Rue’s last MMP thread turned briefly to a discussion of chainmail–both Lissla Lissar and I make the stuff. Lissla deman–er, suggested that I start a thread to lure in other armorers so everyone could talk shop.
So, what type of armor do you make? What style do you use? What’s your current project? Do you have any tips or resources you’d like to share with your fellow armorers?
I’m currently making a European-style unwelded chain hauberk, using 16 gauge steel wire. The slowest part is making the links.
I’m doing a 14th century arm harness. I’m still working the bugs out of my patterns though. I completed a test run a few days ago, so I’ll be adjusting the patterns as necessary and finishing the final pieces in a few weeks. (har har har)
Also just completed a short-sleeve hauberk. (butted)
I justed looked up Worthco’s site. Bedamned if I ever make my own links again–their rings are way cheaper than my time. I may stick with the jump rings, though, since the split rings are very obviously anachronistic. Still…have you used the split rings before? Are they easy to work with?
AoErat, the way I’ve been making links has been hand-spooling the wire around an aluminum rod, then snipping them. Each batch is about 100 links, and takes about 10 minutes, but the links aren’t very clean. That means I lose some time to cleaning up snags and such. I suppose that when I’m in practice, it takes about the same amount of time to link them together as it does to make them. It doesn’t seem that way, though–linking requires less effort than spooling and cutting. Unfortunately, I’m a rather big guy, so it takes lots of quarter-inch links to make a hauberk for me.
I got started because I had a roommate back in college who knew how to make chain armor… Sorta… He didn’t really like doing it and so didn’t. I got him to show me, though, and I used to sit there while playing Dungeons and Dragons and make stuff… I haven’t done it in a while, though… I keep thinking about starting again…
Okay, to clear up a misconception- I don’t make armour, I make jewelry. Mr. Lissar makes armour (butted mail, mostly European 4-in-1 or 6-in-1). I only do Japanese so far- I am sternly resisting the temptation to learn European, because it looks complicated.
Besides, I usually work in 4mm links, which would be a pain to do E. pattern in. And besides, I only learned a week or so ago. Mr. Lissar’s been doing this stuff for years.
Right now I’m working on a bunch of complicated necklaces, and wondering if it’s physically possible to do Japanese in 3 or 2.5 mm links, and Mr. Lissar’s working on a shirt for himself (16 gauge wire, E. 4-in-1, 5/16 inch) and a bunch of belts and things.
They emphasize the 4-in-1 pattern, which is what I use, but the last link has lots of other patterns, too. Oddly enough, none of the how-to pages make their 4-in-1 quite the way I do–they all start with 5-ring groups and make chains out of them by adding rings, then link them to other chains by adding more rings. I start with triplet groups that I link into a chain, and then weave the chains directly together into a patch. Still, it looks like their way works pretty well. It may just be a little more difficult when starting out.
I’ve just started working on armor, and have decided to begin with a hardened leather kit. At the moment, I am about to finish some scaled leather arms (waiting on rivets and buckles to arrive), and worked on and finished my first real project- a set of leather half-gauntlets - this weekend. I’m basically experimenting a lot- using different methods of cutting, shaping, hardening, and dying, so that when i start on bigger stuff, it’ll turn out nice.
will move on to mail once I finish this leather suit.
btw- any of the armorers here also fight? that’s my primary reason for doing it.
-stonebow
aka Jocelin FitzHugh de Rouen
Barony of Small grey Bear
I’m not SCA, but I fight in the IFGS. We use much lighter, gentler weapons, so actual armor is not only unnecessary, it’s a liability. We usually represent it with a patch and use it in scoring. Our emphasis is all on speed, reach, and maneuverability. Also, our games often involve hiking for miles, something I’m not inclined to do in chain.
The only time any of us wear real armor is to bar games or faires, when it’s just part of the costume.
I’m not an armourer, but I’m living with one who makes the stuff.
We went to Oregon Leather last weekend where we found a nice chunk of cow to remake his leather armour. He also needs new gauntlets, legs, gorget, etc. (He has a gorgeous helm with Norse bronzework and since everything else has fallen apart, we need to start afresh) We need to cast/etch some bronzework for the finished armour as well.
I just started doing chain jewellery and have been wrapping/sawing my links. Thank you so much for that jump ring link because that’s going to save me a lot of time!
The Art of Chainmail link I included above also has secondary links to a lot of ring suppliers (assuming you’re talking about the Worth link, Gulo). They’re way more expensive on steel links, but they have a lot of different metals available, including titanium and gold. That might be useful if you’re doing jewelry.
Mr. Lissar and I are going to try to get some of our things put on consignment at a shop this afternoon, and I’ll pick up some exra links while we’re down there. So, I’ll soon let everyone know if you can do J. 4-in-1 with extremely small links.
I’m currently working on a late 15th Century kit that is modeled after a halberdier display in the Royal Museum of Spain. Thus far, I have completed a set of stainless steel, 15th Century Milanese arms, with floating articulation using leathers as opposed to points (for easier arming up). I’ve also finished a stainless gorget and am finishing a set of pauldrons. I’ve also started construction on a 15th Century Brigandine, which I am constructing out of hunter green leather and a few hundred galvanized plates (galvanized is closer to the tinning process used in that time period than stainless is). Next month, I hope to begin work on my new helm, which will be a bevored morion. I can’t wait to start it!
Whoah. When do you find the time for all that, Woeg? I take it that it’s all for your own use; are you SCA, or do you just like the full-costume route for Faires and such?
