Korbin's Leather Lamellar

Leather, Chain and Plate

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Korbin's Leather Lamellar

Postby Korbin the Mad » Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:29 pm

I'm currently engrossed in a project to make a new set of armor for myself to replace my crummy old brigandine, and after some deliberation I decided on leather lamellar. I didn't really like the typical round-edge lamellar plates, so I started looking for something a little different.

I knew what I wanted going in:
  • square or rectangular plates
  • the ability to bind everything with only vertical cord exposed
  • a design that looked faintly eastern, a la Mongolia or late feudal Japan

Eventually I decided on Scrapworks Armory's Model 2 Lamellar Plate and pulled the trigger. I wasn't sure how many scales I would need for starters, but I ordered 300 at a reasonable price and rounded it out with 200' of 550 paracord (not exactly period, but it's inexpensive and indestructible).

Shipping was quick once he had the plates cut and I even received a sample of 50 geometric scales and a bunch of rivets as a teaser. SWA knows how to make a return customer.

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Progress went quickly at first.

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Pretty soon, I had a big ol' chunk of lamellar.

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Here's a shot of the inside, to show the pattern. Notice the knots; authentic lamellar usually had knots intermittently throughout the weave, so that if a part of the cord was cut, the armor wouldn't all unwind at once and you'd lose a much smaller portion.

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I'm not too concerned about foam swords cutting through paracord, but I enjoyed the little touch of ironic authenticity.

After a couple days of off and on weaving, I ended up with this.

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I tried a couple different designs for the pauldrons, which although currently attached are fully modular. In the end, I decided the simplest design also looked the best and functioned the smoothest, so I ditched the more fantasy styles and went with the eastern recipe for shoulder protection.

At this point, I'd pretty much used my 300 plates. I'm going to add flanks to the bottom of the armor, but I have to order another 200 or so and that will take a week or two.

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Not bad so far. I just need to get those flanks so I can hide my Avengers pajamas.

With no more plates, though, I had to work on something else. So I went and got some cotton canvas to border the armor in and make it look a little more complete. In keeping with my colors of red and purple, I bought a yard of red 'duck' at Hancock on sale for half off. Score!

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I was a little shaky with how to affix it at first and wasn't sure how it would look, but I'm about a third of the way done and I think it's looking pretty sexy.

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Lovin' it.

This is where I stopped last night. Stay tuned for the finished product!
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Re: Korbin's Leather Lamellar

Postby Sir Thurat » Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:30 pm

Thanks for sharing. Looks sweet!
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Re: Korbin's Leather Lamellar

Postby Calarn the Black » Sun Apr 06, 2014 9:25 pm

Very nice...trim work is something a lot of people don't think about.
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Re: Korbin's Leather Lamellar

Postby Korbin the Mad » Sat Apr 12, 2014 5:24 pm

Got the bordering done in time for practice this morning.

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Action shot!

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I think it looks pretty awesome so far. No problems in practice. I need to add some straps to the pauldrons to keep them from flying upward when I swing, and I need to order more lamellar plates for the flanks (hence the lack of the bottom border), but I'm very happy with it!

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Archery

Re: Korbin's Leather Lamellar

Postby Sir Thurat » Sat Apr 12, 2014 7:12 pm

Very nice.
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