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Post by Artelmis on Jul 7, 2012 3:02:48 GMT
So, I'm working on my outfit and honestly, i'm really not feeling a whole chain vest. Partially because I don't really want to have to wear an entire suit of metal underneath my leather tunic, but also because it'll be a lot more expensive.
So, basically I'm trying to find some CHEAP, decent looking mail sleeves that I can attach to my ravenswood ranger tunic with grommet straps. I have a roughly 25-26 inch sleeve.
I checked a few sites but couldn't find standalone sleeves. just the whole suit.
thoughts appreciated
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Post by MEversbergII on Jul 8, 2012 19:43:02 GMT
I know KoA has some outfits that come complete with sleeves, and no torso/leg chain. Maybe canabalize one of those?
M.
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Post by 14thforsaken on Jul 8, 2012 20:16:38 GMT
If you plan on using just chain arms, I'd consider attaching them to a thicker leather tunic, like a breastplate. That or attach them to an arming coat and get a brigandine vest or leather lamellar . It's still lighter and would give better protection. You can try Get Dressed For Battle's website. I know they sell some have sleeves with mittens, they would go up to your elbow. You could also get some of their chain mail squares and piece together sleeves from them or if you're really adventurous, you get a set of the leather chausses and modify them for use as sleeves. The pre-made 8" squares are probably the easiest way to go as long as you're comfortable connecting them.
I'm actually going to use some of the pre made squares to turn my chausses into full leggings one of these days. I keep spending my fun money on custom swords.
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Post by Artelmis on Jul 8, 2012 22:39:15 GMT
Honestly I'm looking for ultralight mail. preferably aluminum or something. I'd be able to attach that easily enough.
I was hoping that some stores sold just sleeves... but i'll probably have to get a full shirt and just deal with it. not going to risk damaging the mail trying to fit it onto sleeves that may or may not work.
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Post by 14thforsaken on Jul 8, 2012 22:42:30 GMT
If you're looking for ultra-light mail, try looking at ringmesh. It's $400 or so for a long sleeve hauberk but it's light as can be. Several members of the board have some. Can't remember who all right off but you could probably post a topic asking for people who nave it and what their experiences with it are.
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Jul 8, 2012 23:37:48 GMT
RIngmesh rock! Look here: www.ringmesh.com/ChainMail_Shirts_and_Vests_s/25.htmPros: Really really light. Really really comfortable. You can wear it all day and not even notice you have it on. No joke. Looks really really cool. I call it elven chainmail (old D&D geek here ) or Mithrall maille (for the Middle Earth geeks). Cons: Does not look even remotely like historical maille, even if you squint. If historical accuracy is your goal forget Ringmesh. Don't even click on the link above. Not as expensive as some maille out there but is not cheap. If you are not concerned about historical accuracy and you can afford it, Ringmesh is a great choice.
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Post by Artelmis on Jul 9, 2012 0:39:22 GMT
historical accuracy isn't exactly important...
but 400 bucks is a wee bit out of my price range considering that the rest of the setup came from ravenswood...
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Jul 9, 2012 1:48:38 GMT
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Post by 14thforsaken on Jul 9, 2012 6:50:41 GMT
That's right, I forgot than when I was looking into it, I was looking at the blackened hauberk which is about $400. My bad.
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Taran
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Post by Taran on Jul 9, 2012 11:58:27 GMT
Even that's only $325... Plus shipping.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jul 9, 2012 12:10:38 GMT
How durable is that ringmesh stuff anyway? Comparable to well made riveted mail? I mean would you expect it to have serious protective use?
