pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 10, 2019 2:17:10 GMT
Glad to have you back. Missed ya.
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Ifrit
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More edgy than a double edge sword
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Post by Ifrit on Feb 10, 2019 2:19:12 GMT
Yea same here
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 19, 2019 20:25:13 GMT
Ya, and after doing a test cut I changed my mind. However looking back on it I think I wasn’t entirely fair. I think because at the time my objective was to cut through it so I used a Condor Engineering Bolo, and cut about straight down while dropping. Now I see it in a different light, that is wearing it as street wear under my shirt. In the street I suspect my assailant will be using a pocket size folder or box cutter and slashing. I believe that the ring mesh will stand up to that. It is quite comfortable equalling my street clothes and as it is SS there will be no oil or rust issues. Did you make a video of that test? I'm curious to see how you tested it. That's pretty much what it was made for. I don't think they had Medieval weapons in mind. Unless it's fo a costume or something like that. I’ve begun taking a new interest in RingMesh. The first test I did turned me off. I cannot remember the details of that test. I do remember using my Engineering Bolo and spending about 2 hours restoring the edge by hand. I do remember that I gave a cut from 12 o’clock dropping from the knees and that it wasn’t free standing but padded. I’ve thought it through since and decided the most likely event in the street would be from a machete or a folder. The machete would be the most powerful but the folder might be able to give point though most I’ve seen I wouldn’t trust to do that, no guard. So I retested using a free standing litre plastic bottle. Actually two; one naked and the other with the mesh taped to one side. The result of the naked bottle is what you would expect, but doing it is fun. The one with the mesh went airborne. Glad that I was using a machete (26”) because of the impact shock. Machetes are designed to handle such, not a sword. The mesh broke loose and showed no damage. The impact left a sizeable dent in the bottle. It had a small hole but I believe more from the crushing blow than a cut. The machete’s edge is still paper cutting sharp but I can feel minor damage. At any rate I came out better than last time as I estimate only a few minutes on the Work Sharp will fix all. But even with the hole and a definite crease that bottle fared better than his buddy. I’ll just plug the hole and it’ll be ready to go again. As far as a person goes they would be showing blunt trauma but no more so than traditional mail I’m sure. My plan is to wear the mesh under my street clothes as things are getting a little rough down here.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Mar 19, 2019 21:41:47 GMT
I just looked up ring mesh armor for the first time, believe it or not. That's some pretty darn impressive stuff. If I would have done more homework, I'd probably have a full suit of it now...instead of riveted, India-made mail. Don't get me wrong...my mail looks cool and all, and the price was okay, but...that mesh seems just about perfect for MY needs.
Anybody want to buy some Lord of Battles darkened flat/round riveted? I'll cut ya a good deal.
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Post by demonskull on Mar 20, 2019 0:53:15 GMT
The cheapest and easiest way to remove the oil from maille is to put it in a sack or box, dump in 5 lbs of clay based cat litter and shake like hell. Pull it out flip it inside out, stick it back it the box and repeat. Take it out of the box, string it up with a stick through the arms and smack the crap out of it, until the clay particles fall off.
Clean and cheap and the combination of the oil and the clay dust will help keep the maille from rusting without staining your clothes from oil residue.
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Ifrit
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More edgy than a double edge sword
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Post by Ifrit on Mar 20, 2019 2:38:03 GMT
Excellent test pgandy. I'm happy to see it can stand up to that. I figured as long as it resists cuts it should do fine in an urban setting
Also, great tip demonskull. I'll keep that in mind if I ever find myself with some maille
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 12, 2019 19:30:33 GMT
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 12, 2019 19:39:08 GMT
I was having trouble adding this to the above post so I'll tack it on here. This was from a previous test for thrusting. Granted it is not a high quality knife, only a paring knife we use in the kitchen. I didn’t feel like repairing the point on one of my good knives. But nevertheless...
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Post by csills2313 on Apr 12, 2019 19:57:25 GMT
Where can you buy ringMesh products?
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Apr 12, 2019 20:18:27 GMT
Where can you buy ringMesh products? I second that question!
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Post by csills2313 on Apr 12, 2019 20:27:16 GMT
Actually I found their website. www.ringmesh.com/I have chain mail, a Viking sword, shield and a helmet. I should be ready to invade the holy land.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 12, 2019 20:41:00 GMT
Actually I found their website. www.ringmesh.com/I have chain mail, a Viking sword, shield and a helmet. I should be ready to invade the holy land. You got it: www.ringmesh.com/ The vest weighs, they tell, an unbelievable 4½ lbs. Am having trouble deciding between the vest and the short sleeve model. I wish to wear this under my street clothes.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Apr 13, 2019 2:36:59 GMT
I think I might have to sell some stuff...and git me some o' dis! Mail that wears like a t-shirt....yep. Would be great against Orc or shark.
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Post by peterleon on Apr 28, 2019 0:13:58 GMT
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Apr 28, 2019 2:20:41 GMT
My mail is by LoB's and it's fairly decent for the price. It's the round riveted, solid flat alternating rings-darkened. It *looks* fantastic, but I wouldn't trust it for live-steel combat. Never had dealings with their butted mail.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 28, 2019 2:24:45 GMT
I don’t have those exact two but close enough. My hauberk is made by Lord of Battles using the same rings, only the style is different and not much at that. Mine is the SNC1152N model with ¾ length sleeves feeling the long sleeve adds extra weight for no real purpose and will probably have an adverse effect when putting on vambraces. The oils necessary to prevent rusting will get onto clothing so wear something underneath that you don’t mind getting dirty, but that can be said for about all mail. As for as holding up and durability I’ve had no problems and have tested it against cutting in which it past. If you are into re-enacting where it will take a beating on a retain bases I’d recommend riveted mail. I feel it’s good enough for a single combat if it should ever come to that. Afterwards if you repair the damaged rings, if any, it would be good to go again.
As for the coif, I used Lord of Battles’ rings, sold separately and of the same size, to make mine. It was a good experience but cost more due to shipping than if I had bought it ready made. It required several shipments as I failed to order enough each time. The rings did come in handy when modifying the hauberk. I later bought a coif of riveted stainless steel that I like much better as it’s lighter, thinner, and doesn’t require the care that my butted mail does, nor does it bless me with the excessive oil. I think that was Lord of Battles also. I also used the rings to make a mantel.
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Post by peterleon on Apr 29, 2019 17:07:16 GMT
Would you happen to have links of any recommended Hauberk and matching coif? I'm going for a 1200s Templar look I dont want something that's going to fall apart but also not getting into stage combat.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 29, 2019 19:29:22 GMT
Would you happen to have links of any recommended Hauberk and matching coif? I'm going for a 1200s Templar look I dont want something that's going to fall apart but also not getting into stage combat. The Lord of Battles mail that you were considering will not fall apart on you.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Apr 29, 2019 22:14:06 GMT
One thing to be mindful of is the weight. The hauberk alone weighs over 20 lbs. My riveted is only about 15 lbs. but feels a lot lighter once on my body.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 30, 2019 2:00:13 GMT
My riveted SS coif weighs less than my coif made with those same Lord of Battles rings and I like the riveted more. The butted has a smoother surface as the rivets protrude and tend to snag especially clothing, paddings, etc., whereas I can slide whatever in place more easily with the butted mail. I would like their SS riveted hauberk but that’s $400-$500 delivered when I don’t need, only want, it. The one that I have gave me a good idea of what mail involves and will protect me.
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