.
Fabian and Ane take you on a Journey to show you, how to make your chainmail look worn and rusted. This video is a thorough runthrough of the thoughts and ideas of how Rust looks on a chainmail and some of the thoughts that goes into creating a battleworn look.
When you receive your helmet bought on epicarmoury.com, it will come wrapped in plastic and with a protective layer of oil on the metal to prevent rust. We recommend wiping it off with a clean cloth before use. Once you have done this, you're ready to use the provided foam paddings to adjust the helmet's fit. Don't throw the foam paddings out! They might come in handy!
Its dangerous out there on the battlefield! Make sure you are properly equipped. Having the proper armour can make all the difference in how much comfortable and effective a character is. The Fell & Fair team talks you through how we choose what armour to wear and why. These are great tips for any Cosplay, LARP, film or theater project. All gear comes from Epic Armoury and the Items Used in this video are: 1. Imperial Gambeson 2. Bazuband 3. Viking Armour 4. Viking Armand Leg Protection 5. Raven Helmet 6. Kettle Helmet 7. Viking Sword 100cm 8. Halbard 9. Oval Scutum Shield 10. RFB Large Shield Wood.
Foam, Latex and Plastic
Want to know how to repaint your Epic Armoury shield, and create your own awesome custom piece? Now is your chance. In this video Zan from Fell and Fair (and his helper) walks you through the simple steps of cleaning and repainting your shield from Epic Armoury. Tools used: Degreasing soap / Dish Soap, Scrub brush, Paint brush, Blow-dryer, Latex or Nitrile Gloves, and paper and pencil Materials used: Epic Armoury shield, Exterior latex paint primer or Acrylic paint mixed with latex, Water, Leather stain, Satin or flat sealant Video created by Fell & Fair.
Want to know how to repaint your Epic Armoury foam sword for LARP and cosplay to create your own awesome custom piece? Zan from Fell and Fair walks you through the simple steps of cleaning and repainting your sword handle in this short DIY tutorial. Materials and tools: Paint Brush, Foam Brush, Rub 'n Buff - Silver and Black, Silver Leaf Paint, Sharpie Marker, Zombie Dirt - Black, Latex Paint - Black, Viking Sword PU, or other Hybrid, Stronghold or Vanguard sword model from Epic Armoury.
Want to know how to repaint your Epic Armoury foam sword for LARP and cosplay to create your own awesome custom piece? Zan from Fell and Fair walks you through the simple steps of cleaning and repainting your sword handle in this short DIY tutorial. Materials and tools: Paint Brush, Foam Brush, Rub 'n Buff - Silver and Black, Silver Leaf Paint, Sharpie Marker, Zombie Dirt - Black, Latex Paint - Black, Viking Sword PU, or other Hybrid, Stronghold or Vanguard sword model from Epic Armoury.
Have you ever wanted to add details to your prop skeletons? Fear not! Joel is here to give you a thorough walkthrough of how you can do interesting weathering and detailing on plastic skeletons, using our own "Skeleton Full Size" as an example. Tools used: Woodstain, painters brush, heat pistol, blowdryer. Materials used: Epic Armoury Full Skeleton, plastic.
LEATHER
No one wants to look like they just came from the armor store! Get a realistic, worn, medieval look by weathering your leather armor. The Fell & Fair team shows you some simple steps that anyone can do to weather leather armor! Material and tools used: Leather Gauntlet Right Brown, Sandpaper, Paint brush, Leather antiquing gel, Black paint, Knife or Scalpel, Latex gloves, Paper Towels, White paint. Video created by Fell & Fair.
Sometimes both armour and thinking need to be outside the box! Could your armour do with a few mountables, but lacks the required holes. Drill them yourself! Does it look too new and polished for the character you are about to play? Slice and dice! Would it be fitting with a slightly different colour scheme to emphasise your background story? Brush it up! The possibilities are endless. Look at this example, where one of our product designers, Gabriele, modifies Epic Armoury's Shoulder Armour from stalwart to ruinous!
TEXTILE
Learn how to weather your costume and clothing for LARP, reenactment, theatre, film or cosplay. Ane from Epic Armoury HQ goes through what she does, when she has to roughen up cloth and fabric in order to give them a natural look. We hope to provide some useful tips, tricks and inspiration as to how it could be done in this short tutorial!
Francesca and Gabriele show how to dye your clothes so they look used, with a technique often used in the movie industry called "dripping". Materials and tools: Spray bottle with water, Sponge, Brush, Leather dye (alcohol based) or dilluted acryclic paint, Wash bottle.
MAKE-UP
In this tutorial, Anders shows you how to fit, glue and remove Epic Effect latex prosthetic ears. Prosthetic ears are a fun SFX accessory to upgrade your Halloween, LARP or fantasy costume. Epic Armoury's prosthetic range includes a variety of products in various skin colours, including; elf, halfling and orc ears, as well as noses, brows, horns, teeth, cheek and half face prosthetics.