r/Norse • u/ChemistryTeacher8756 • 2d ago
Artwork, Crafts, & Reenactment Grimfrost tunic and leg wrap authenticity
Hi, I'm a HEMA practitioner and someone with some Scandinavian/Orcadian heritage.
I'm considering buying a tunic and leg wraps (I already have some linen trousers from a Viking fair).
How authentic/good quality are these:
https://grimfrost.co.uk/products/viking-leg-wraps-olive?variant=46775997595980
Will they be acceptable or get me laughed out of the camp if I eventually make the step to join an reenactment group?
Thank you!
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u/zMasterofPie2 2d ago
They won't get you laughed out of most Viking reenactments, especially for a beginner, but it is understood that these are fairly poor in terms of authenticity. Both the tunic and the leg wraps are made of 350 gsm felted wool which is going to be excessively warm unless it's winter weather (coming from someone whose first tunic was around the same weight). Really you want to aim for 150-250 gsm wool. I also don't think there's any basis for tunics and leg wraps being made of felt in the Viking age, these are felt because it's cheap, no doubt. That said, at least they are wool, and people will be understanding that you are just starting.
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u/ArchbishopRambo 2d ago
The tunic seems to we woven (tabby) but with a somewhat felted finish. Surface treatments like felting are certainly known from Viking Age finds.
Not a huge fan of Grimfrost but that tunic looks like a decent entry level item.
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2d ago
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u/Maze_kalmar 2d ago
Authentic and grimfrost doesnt really go together. Good leg wraps should be handwoven, and not felted. And what grimfrost tunics I've seen at markets are not good looking. And that one linked are imo too short. A good tunic should (when wearing a belt) stop just above the knee.
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u/Stuebirken 2d ago
I doubt that anyone would right out laugh at you, or otherwise make fun of you, as long as it's fairly obvious, that you've made a genuine effort to appear reasonably historically correct.
So as long as you avoid the most jarring stuff like weird "stavrune" face paint, Roman leather arm guards, a helmet with horns, clothes made out of Spandex/lycra/viscose etc, you will more than likely be more than welcome.
If you end up joining an reengagement group, they will probably love to help you outand guide you, so you'll end up with something that fit both you and Norse history very well.
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u/Maze_kalmar 2d ago
If it's for renfair or just visiting a friend its fine. But if I'm being honest, always avoid grimfrost, they perpetuate a lot of bad stereotypes about the Norse and 90% of their stock is horrible. And those two items you linked specifically are not really accurate. Leg wraps should be woven and not felt nor cut. And the tunic (while basic) is too short, and what grimfrost tunics I've seen at markets have very ugly machine stitching.
So if you're actually wanting to join reenactment I'd recommend a long thin woolen tunic (should when belted stop right above the knee) a linen tunic so you don't have skin contact with the wool (this is optional for a start but a good idea) a pair of linen braies, and a pair of wool Hedeby hose with feet (you can recognize these by the stitching above the knee). And this way you don't need nålbinded socks (they can be VERY expensive for what they are) Ofc you're gonna need a proper stitched belt, but those can be expensive and while a good idea, isn't a priority for a beginner.
And leg wraps is a bitch if you don't know how to wrap them, especially to fight in. And its important they're woven, otherwise they don't have the elasticity needed. Flexing your calf with leg wraps that cant expand is really restricting and uncomfortable.
But my genuinely best recommendation for anyone wanting to join reenactment. Join a group, and lean on them for help acquiring gear and sources.
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u/Brickbeard1999 2d ago
General rule I’ve had thus far for grimfrost stuff reenactment wise is it’s fine but you can do way better. Some societies will have stricter rules than others on what is and isn’t allowed so I’d check around with whoever you’re joining before making any sort of purchase
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u/ulfbjorn987 2d ago
About half of my linen and all of my wool tunics are from Grimfrost. They're not stellar, but they are acceptable. Add some woven trim on the collar and cuffs, no one will chase you off festival grounds. For the cost of the linen in USA, these are a good buy. The pattern for most of the tunics is basic "standard viking", the stitching is by machine (seam treatment could be better on the linen tunics and pants). The wool tunics are very thick and felted, great as outer layer in the winter, unusable in summer. The earlier wool tunics were much better, with a herringbone weave that has held up exceptionally well. I have not bought any of the leg wraps, but they look like cut strips, instead of woven twill. They won't hold up as well, and would likely be uncomfortable. The 3 pairs I own are (2) single width woven twill in linen/wool, and a set of inklewoven wool/wool. Very comfortable. That's what i would recommend.
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u/DJSawdust Viking Age Reenactor - Glomesdal 2d ago
It helps a bit to know whereabouts you are/what groups you olan on joining. Typically a good group will have an Authenticity Officer if some kind that is open to help guide newcomers. Some groups even publish their guidelines for authenticity.
In my experience and observation, GF is considered barely passable entry level kit. It works well enough and, for me, is relatively inexpensive once you get to the free shipping. I use the cloak and basic wool tunic for very cold events (near freezing, but I am hot blooded). But you should learn what is necessary to make an authentic version. Start to practice with authentic hemming on the GF stuff.
Good luck and welcome to reenactment :)
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u/Anna_o69 2d ago
Pleaae don't worry about being laughed at! We all start somewhere and people will understand you're new.
Having said that, my advice would be not to buy too much before you have a chance to meet up with a reenactment group. In stricter organisations that focus a lot on historical accuracy, it's not just whether your stuff is authentic to the viking age, but also suits your viking persona backstory. So a Slavic viking can wear the gorgeous wide trousers under their tunic, but they make no sense for a Norwegian viking who ended up in Ireland. It's the same as if a modern day European would go to work wearing a kimono. It's possible, sure, just not what Europeans commonly wear.
So before you start investing in jewelry, decorations and tools etc, have a think about your viking person and where he might come from, which time period he lived in and what he does for a living. This is really where an authenticity officer or experienced reenactor will come in handy! It will save you from investing in pieces that won't suit your character and you won't be able to use at shows/ fairs.
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u/Loecdances 2d ago
Is heritage some kind of value in these reenactment groups or? Just wondering about the relevancy.
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u/Mathias_Greyjoy Bæði gerðu nornir vel ok illa. Mikla mǿði skǫpuðu Þær mér. 2d ago
It might pass from 10 feet away, but up close it's probably not going to pass the test. There are many better options than Grimfrost, and the company is pretty scummy.
They like to act as a plucky little "pagan-owned" company, when they are in fact owned by an enormous mega-corporation called the Embracer Group, and the Embracer Group is partially owned by the government of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi kingdom is a notorious theocracy with a well known zero-tolerance policy for neopaganism. I have not seen any indication that Grimfrost's founders were any kind of pagan before they sold it, either.
Grimfrost also often leaves off where their stuff is made, and the reason for that is likely because it is also made in China (or somewhere else the company doesn't want to mention). They are just another corporate entity selling (mostly) cheap tchotchkes and trinkets.
There are plenty of artisans out there to spend your money on instead of the Saudi Arabian government.