Some excellent fine maile sample

[John_Clements]

One of our members in CA, aspiring armorer Brad Girod, sent us this excellent example of fine riveted maile for test cutting. I was really impressed, over 1950 links and 120 hours of work by Brad. Shame to destroy it, but science must advance.

JC

[John_Clements]

Another view of it.

[Guest]

Wow! That's a really tight weave with small links, looks great. I predict it will take a mighty and well placed blow to break it.

[John_Clements]

I handled some original armor like this in Switz. This is a good reproduction. It's extremely flexible and close fitting, and very resistant to thrusts --no wonder they wore this kind under 16th century doublets. You don't need as much under padding either I notice.

JC

[Guest]

" Shame to destroy it, but science must advance.

Results? How did it hold up?

[John_Clements]

Haven't done the tests yet, have to get some blades re sharpened. We'll video tape it though.

JC

[Guest]

When you test cut something like this, what do you put under the mail to simulate a body?

[Shane Smith]

That is beautiful work.I suspect a good stroke from a XIIIa will make short work of it though. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> As for backing, I assume you will be using a pork or beef haunch ?

[John_Clements]

I think we'll use a variety of things, from cloth to meat.