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Post by u02rjs4 on Apr 21, 2014 20:55:17 GMT
Hi everyone i think its been asked before but i'll ask again has anyone done any tests on ring mesh. I did a test today on heavier crappy indian produced maille and it faired much better than i thought. No stab or low powered arrow would penetrate. Is ring mesh weaker due to it being lightweight, or much the same, or although lighter and thinner better due to the welding?
Cheers,
Rob
p.s one forum member used a machete on a padded board and broke through the rings. Would this happen to most cheap maille hit with a downward force on a solid backing or is ring mesh actually weak?
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Post by bushido-blade on Apr 22, 2014 10:47:07 GMT
I can tell you there are many factors in the variants of materials, weave, weld/butted/riveted. Although vague, your question may be answered as such.... those who wore armor, wore chainmail. It is actually quite effective considering the many who go through with wearing heavy plate armor, they still usually use chain in the armor in some way. I do make chain mail, and its very tedious, but is worth every link. However no armor is fail proof, as the armor gets better so does the weapon.
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Post by u02rjs4 on Apr 22, 2014 19:49:49 GMT
Thanks, i'm quite a fan of maille so definitely wasn't doubting its ability. Just doubting modern recreations.
I can't afford custom etc so i am trying to decide on buying some welded light ringmesh or heavier riveted indian import maille. After tax etc the price is about the same so just trying to find out if the ringmesh is superior or not.
Cheers,
Rob
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Jun 15, 2014 22:11:15 GMT
I am the one who cut through the ring mesh. I have reservations about the ring mesh standing up to well delivered slicing cuts. However, as bushido-blade pointed out there are many factors involved. Personally I believe in mail it is only ring mesh I question in a real situation. I think if they used heavier gauge wire their product would be stronger. I did eventually make a butted mantel and coif using 16 gauge wire and 9mm rings. I have never held butted mail in high esteem and am somewhat surprised that is what I wound up with. I did pay attention to the ends getting a good fit to improve the strength. My arming cap, and shoulder padding w/collar measure over .4” thick each. This is worn over a steel plated brigandine plus gambeson. I feel that I’ll have other problems than laceration if a strike is sufficient to come through. Mail mostly protects against a cut and does little to reduce the energy of the delivered blow. These were my first attempts making mail and being inexperienced the butted material was more forgiving. One day perhaps I’ll have a go with the riveted stuff but found it expensive so maybe not. A kilo of rings that sold for less than 10 USD cost me well over 30 USD after import fees, shipping, etc. One day I’ll make a testing pad and repeat what I did with the ring mesh to compare. I started to several times then remembered the 1½ hours I spent dressing the edge on my machete then lost interest. I believe my butted mail will do more damage to the edge than the ring mesh. What I’ve pieced together so far appears to give protection. I had my house girl beat me with an escrima stick with no ill results. She got over her inhibition after the first couple of strikes and I think she actually enjoyed trying to put the hurt to me.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Jun 16, 2014 0:59:26 GMT
Lol... "I had my house girl beat me with an escrima stick " Join the SCA...then you'll have lots of folks beating you with sticks. I can say in my experience that butted mail will deform and fall apart faster than riveted or welded. Riveted/welded should be nearly invulnerable to slash type attacks, assuming it was made properly. Where I always saw issues, the rings had hardened unevenly and brittle fractured. So cheap Mail will require more repair, make sure you get extra rings
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