Iron Mountain Armory Taisho armor review, 8 months of ownership (Custom Samurai Armor) 

Congrats! Post a link when you get it, would like to see what you got.

Thanks! I got some good close up photos and some "in action" video is on the list for spring!

@@SamuraiJames amazing ! i cant wait to see you in action :D

Yes, that extra 5-10 cm will help ensure a good fit. That bit of extra helps offset if you wear another layer of cloth underneath, gain a little weight, and even just for slight variance since it is made by hand. I would go 10cm extra since the overlap on the side of the Do gives some play in sizing.

Thank you! Wasn't happy with the video results from this week, should have something up next weekend.

Thank you, I spent a while debating on colors and patterns. What symbol on the back of the kabuto? Agreed on taisho vs gashira, I also have a gashira class prior to this and lots of small differences that add a lot of polish. Thanks for the tip on the kote too. I have some yugake/gloves on order and plan to tweak the slack in the loops after they arrive. Another factor was not tying to the watagami/shoulder straps, only laced at the armpits; I didn't have any help gearing up and it's awkward to pre-tie them with the o-sode since they are tied, not toggles too. I have some toggles on order to replace the kote upper ties with toggles instead, and found lots of historical examples of that.

In progress! Trying to get a good lighting set up for pictures / close ups. Hoping within a few weeks.

Thank you! Very happy with it.

Thank you! I've had different European armors for 25 years, whereas my first samurai armor was about 10 years ago. I'm working on some "Knight vs Samurai" comparison videos which will have my custom made 1450s Italian armor in it, along with this armor. I'm a fan of Metatron too, and have followed him for a few years. :)

Combination of 6 months out of armor, 1am filming, and lack of sleep (2 month old baby!) made me oblivious to the obvious. Tears, no idea, maybe lack of sleep, but I was fine. Absolutely right on the lighting! Recently moved and was in temporary space. I scrapped video I shot last week due to bad lighting. Today I got the unboxing environment set up at the new place, backdrop, lighting, and microphone. Working on close ups and overall pictures of the armor. Armoring up sequence is on my future video list for sure. Normally I tie the kote to the watagami, but need help and I geared up alone. The large o-sode are pre-tied to watagami in 2 places and the agemaki in the back. They are too difficult with one hand. I'm swapping the kote shoulder ties to toggles like the watagami/do so I can manage it alone. I'll tackle wakibiki in the next couple weeks, thanks for the suggestion on that.

Thank you, I appreciate it. The construction is good. I don't intend to fight in such a work of art, but Iron Mountain Armory does have a durability test video where they struck the armor with a few weapons. It held up well for those tests too.

@@SamuraiJames I was wondering how long your armor took to make and ship to you?? I'm only asking because I just order a set of armor and was wonder how long it could take. I can gather your was more custom then the one I ordered but I'm just wondering. Thats if your fine with talking about it. Thanks for your time.

When I ordered my armor, I also ordered the clothing for under it, the mail wakibiki (armpit proptectors), waraji sandals, and a sashimono banner too. I'm sure that added to the time. I bought back in 2019. I think it was 5 or 6 months total. For recent orders, they are really booked up now and taking longer than normal because of covid. They also had 2 weeks off for lunar new year last month. It is a bit of a wait but I am very happy with the armor, it is worth it, and very exciting. Congrats on your armor!

@@SamuraiJames I see I went with a kachi class mostly because I felt that I could upgrade it over time I know the gashira class are much nicer out of the box but ya life. Thanks for your time.

Yes there are a number of things you can upgrade a kachi class to gashira class later on. My first samurai armor was lower than kachi class (from eBay). I sold it for money towards a gashira class suit years later. Enjoy it and congrats!

The height of the do is correct. People often wear it hanging completely on their shoulders, which puts the weight in the wrong spot. I've worn it a dozen times and almost always have a second hand to gear up, but didn't this time. What is wrong with it though, is that the kusazuri are pulled up a bit when I put the obi on by myself. The haidate hanging down made it look worse. I'm generally filming alone with a tripod, and bought a full height mirror I can use to check myself before filming in future videos. :-)

A special yoroi hitatare is best but a regular hakama and juban shitagi also works fine. If the armor fits decent you don't need any padding.

Thank you!

I believe it's mild steel for this particular suit, possibly carbon steel (but not heat treated). They have a new tempering option now, and that uses heat treated carbon steel.

No, quite easy. Few small slits in the leather lining to access the inside, then unbending the tabs that hold them on. They pop out, then a little glue to hold the leather down again. They mount through existing odoshi hole, doesn't even leave an empty hole. Can't tell they were ever there without inspecting inside and looking for the access slits.

Wow that was a fast reply. Thank you. I've been driving myself wacky trying to figure out what my set will look like. I love Nathan's armour from Last Samurai, but $5K USD plus shipping to Canada is expensive. But for colours I think I've settled on black uzumaki with horizontally alternating purple and white lacing. Still gonna be a while, though.

I debated on style and colors for months too! Photoshopped a few different colors until I was happy and looked at historical artwork for ideas. Purple and white is a nice combo, and I like the uzumaki finish. The Last Samurai was a big draw for me too but I don't like the gold "ring" or circle designs all over it. I would take Katsumoto's armor instead of Algren's. My first samurai armor was ebay and I liked it for years until I realized how bad it was. My first European armor was also ebay and low quality, again happy for years until I learned how bad it was. Both were sold. Save for what you'll be happy with, it's a longer wait but you won't regret it.

I guess a big thing is what class of armour to go with. Gashira or Taisho? Would a gashira set with a taisho kabuto be noticeably different?

Are you ordering it in pieces? They normally come with a specific tier / class for the entire suit. I'll have gashira vs taisho comparison in upcoming video.

Your navel is your belly button. :-) It's two things: it wasn't tied tight enough and sagged down, and I forgot to do the straps that go around the thighs. My first samurai armor didn't have those straps and I tend to forget about them.

@@SamuraiJames ahh I see well nice review man cool that you're still responding to comments, didn't think you'd even see mine. Have a good day!

Thanks! I try to respond when I get a little time but sometimes I read on my phone and forget to reply. I appreciate the input. Have a good day too!