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The problem with textile armours is that it is very hard to find the right kind of linen cloth. Modern cloths are often not woven as tightly as historical linen cloths and the thread is weaker due to the fibres being shortend so that machines intended for cotton can be used. I've seen some samples of handmade attempts to recreate historical linen cloths and the end result is rather diffrent the typical modern linen cloth. Strong threads and more of them in each square cm will produce a cloth which is more resistant to damage when layered. |
Yeah. A have heard the Linen of that time would be more similar to sail cloth than any modern use of linen.
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I just watched the video and I must say the hardened leather was impressive. It would be interesting to see a test done on wax hardened leather. |
As suprising to me was the total lack of protection even when using the 2 layers of 8 weight leather.
But did you notice all the cracks that would appear in the hardened leather? Shows while it affords decent protection, it would cetainly not have a long battlefield life.
The hardened leather lammelar was very impressive to me. At first I thought this would be a great form of armour - reasonably light, more durable than hardened leather on it's own, etc. etc.
But if you think long term, leather was not cheap, and there is a good amount of labor assciated with making lammelar. Now, if metal lammelar costs $100 (relatively speaking), I'd think in most cases the true cost of leather lammelar would be at least $50, if not more.
And then add this to the fact that metal lammelar would last much much longer, both due to being more drable on the battlefield AND more durable vs. the elements.
You would probably go through 3-5 sets of leather lammelar before you would go through a metal suit.
And the leather, based on penetration shown in the testing would provide far less protection against determined thrusts, or arrows within a decent range.
After looking at this it seems leather lammelar would only make sense for a people that are very hide rich and metal porr, perhaps such as some of the earlier horse peoples, such as the Huns, avars, scyths, etc. etc.