Pauldrons vs. the neck

[Haardgrim]

So I made some leather pauldrons (well, spaulders to be exact), three pieces with straps for articulation and strapped across the chest above and around the arm below. But trying them out on the field, I noticed I suddenly had this hard surface right next to my neck which also sticks a bit outside my shoulders. While it looks pretty nice (pictures to come), I find myself concerned that a hard hit from the side, somebody crashing into me, or falling on that should would push the pauldrons into my neck in a harmful manner. What have y'all done to prevent this problem, if indeed it is a problem? A shorter top piece so it doesn't stick out so far? A gorget? A turned-up edge next to the neck? Other things?

Thanks,
-Squire Hårdgrim Bonebreaker of Monachium

[Sir Thurat]

I'm having some trouble visualizing it. Do you have pics posted somewhere?

[Haardgrim]

Took some pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pyTM1ivccjRmJsC1A

The straps on the underside are not the final ones, they are just for testing. But notice in http://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNj ... d4cFdzYUln in particular how the part on top of my shoulder goes from right next to my neck to a fair bit outside my shoulder. Should I fall sideways, that could get pressed pretty hard into my next. This leather has been stiffened by soaking it and letting it dry in the oven, so it's pretty solid and definitely wouldn't bend much under impact.

[Derian]

Typically you'd address this by adding a concave curve to the neck facing part of the top lame. It works pretty well in my experience.