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Re: making armor for a living


The 'chain mail' stuff probably wouldn't protect you from a snake's
attack.  It's more of a puncture than a cut.  That's why I recommend
something like a tough plastic...protects better from a puncture.  As I
understand it, the stuff divers use help protect them from sharks since
the shark shakes his head when he attacks and uses his teeth as a saw,
even though the initially cause punctures.  Anyway, that's what I saw on a
"nature" show I watched. (chain mail was originally designed to protect
from cuts and 'solid' armors more for punctures...if that helps clear
things up)

My friends actually make medieval style armor.  I used to, and they still
do belong to a group of recreationists that center on medieval history.
Use to do the sword fighting and armor wearing and all that jazz.  Then I
got too fat and blew my knee out... ouch!  :(

LM




On Thu, 23 Jul 1998, Herb Harris wrote:

> That sounds good! I really do need something other than the thin waders,
> as the snakes are a problem. They usually get out of the way, but
> occasionally there is one that will get a notion to charge at me for
> some reason, and its something I am wary of when I get into the water
> over ankle deep.
> 	I thought you were talking about the lightweight water resistant metal
> chain type at first though, as the person I had heard of used this sort
> of stuff as I understand it. She made suits of it though. Had something
> to do with being used by divers, but I am not sure what. The guys that
> told me about it were some of the divers that were in the bridge unit
> that I was in, and the conversation was centered around needing
> lightweight protection from some sort of fish in the water in the Rhine
> River, where we did our military training.
> 
> 	At any rate, thanks for the info.
> 
> Herb
> 
> mcclurg luke e wrote:
> > 
> > Actually it's not hard.  I can do it myself...but my work doesn't look as
> > nice.  Start out with a paper pattern.  A grocery sack works really well.
> > Cut it into a basic shape and fine tune with multiple fittings.  A good
> > inexpensive 'armor' you could use is heavy plastic trash can (not the
> > kmart brands, something a little heavier).  It's flexible, and you can
> > heat it in the oven to help get it to mold better...remember to protect
> > yourself with a towel between you and it while shaping.  Drill a few holes
> > in it for straps, get some 'tandy' rivets (don't recommend 'pop'
> > varieties)  and get a good strapping material and some buckes or 'D' rings
> > to use as fasteners.
> > 
> >  For NON-water use you can use leather covered in heavy coats of wax.  It
> > becomes as hard as steel almost.  If there are enough people interested, I
> > might try to come up with a design and an article on 'how to'.  Let me
> > know.
> > 
> >  If you were going to buy the 'professional' stuff...you'd only need a
> > half suit by the time you had paid you arm & leg...if you get my drift.  A
> > decent "Kidex"  (sp?) a.k.a. trash can plastice suit probably won't cost
> > more that $50.  That's a 'guesstimate'.
> > 
> > LM
> > 
> > On Wed, 22 Jul 1998, Herb Harris wrote:
> > 
> > > while I was in the army stationed in Germany in the 70's, I heard of a
> > > French girl who some folks claimed did that too, so I guess its not an
> > > unusual profession.
> > >
> > > How much you reckon your friends charge? the snakes in these parts get
> > > thick this time of year, don't ya know? got any idea just how they go
> > > about getting the right measurements?
> > >
> > > Herb
> > >
> > >
> > > mcclurg luke e wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Actually....I have friends who make armor for a living.  Seriously!
> > > >
> > > > I'm sure they could make you something.
> > > >
> > > > LM
> > > >
> > > > On Tue, 21 Jul 1998 Phylesis at aol_com wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > In a message dated 7/21/98 9:40:07 PM, you wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > >Bull sharks are also common in all Florida rivers. While in Orlando a few
> > > > > >years back, I saw on the news a helicopter video of a large school of lemon
> > > > > >and bull sharks in the river--50 miles from the ocean. They spent several
> > > > > >days there before heading back to sea.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >David.
> > > > > >
> > > > > Uhhh, does anyone know where I can get chainmale waders.
> > > > > : O
> > > > >
> > >
>
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