<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Shameless:
<B>Now that I like - would something like that provide the needed protection for SCA fighting? What would the process be for molding the leather? What ounce leather would be best? Would anything be needed to reinforce it? Would it need to be padded?
(.. gee I feel like a 5 year-old asking "why? why? why?"...)
Merci Beaucoup!!!
Kelley
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This is how I'd do it:
1. Find someone that can work wood. Carve the wood into the shapes you wish, appropriate to the feminine curve. Cut your leather into a "Roman breastplate" pattern. Such a pattern can be had from
The Best Of The Hammer.2. Soak the leather in cold water until pliant. Using a rawhide mallet, hammer the leather into the form until you have the desired shape. Fasten the formed leather onto the forming-mold using upholstery nails
3. Allow the leather to dry, remove it from the form, then dye, tool and add buckles and straps or laces, as appropriate.
4. Follow the same steps for the backplate, allowing for spine and shoulder-blades.
In answer to your question:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">What ounce leather would be best?</font>
I think the advertised 13-14 ounce leather is
more than thick enough. We're talking nearly 1/3" thick, fer Crissake!
No further reinforcement should be necessary, and a light arming-doublet should be more than sufficient padding.
Hope this helps,
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Robert Coleman, Jr.The Noble Companie and Order of St. MauriceThose who beat their swords into plowshares end up plowing for those who don't.[This message has been edited by Templar Bob/De Tyre (edited 04-12-2001).]