Silk type for padded armor?

Mahiro Shukosa · Post by **Mahiro Shukosa** » Tue May 21, 2002 2:17 am

Hello all,

I was just wondering, what type of silk would be best for making a padded garment? I know that silk was used historically as armor, but I am not sure which *type* to buy in order to replicate both the look and especially the functional strength of the period material. Dupion, crepe de chine, habotai, etc... I am bewildered, and if I am going to plunk down the cash for a couple tens of yards, I want to make sure it is the correct type! Thanks!

M.S.

Gascoing · Post by **Gascoing** » Tue May 21, 2002 5:40 am

Hi,
The more suitable would be, in my opinion, what we call "bourette de soie" in France. It looks more like silky hemp than silk...
What was called "silk" on original 14th/15th c. cloth fragments found in France (certainly from a doublet or cotehardie) was analyzed as being very similar to the "bourette de soie".

Ernst · Post by **Ernst** » Tue May 21, 2002 9:49 am

14th century records mention using silk as a filling mterial also. Specifically mentioned is cendal or syndal. In modern language sendal is a silk gauze of open weave.

Mahiro Shukosa · Post by **Mahiro Shukosa** » Fri May 24, 2002 10:37 pm

I have found a source for raw silk at a very reasonable price. Would this be suitable structurally for the base of a japanese armor, including a stand-alone quilted gambeson? It is advertised as being fairly thick. Would this stuff work?

M.S.

James B. · Post by **James B.** » Sun May 26, 2002 8:33 am

Mahiro Shukosa

Raw silk is vary durable, but it is usually a little translucent so keep in mind you may need multiple layers or a cotton of a close color in-between the layers. I use it for lining doublets and making points, the strings with metal ends tied to a doublet to hold your hose up.

Flonzy

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Cheap garb is as bad as plastic armor.

Mykaru · Post by **Mykaru** » Mon May 27, 2002 9:22 pm

Mahiro,

What is sold as raw silk is nothing like the silk used for kote etc.. If you aren't going to plunk down the astronomical sums for Japanese silk (which a kind of crepe weave). I suggest hemp. It IS correct and was more common anyway. Another option is Indian silk brocades. These were imported and used on occasion.

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Mon May 27, 2002 10:57 pm

http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/
check here.