[Sander Alsters]

Hi,

I have a question. I'm currently manufacturing a kazaghand. And I have a question about the padding. The thing is, a Kazaghand consists of two layers of Mail armour and a padding on the outside of the two protecting the mail from heavy blows. of course there is a strong fabric between the two layers of Mail. And a brocade fabric for the inner and outer layer of the coat.

My question is this: What do you recommend for a padding so that it can be used for Re-anacting and to be worn in sparring tournaments. It can't be to thick, otherwise it will just hinder your movement and I think it shouldn't have to be because the mail armour is already a lot of protection. I think maybe a Gambeson is already to thick as padding. What I need is a padding that doesnt make you look like a swollen giant and still is enough to protect you from blows. I never worn Mail so I don't know how much it reflect blows. Does anyone have some information I could use? Maybe some tips and tricks for making the padding? OR if there is a cheap padded fabric that I could buy? The material doesn't have to be historically correct because it's the inner layer of the coat.

Kind regards!

[Dan Howard]

Most kazaghands only had one layer of mail. The double-layered kazaghand that Usamah described in his memoirs was an exceptionally heavy example and unlikely to have been very common. Usamah's description of the padding of his kazaghand included "proper linings, felt pads, silk stuffing (al-lasin) and rabbits' hair".

[Sander Alsters]