The Armour Archive

Is there any special way to lace leather scales for scale armour?

A site with diagrams would be really helpful.

If you are lacing scales together and not on a backing then it isn't scale it is called Lamallar. And yes there is a specific way to lace them. Unfortunatly I can't find the site.

If you are lacing them to a backing then there really isn't a specific pattern to use.

here is a really good step by step with pictures of how to make lamalar, from the archives vaults.

http://www.armourarchive.org/patterns/l ... emplarbob/

here is a really good step by step with pictures of how to make lamalar, from the archives vaults.

http://www.armourarchive.org/patterns/l ... emplarbob/

There is also a step by step lacing diagram here under "Various patterns by Okami"... In the pattern archive. However some Lamae have specific lacing patterns depending on thier hole arrangement and style. The best way to know is to post (if Possible) the lamae design here and see.

I used a pattern like this. You start with a row of one scale then two, three, four, etc. until you have your desired width, then your next row has two less scales, the row on top of that is your orginal width. To finish the sides, I laced the scales to a long strip of leather as well as on the top. Since there is no backing, I suppose this could be more properly termed lamellar, but the lacing is much looser. For armour against serious weapons, I'd lace it much tighter using Egfroth's Byzantine pattern.

Seems like you already solved the problem your question posed..... "Interesting" "Pattern" for your scales. Would that be "Chaos theory Lamallar"? How does it work for the combat you are doing???

ok well im weing to a backing, so is it just like regular sewing?

Tatsuo,
My scale has served me well for almost 10 years of SCA rattan fighting. I've attached a picture. I do have a solid piece of leather laced to the inside covering the kidneys and short ribs, since some marshals get tetchy about the scale being rigid enough to be adequate protection.
Alucard,
If you have backing, then yes, it's just like sewing. I'd use heavy waxed thread, like what is used to sew bootsoles, or sinew, either real or artificial.

Will hemp work? Just curious. If not i will buy some waxed thread.

So im looking at 800 - 1000 scales?