Penannular brooches and the like

**Brasilikilt** · 19th June 07, 03:10 PM

Hey All!

I just wanted to add the fact that it's very often that the small details/accessories makes a decent kit into a great kit, or vice versa.
I saw a guy wearing a nice plaide with a good looking shirt, but thought the guy looked rather silly on account of the stupid dyed peacock feathers stuck in his cap!!

Of course a brooch versus a bodkin is in many cases inconsequential, but it feels good knowing that you're doing the little things (and saving money) to do it right.

**Woodsheal** · 19th June 07, 03:44 PM

Well said, Brasilikilt...!

Where'd you find that bone bodkin? I'd like to get another, as a back up. Here's mine (2 3/4" in length):

**Brasilikilt** · 19th June 07, 10:38 PM

Hey Brian

It was an auction that sold on E-bay for $20

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-Nautical...QQcmdZViewItem

There is another which is similar listed right now

Hope this helps

**Hachiman** · 21st June 07, 05:11 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

That's the point. We ARE talking about this in the context of historic reenactment, are we not? ...*snip*...
If one is going through the trouble of assembling an historic outfit from a past century, then make it as "historic" as possible. Otherwise, it just becomes silly and "Halloweenish". Kind of like the SCA...!

As the person who instigated this thread, I just thought I'd mention that I am a member of the SCA in Australia, and the reason I wanted to know about penannulars and bodkins was that I wanted an historically accurate method of fixing a great kilt at the shoulder.

I'll go looking for a bodkin and suggest to my SCA fellows that they do the same.

Thanks guys!

Cheers

Hachiman

**PiobBear** · 21st June 07, 10:14 PM

I wonder where I can get a piece of bone thick enough to chuck in the lathe....

**Woodsheal** · 22nd June 07, 03:29 AM

These are vent pick for flintlock guns, but they make nice little bodkins, too:

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(jiz...um=PICK-VENT-2

**GlassMan** · 22nd June 07, 10:13 AM

Well if absolute historical accuracy is the aim, then sounds like a bodkin is the way to go.

**JRB** · 22nd June 07, 02:24 PM

Brian, are there historical examples of bodkins longer than a couple of inches? I had a blacksmith make me a bodkin several years ago and it is quite long (maybe 7.5"). Is that entirely outside of historic perameters?
If so it would be easy to take to my shop and grind down to a more suitable size.

**Woodsheal** · 22nd June 07, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by GlassMan

Well if absolute historical accuracy is the aim, then sounds like a bodkin is the way to go.

But, not the only way to go! if you generally wear a waistcoat, doublet, or jacket with your period garb, and you're worried about poking holes in it, you can go with the "button and loop" method - also historically correct.

Sew a small loop of fabric at the center point of the top edge of your plaid. Sew a button on to the top of the left shoulder of your jacket or waistcoat (halfway between your neck and the point of your shoulder, and a little towards the front works best.)
When you don your plaid and stand up, the loop will be hanging in the middle of the mass of fabric hanging behind you. Grab it, pull it up, button it on, and you're all set...!

**Woodsheal** · 22nd June 07, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by JRB

Brian, are there historical examples of bodkins longer than a couple of inches? I had a blacksmith make me a bodkin several years ago and it is quite long (maybe 7.5"). Is that entirely outside of historic perameters?
If so it would be easy to take to my shop and grind down to a more suitable size.

I don't know if it's historically too long, but it seems practically too long. I used a longer pin for awhile - about 5 inches - and I was constantly catching things on it (like my sword hilt), and stabbing my hand...!