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Butterfingers · 02-05-2003, 10:06 PM

Speaking soley from personal experience.

I HATE wearing heavy armor. I have worn plated mails, never once did I actually like doing so. You sacrifice to much for that amount of protection. If you get knocked over, you have no chance in hell of getting back to your feet by your self in the heavier plates like Gothic and Field Plate. You can't bend your arms enough to scratch your own nose hardly. It's a real pain in the ass.

Personally, I have always been fond of a studded leather jerkin or jack. It's a double layer of leather with little bits of iron or steel between the layers, riveted to hold the leather together. The weight distribution is good. It will block some arrows, deflect smaller lighter blades, and, even offers a little protection from fearsome mace blows. A little is better then none, and, you could get lucky. Cover this with a chainmail vest, no sleeves, and, a knee length chainmail skirt. Add iron plated bracers to add some protection to your arms, some greaves, and a nice sallet or a typical Norman brainpan, and, you are good to go really. You have mobility. (I was able to do cartwheels in this set up) You have decent protection. You will have to rely heavily on parrying and blocking however. Arm your self accordingly. Get a nice spear, a poleaxe, or perhaps use a shield along with an axe, mace, or flail. Use the axe for chainmail or lightly armored foes, use mace or flail for folks with heavier armor. In the battlefield, the mace and the flail were the great equilizer. You did not need to worry about piercing armor, a strong stunning blow could knock a foe over. It would also create a shockwave rippling through his armor and his body. Meaning that many of his bones would break from the sheer brutal force of the blow.

However, DO NOT PLAN ON GOING OUT ON A DATE after wearing this. You will still stink three ways to Sunday.

Also, personal side note. If you want your own suit of armor, you can make your own personal studded leather jack. You need lots of leather, enough to make two coats, either a whole bunch of pennies or high grade industrial washers, and, some kind of riveter. Rivet one leather coat, then, sew the other one over the top of it. Turn it inside out to make sure the rivet nubs are away from your skin, protruding from the leather of the coat. Make sure you have REALLY tough fingers. Also, chainmail is pretty easy to get if you know where to look. You can frequently find it at a fireplace retail and supply. Lots of fireplaces have chainmail drapes hanging down to catch sparks. You can buy whole sheets of it. Clip it to desired shape, and, hook it together with other pieces. It is commonly made of high grade 440 carbon steel, which is actually pretty darn good. Beware of chainweave, which is actually quite different from chainmail. Have fun, and, be responsible with sharp pointy objects.

02-05-2003, 10:06 PM	#33
Butterfingers Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: November 30, 2002 Location: Five Flagons Inn Posts: 633	Speaking soley from personal experience. I HATE wearing heavy armor. I have worn plated mails, never once did I actually like doing so. You sacrifice to much for that amount of protection. If you get knocked over, you have no chance in hell of getting back to your feet by your self in the heavier plates like Gothic and Field Plate. You can't bend your arms enough to scratch your own nose hardly. It's a real pain in the ass. Personally, I have always been fond of a studded leather jerkin or jack. It's a double layer of leather with little bits of iron or steel between the layers, riveted to hold the leather together. The weight distribution is good. It will block some arrows, deflect smaller lighter blades, and, even offers a little protection from fearsome mace blows. A little is better then none, and, you could get lucky. Cover this with a chainmail vest, no sleeves, and, a knee length chainmail skirt. Add iron plated bracers to add some protection to your arms, some greaves, and a nice sallet or a typical Norman brainpan, and, you are good to go really. You have mobility. (I was able to do cartwheels in this set up) You have decent protection. You will have to rely heavily on parrying and blocking however. Arm your self accordingly. Get a nice spear, a poleaxe, or perhaps use a shield along with an axe, mace, or flail. Use the axe for chainmail or lightly armored foes, use mace or flail for folks with heavier armor. In the battlefield, the mace and the flail were the great equilizer. You did not need to worry about piercing armor, a strong stunning blow could knock a foe over. It would also create a shockwave rippling through his armor and his body. Meaning that many of his bones would break from the sheer brutal force of the blow. However, DO NOT PLAN ON GOING OUT ON A DATE after wearing this. You will still stink three ways to Sunday. Also, personal side note. If you want your own suit of armor, you can make your own personal studded leather jack. You need lots of leather, enough to make two coats, either a whole bunch of pennies or high grade industrial washers, and, some kind of riveter. Rivet one leather coat, then, sew the other one over the top of it. Turn it inside out to make sure the rivet nubs are away from your skin, protruding from the leather of the coat. Make sure you have REALLY tough fingers. Also, chainmail is pretty easy to get if you know where to look. You can frequently find it at a fireplace retail and supply. Lots of fireplaces have chainmail drapes hanging down to catch sparks. You can buy whole sheets of it. Clip it to desired shape, and, hook it together with other pieces. It is commonly made of high grade 440 carbon steel, which is actually pretty darn good. Beware of chainweave, which is actually quite different from chainmail. Have fun, and, be responsible with sharp pointy objects.