Some questions:

Are leather scabbards acceptable for all classes of portrayals for 14th - 15th century (say English) men at arms, or only some, or none ...

If leather of some sort is acceptable, would anyone be willing to give me examples of what they believe to be ok, and what is not?

I know some people are not happy about 'dissing' specific companies - but I need specifics. E.g. I have a Lutel sword that has a nice looking and (I believe) fairly authentic belt, suspension system and leather scabbard.

I also have a Starfire made leather scabbard that I use for transporting my one sharp sword in. It is heavy leather, stitched at the back - you know the type. Arms and Armor has scabbards similar to these available - are these acceptable for a portrayal if I can find some authentic suspension system/belt?

Thanks for your thoughts.

I have no problem "dissing" items!

Lutel Scabbards & belts are pretty, but lose the crappy rivets and the buckles. Buy a buckle and strap end from HE, Studbuckle, Gaukler, Billy & Charlie or someone else that makes decent buckles and sew the straps to attach the buckle.

Starfire - need pics, but you might be able to adapt it. I think there's another thread here-abouts that discusses suspensions.

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Yes, I have been wanting to replace the buckle on the Lutel Belt - the one at the waist at least - the ones in the suspension system seem not too bad.

I'm having a belt made by Tritonworks and hope to have him ship me an extra period buckle. He gets his from a place called London Accessories, I think.

The Starfire scabbard is pretty much like the ones at Arms&Armor - check out the one for the Henry V sword (I have a suspicion I might get this sword for Christmas ) at http://www.armor.com/2000/catalog/item075.html - not too good a picture, but you should get the idea.
Anyway - back to the topic - from the Lutel belt to change the buckle, I should remove the rivets, swap buckles, then stitch the belt back together?

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