16 gauge or 18?

[muttman]

I'm looking at a pair of Bazis that are offered in both 16 gauge stainless and 18gauge stainless. I'm mostly a sword and sheild SCA fighter in Aethelmearc, with maybe 15-20 percent of my fighting not being sword and shield. Either way, I don't get hit in the forearms much (knock on wood) Mostly I'm concerned about how much damage the bazis will take- will they get dented all to heck in 18? I imagine they will protect at least as well as the Torvaldr hardened leather I currently wear. I'm hoping to save some on the weight on my arms. How nocicable would the weight difference be between 16g and 18g?
Thanks in advance!
These are the specific bazis in question- they are made by Known World Treasures
http://knownworldt.com/100_0162.JPG
Again, thank you!
John/Drefan

[Gaston de Clermont]

The 18 gauge will be about 20% lighter. Really it will be less because the straps, rivets and buckles will all weigh the same. They'll dent, but not horribly, and not overly fast in your part of the world (I played in Delftwood in the 90s, and I'm guessing it's about the same.) You can pound the dents back out. Bear in mind that steel doesn't distribute shock quite like leather does, so you may want some light padding inside the bazubands.

[muttman]

Thank You Gaston! Yes, I would be wearing them pointed over a gambeson and likely additionally padded with wool on sheepskin to snug them up properly. Some dents I'm not too worried about, I just want to feel secure that they won't get beaten to hell- I'm getting them to look nice and beaten and warped doesn't look nice!
You used to play in Delftwood in the early nineties? How early? Do you remember a skinny, loud guy with a mohawk?
John/Drefan

[PatternWeld]

I cannot more highly recommend KWT's Bazubands.

Just be sure to take your measurements OVER the padding you will want. I sent them measurements assuming the armourer would allow for padding and got a set that fit like a second skin, on my skin.

I insisted on 16 guage but would recommend the 18 guage.

'cept for the snafu 5/5 on the Frieman scale.

[muttman]

Good to know- Thanks pattern Weld!
John/Drefan

[Benedek]

I made a set of 18 g. mild bazu's some years back when I was new, even in mild the shape they had held up well.

I've now got a set of 16 g stainless that I need to get strapped for fighting. If I could do it over, I'd have gone 18 g stainless. You should be just fine.