[T. Brandt]

I've done some looking around, and as I'm not a materials science expert, I can't say I follow the deep math--but from a post here on myArmoury, there was mention of, by weight, linen being a better option than leather for armor.

So, I have a proposition: what of layering different pieces of leather, with the outermost layer being the stiffest (not boiled-stiff, though), gradually getting to a linen or cotton level of softness via the innermost layer. So you have the initial hard stop at the beginning, and then the shock absorption of the soft.

Or, conceivably, having an even more complex model by alternating hard-soft-hard-soft in your layering, still gradually moving towards soft as you layer inwards.

Now sure, you could say "if you have that much leather and that much time, make a laminar/lamellar combination armor," but hey- I'm curious.

[Houston P.]

To my understanding leather doesn't offer much resistance against piercing attacks, so I would imagine that arrows and thrusts would have a much easier time penetrating it than an ordinary gambeson. I also am not sure if it would offer much resistance to cuts, as I know boiled leather can reportedly stop them, but without that it kind of loses all of the potential usefulness of leather. It would also probably be much less maneuverable than an ordinary gambeson. I'm certainly no expert but I can't imagine it being very capable protection.

[Philip Dyer]

[T. Brandt]

Hm... alright, another question.

Out of the possible materials-- linen, cotton, wool-- which are considered the best material out of which to make a gambeson? What is considered to be the best stuffing? Does the "softer fiber is better" approach to stuffing actually work, or is it more complex than that?

Second--and now we're getting speculative--I've noticed a few examples of, say, a wooden shield covered with leather, or with canvas. Is there any mention of having a wooden surface covered with leather or canvas making a meaningful difference in a shield's performance?

I mean, in my untrained mind, a (relatively) small shield made of three layers-- thin metal backing/frame, wooden main body, and leather covering would provide a more rounded defense (having both the soft and the hard), but that's pure speculation. We could start getting into something like buffalo/bison leather vs. cow leather, but... that's a little beside the point.

[Mart Shearer]

There are two broad categories of textile armors, the semi-rigid and soft. Historic documents find supporters of both camps.

For example, the regulation from Louis XI (1461-1483) calls for a jack of layered linen covered with deerskin.

[Mart Shearer]

[William P]

it's also worth noting that canvas facing for shields is considerted standard for most reenactors and even 1-2 layers of moderately tough canvas glued on make a world of difference to the durability of the wood underneath