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Jul 9, 2012 14:06:18 GMT
Cheness, I have not done any testing for durablity or protection but I can offer my inexpert thoughts without any practical testing to back them up. The best way I can describe Ringmesh is a shirt woven from metal. The shirt comforms to your form and is very flexible. When you first slip it on it feels like a wet tee shirt, both in weight and the way it clings to the body. After a few seconds you don't even feel that anymore. The links are very small and perfectly closed, with no seam visible. But the rings are thin. So i think it will protect a body from just about any slash. The small rings will expose more rings to a striking weapon decreasing the chance of a single ring failing (but offering little in impact resistance to the wearer due to flexibilty. See below) The rings seem solid and should be able to hold up under piercing as well. Logically, I would think the very weight of normal maille helps absorb some impact energy (inertia and all that), but Ringmesh offers little protection from blows because of it's lightweight contruction. I think the material is too thin and flexible to absorb any of the impact from a heavy two hander, an axe or a mace, though it may very well prevent the cut. Also, the flexibility of the material would cause it to bend with an impact perfectly, offering no resistance whatsoever. So I think heavy under padding is needed, possibly undoing the very reason to wear Ringmesh in the firstplace: lightweight and flexibility. What I think Ringmesh would be best suited for is to wear it under regular maille or plate. It's weight and bulk will not be noticed but it will add significant additional protection. Almost nothing will pentrate. It can also be worn underneath normal clothing without discomfort. So it would make a good way to cheat in an "unarmored" duel.
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Jul 9, 2012 14:12:50 GMT
Actually a blackened tunic (not the shirt) would be close to $400 www.ringmesh.com/product_p/lt210.htm Just a thing I noticed: the Ringmesh appears much more see through on the site pictures than in person. I am beginning to sound like an advertisment I am in no way affiliated with Ringmesh. I just think it's really really cool stuff and I tend to get preachy about things I think are really really cool.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jul 9, 2012 20:58:38 GMT
Hmmm, sounds good. I wished there was some testing done, you know, against knife stabs, etc. Even butted mail protects decently against cuts, the rings just split very easily when thrust at. With the welded rings, ringmesh shouldn't have that problem but maybe the thin rings make it vulnerable to powerful thrusts?
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Post by Artelmis on Jul 9, 2012 21:45:12 GMT
Curious as to how well it'll hold up. Not for durability, as being attacked at a convention is fairly minimal chance, but more for falling apart. straight up ringmail is always losing rings, hence why everyone says to get riveted. how does ringmesh fare compared to dome riveted in terms of lasting a long time?
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Jul 9, 2012 23:07:50 GMT
Cheness, they do sell patches of the material that would be good for testing and not cost a lost at all. I haven't done so yet and really haven't had much motivation to do so. Maybe one day.
But here is a video of someone that did some testing with a butcher knife. Not quite the same as a two handed thrust from a XVa but it is something.
Artelmis, I have worn my shirt for about 40 hours, including 2 full days at faires and around the house just to see how it felt. Not too long a time. I store it by throwing it on a chest which it has fell down on the floor and has been there for about 2 months. So obviously I give it no special treatment. But I don't see slightest sign of wear and tear. And judging by the perfectly welded links I would say that it would last nearly forever, barring outright abuse. There looks to be no real chance of the links coming apart.
Maybe someone who has had theirs longer can tell us how it has held up for them?
Also keep in mind that the links are stainless so no need to oil it and it will not rust.
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Taran
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Post by Taran on Jul 10, 2012 6:27:24 GMT
You won't suffer shearing force cuts through ringmesh, but blunt force trauma and, potentially, compression cuts ringmesh will provide absolutely no protection against.
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jhart06
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Post by jhart06 on Jul 10, 2012 6:30:25 GMT
If it's like my chain was for jousting, when I was looking into it, it'd be $50 shipping easy, if not more. But that was 12ga steel, so i'm not sure.
RIngmesh is cool, and seems to be good stuff for what it is.
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Post by 14thforsaken on Jul 10, 2012 6:52:56 GMT
That's pretty much true of most mail. That's why I wear an arming coat under my mail and either an infantry gambeson or leather plates over it.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jul 10, 2012 12:28:03 GMT
Thanks for the vid, Chris. Seems to hold up decently against stabs. Not sure how much power there really was behind them though. The vid was quite dark and shaky, in addition to not showing the guy using the knife. Still good to see of course.
I have thought about buying samples but having to ship overseas is ruining that I think. I guess I'll just hope somebody's doing heavy stabbing tests with ringmesh eventually. Maybe even shoot it with a bow, etc.
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