Forkbeard wrote:Always keep in mind that steel rivets(nails) rust horribly and the rust eats at the leather it touches, causing it to tear. Nails are cheaper, but they shorten the life of the piece. Thats why leather workers use brass and copper.
FB
That's a good point- especially in consideration of the whole "long-term versus short-term" costs thing.
Oddly enough, I have never had problems with rusting in general- even my 16ga chain mail shirt has never gotten rust on it despite fighting in the rain, etc. I've only had two steel rivets rust on me, but that was a result of losing a buckler in a damp spot for a month.
Then again, I live in a dry place, and my results are not typical, etc. Forkbeard's been at this a
lot longer than I, so I'd trust his judgment.