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Subject: Testing for Rigid Armor
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KallynUser is Offline
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08/27/2006 9:53 AM Alert 
Posted By Sevrin on 08-26-2006 11:24 AM
Posted By Albert_Faulke on 08-26-2006 10:55 AM
The information Hakim presented on the leather thickness is important.

This also explains why we were talking at cross-purposes regarding the issue.

So, are there any experienced leather workers on this forum who can shed some practical light on leather gorget material and construction to further this discussion?

I would consider myself experienced in leather working.  I have been making leather gorgets for teh past 6 years.  I have a saddlery shop in town where I get my leather.  I had an extensive conversation with him on leather and what is good stuff.  He said there are three "types" of leather out there (or more pointedly, he carries for sure), vegetable tanned leather(& others of its ilk), pig-skin, and saddle leather.  THe first one is the only one he said he would use for making armour, especially for the throat.  The other two types break down and become VERY malible fairly easily.

For two layers of 8 oz. leather, they should measure between 1/4" and 3/8".

Here's a little test I did to make sure some gorgets I made a few years ago are still good to go:

Buckle up the gorget to the closest hole (it's usually the fighter's fit), then while holding the buckled area, push on the front of the gorget to see how malible it is, using only one or two fingers.  If it collapses, then I strongly urge the fighter to get it replaced as the leather is worn out and is a danger.  Luckily (knocking on wood) I haven't had anyone argue or not do it.  But then again, the gorgets last 3-5 years and at that time, the fighter would like to update their armour anyways.

Any questions on leather gorgets that I can help with?


Rai Kallyn Rozvardo de Montségur
Cadet to Monseigneur Prosp
ère de Montségur

jgreywolfUser is Offline
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08/27/2006 4:22 PM Alert 
Posted By Kallyn on 08-27-2006 9:53 AM

For two layers of 8 oz. leather, they should measure between 1/4" and 3/8".

Here's a little test I did to make sure some gorgets I made a few years ago are still good to go:

Buckle up the gorget to the closest hole (it's usually the fighter's fit), then while holding the buckled area, push on the front of the gorget to see how malible it is, using only one or two fingers.  If it collapses, then I strongly urge the fighter to get it replaced as the leather is worn out and is a danger. 

Kallyn, can you define what you mean in the above quote, by "collapses".

In discussion with some other Warranted Rapier Marshals yesterday we were looking at some ideas on how to make the rules less subject to "interpretation".  One of these areas is, of course, how we can "test" rigid armor in a consistent and repeatable fashion.  So if you could clarify exactly what you mean by collpase, this would help




Justin Greywolf (SCA: Ramon Diaz de la Vega)
Director
Old World Martial Arts - Teaching Historical Italian Swordplay in the Pacific Northwest
HakimUser is Offline
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08/27/2006 5:53 PM Alert 
What if we put a limit on the amount of flex. like our swords. I personally feel that if the armour flexes more than 1/4" using the same amunt of preasure that it takes to push a button on a calculator, it is not rigid. or we can reguire rigid be tested with a mask tester or equivilent. ( I have never seen a mask tester so I don't know if that is possible.)

Just some ideas to be kicked around.

Hakim

Hakim
student to Don Enoch
KallynUser is Offline
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08/28/2006 9:00 AM Alert 
Posted By jgreywolf on 08-27-2006 4:22 PM

Kallyn, can you define what you mean in the above quote, by "collapses".

In discussion with some other Warranted Rapier Marshals yesterday we were looking at some ideas on how to make the rules less subject to "interpretation".  One of these areas is, of course, how we can "test" rigid armor in a consistent and repeatable fashion.  So if you could clarify exactly what you mean by collpase, this would help

When holding the buckle in one hand securely, pressing down with progressively more force on the front of the gorget with one or two fingers until the front bib/ dicky flap points straight down (if it is sewn directly onto the collar).  If the buckle is on the side, placing the gorget so the back is up against a table, wall, floor, splitting block, or whatever will help make sure it's not scooting out from the finger(s).  If the location where the two fingers bends in towards the center, making a generalized "M", then the gorget has "collapsed" and has failed.

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Forums > Swordplay & things > Open Review Discussion > Testing for Rigid Armor



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