Looking for chain mail

[TheEasternBear]

I'm looking for a stainless steel, riveted (don't know which is better, dome or wedge, so if someone could lay out pros/cons that would be great) haubergeon (half sleeves).

my chest is about 48", gut is a few more... i figure I've got a big belly but my other measurements are about normal, so just a general "one size fits all" type of deal would do fine for me right now. I plan on fighting in the future, but not the super near one. However, I'd like to get this squared away far before hand so that when the time comes I'll be all set.

Also I would like to know what gauge steel it should be for a stainless riveted haubergeon for SCA heavy combat. I have heard 16 but that if it's riveted it could be a bit thinner, so I'd like to know just how much thinner (to cut some cost and weight).

Thanks for any replies!

[Ian L]

good amount of overlapping info in this recent thread.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=152576

For what it's worth, my go-to source for quality stainless maille that's even historic in appearance (not all offensively shiny like most stainless), is built tough, and backed by a very stand-up business man is Icefalcon.

[TheEasternBear]

Thanks for the reply!

I have checked out that thread and the problem is that Icefalcon and the other vendors I saw in there were very expensive. I am not necessarily looking for new maille, used is a-okay in my book.

I definitely think Icefalcon has the nicest selection but his stainless riveted stuff is suuuper expensive and I just can't afford it.

[PatternWeld]

I was shopping for a Business Jet the other day... Can you believe they want 36 Mil for a used Gulfstream 550?

Of course I can't afford the Tesla roadster either. SUPER Expensive.

You get what you pay for.

[muttman]

Even used, quality mail tends to hold its value pretty well, moreso for stainless. If you want stainless, riveted mail made to hold up under SCA combat, you're going to pay for it. Mail, by its very nature is labor intensive and somebody needs to get paid for that work.
Its like Patternweld said, you get what you pay for. Better to buy once and buy right than to half ass it and pay for junk twice. Ice Falcons prices are fair for what you get and He stands behind his product.
Good luck in your search
John/Drefan

[Duke Icefalcon]

Thanks for the reply!

I have checked out that thread and the problem is that Icefalcon and the other vendors I saw in there were very expensive. I am not necessarily looking for new maille, used is a-okay in my book.

I definitely think Icefalcon has the nicest selection but his stainless riveted stuff is suuuper expensive and I just can't afford it.

We have mild steel flat ring riveted that is about half the price of the stainless if that is closer to your budget.

Cheers!

Ice

[Swete]

Kult of Athena may also has what you are looking for and it is maybe more in your price range?
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AB3088

[Atlanta Armory]

Might you consider going with welded maille? I use half punched rings and half welded rings, which allows me to use smaller rings (6.4mm rather than 9mm) and still keep the cost per area lower than riveted maille. Since every shirt I make is to the customer's measurements, I can use less material, which saves money and weight.

Also I would like to know what gauge steel it should be for a stainless riveted haubergeon for SCA heavy combat. I have heard 16 but that if it's riveted it could be a bit thinner, so I'd like to know just how much thinner (to cut some cost and weight).

For butted maille, 16ga (0.063" diameter) wire is pretty fine for SCA unless the ring diameter is 6-7mm". For riveted and welded maille, 16 gauge is good for just about any ring size, though you can get away with 18ga (0.048") wire even for rings as large as 10mm.

-Ben