Frequently
Asked Questions
How do I ...
...check on the status of an order?
...add measurements or color choices, specify
"runes", need by" date, etc.
...place and International order?
...obtain a
wholesale/distributor account?
Where can I find ...
...examples of your basic color choices?
...your credits, or list of projects that you've
worked on?
Why doesn't ...
your shopping cart allow me to add choices necessary to complete
my order?
Who is ...
Schmitthenner?
What is ...
...the type of machine you use to cut your
scale and lamellar plates?
...a "touchmark" or
"maker's mark?"
...a "crafting
queue"?
...the best way to contact you
about my order?
..."Cuirbouille"?
When is ...
... my order arriving?
How do I check on the status of my order?
As we have outlined on our "Ordering" and "Policies" pages,
MOST orders are
crafted in the order in which they are placed. See our "Ordering" page to view
our current crafting queue. While items are in this queue, there may be no
update of your order available. As our crafting queue runs in cycles your
particular order will not be assessed until it moves to the immediate crafting
stage. If any problems or questions occur in the crafting process, we should be
notified immediately. If there are any immediate problems or issues with your
order, we will resolve them as quickly as possible to avoid any unnecessary
delays in shipment.
How do I add measurements, color choices, specify
"runes", need by" date, etc?
We are the process of implementing the drop-down menus to add the numerous
variations available, although this will take some time (see our "Neck" page).
If you ordered item(s) do not have this option, a page during
the check out process should allow for an
"optional note" This is where to put any information that will assist us in customizing your order. If, for some reason you have missed this or it is not
present, please notify us of your choices by email at your earliest convenience,
citing you order. We will make sure the appropriate applications are notated.
How do I place an International order?
Please contact us by email at
medievalarmorer@yahoo.com and
outline the items you would like to order. Our shopping cart system is ONLY
set up for domestic orders. Once we receive your inquiry via email we will respond with a quote for
shipping and options for ordering.
How do I contact a customer service respresentative?
We handcraft all of our
items and VERY often pull all available staff to the Armoury to assist in crafting
orders. In addition, different time zones or work schedules may cause difficulty
for contact. You may wish to use our "Contact Me!" form to get sure fire service.
How do I obtain a
wholesale/distributor account?
To qualify for discount distributor pricing in The
Schmitthenner Armoury merchandise, customers must have
either a retail storefront business or a retail website
selling, at least in part LARP, SCA or related
historical oriented merchandise. The minimum initial
order for new accounts is $1000.00 before shipping.
Discount levels range from 5% to 25% off purchases
depending on the volume of merchandise purchased. For
further details please contact us via email:
medievalarmorer@yahoo.com
Where can I find examples of your basic color choices?
Color Samples
Leather hides vary in tannage and this can effect the end
result of any leather order. We normally use a variety of 7/8, 8/10, 10/12 and
13/15 oz leather for our products. In general, the 7/8 oz leather has the
greatest difference of shade in comparison to the others. Below we have matched
7/8 oz leather and 10/12 oz leather to show the average comparison depending on
what is termed "LARP" grade and "Armor Grade" leather and how the color will
likely differ between the two. Lighter colors can also be achieved.
7/8 oz leather is shown on the left, 10/12 oz on the right.
Shown are exactly the same dye shade used on two different weights
of leather. Some colors have little or no difference in shade, a few have
decidedly different shades as the final color due to the variation on tannage of
the hides.
Yellow Tan Tan Med Brown Dark Brown
Light Green
Dark Green
Blue
Purple
Red
Oxblood
Black
Where can I find your list of credits or projects that
you've worked on?
Here
Why doesn't your shopping cart allow me to add
choices necessary to complete my order?
It is a process which we have begun to undertake, however it will be ongoing
as we continue to upgrade and add choices to our items. If you cannot add the
options during the checkout process you can send a quick follow-up email to us at
medievalarmorer@yahoo.com We will
be sure to notate your order. For items that do have choices available we tried
to ensure that during the checkout process you will be afforded the opportunity
to include an "optional note". This is where you would include your preferences.
Who is "Schmitthenner?"
We have set up a page dedicated to the description of the Coat of Arms and
the story behind the name here
explaining the
relevance to this company.
What is "Cuirbouille?"
"Cuirbouille" leather may be found under a number of different
spellings, but comes from the term cuir (leather) and bouille
(boiled-both from the French). Leather has the ability to be hardened when
subjected to heat, many times using boiling water or wax. This is a
delicate process but if done correctly, it hardens the
leather to near-wood hardness. Some companies
misrepresent the cuirbouille method by merely soaking
their leather in warm water to soften it. Then they
shape it and let it dry. This is NOT "Cuirbouille"
hardening. If these types of products are subjected to any significant degree of
humidity or water they will lose their shape and subsequently, their
protectiveness.
What is the best way to
contact you regarding my order?
We are a small company that hand crafts
most orders. This means we often use ALL available
personnel in the shop to assist with fashioning our armour. If you are unable to contact us by phone, we
urge you to send an email regarding your concerns so we
can address them in an orderly manner.
What is a "crafting queue"?
The verb "queue" means to form a line, and to wait
for services. Queue is also the name of this line. As we
receive orders, they are placed in a revolving "crafting
queue". It is referred to this way because it cycles
from one area of the production area to the next. In
other words, we may be crafting "arms" one week", "legs"
the next week, "cuirasses" for 1-2 weeks, and so on.
This is the only way we can normally have some type of
control over the turnaround time for orders. Since we
handcraft most of our items to custom
meaurements and to order, this can become a very
delicate system and can be thrown completely into
disarray by interruption or unforeseen
circumstances. This is why we must charge much more for
"rush" orders (see our "Policies" page regarding
Crafting times and Production dates).
What is a "touchmark" or
"maker's mark"?
A "touchmark", or "maker's mark" was originally named
for
a small stamp, usually found on pewter, that may
indicate the name or symbol of the master pewterer, his
city, or the pewter’s purity. This has come to cover a
number of similar symbols of a craftsman's work,
including but not limited to blacksmithing, pottery,
artwork and so on. Many times armourers did not mark
their work, especially if it was specifically for
battle. We place our maker's mark on many of our items,
as long as it can be placed in a relatively
inconspicuous location.
What is the type of machine you use to cut your
scale and lamellar plates?
We have used this leather cutting device since we
began business. It provides consistant and beautifully
unique pieces and has never broken down in 26 years.
Here is a detailed schematic:
This machine is not for sale nor do we know where one
like it is available anywhere.
When is my order arriving?
See "How do I check the status of my order?" (above) and our "Ordering" page.
If the time shown on the "Ordering" page has elapsed and you have not
received your order, it is likely that the item is being upgraded and this
upgrade is being passed on to you at no additional cost. Let us know if you have
not received your item yet and what free improvements are being made or if you
would like you order shipped immediately without them.
Copyright © 1999-2009 The Schmitthenner Armoury. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/04/10.
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