Studded Leather Armor

[Bill_in_IN]

Originally Posted by Shostak

I don’t see metal studs providing all that much protection over standard leather if an entire seamless coat of fine, interlocking rings beats it by only+1.

My friend that makes armor actually prefers adding small metal plates to the leather because they are easier to make, attach, and maintain. He said that they do add a little more protection over straight leather without adding enough weight to change the encumbrance factor. So, if someone wants to pay for the extra time, material, and maintenance. I think that I will follow the guidance of someone that has been making armor for over 30 years. It is possible but has some pitfalls.

He makes armor for other SCA members that actively engage in non-blade fighting. Much of the armor that he makes is actually used and maintained. They have minimum armor requirements for safety. This guy is a true craftsman.

The added studs is what we came up with ourselves back in the day but studs was a broader label for metal pieces. If I had know my armor making friend back then, we probably would have called it something different per his recommendation.

Having said all of this, my armorer friend said that he would still rather make either Leather Armor or Chainmail. He wasn't fond of making chainmail because of the making of rings and then intertwining them was very time consuming process. He did make some Roman style 'skirts' (I can't remember their exact name). It was basically worn like a skirt. It was a leather belt with plate metal strips hanging down with flexible leather pleats. They were the bottom part of Roman Breast Plate. Most of the metal that he added to leather armor was ornamental. Usually thin stamped, bronze plated metal that he would stamp artwork into.

So, the addition of such an armor type would be very costly if someone really wanted it. Getting Toughness talent would probably be more easily obtained.