'Nother market survey-kozane/iyozane (Japanese scales)?

[CLANG]

In my continuing quest to find low-impact work to keep me busy while my arm heals up, I'm tinkering with the idea of making Japanese armor scales. Kozane were the smaller scales, which resulted in a double-thickness of material when they were laced together. Iyozane were wider scales which were intended to mimic the traditional, small scales, while reducing the number of scales required, the overlap per scale, and consequently, the weight of the finished item. Both types of plates were used either alone or in conjunction with larger plates to make almost every part of Japanese armor.

Traditionally, the scales were made from iron or lacquered rawhide. If I made them from leather, I think I would use thin veg-tan, water/heat hardened, due to the nature of SCA combat and the expense of "real" lacquer. I believe it would be difficult to make good-looking plates from rawhide. It could certainly be done, but it would take a lot of finishing effort.

I could make tooling to do them in leather pretty quickly, and in steel less quickly. If anyone's interested, or has suggestions, I'd be happy to hear from you.

BTW-there is or was an outfit making them from plastic. Are they still around? Would there be any demand for leather or steel over their product?

Any (reasonable) input appreciated.

[Ckanite]

it would depend on your price, but personally I would love to have something like this, but again, price would be the main issue. I would prefer steel, but that's just me. Either way good luck!

[Drekar]

If I could aford scale ether of still or hide that wold be ideal, great journy to u brother!!!

[owen matthew]

Mark,

For plastic I think this may be what you were thinking of... if not, sorry.

http://www.plasticlamellar.com/osc/index.php

Its the "Effingham" Kozane.

Owen