07-26-2008, 04:12 PM
From everything I have seen from Roman scale finds, 24 gauge is actually on the thicker end of the range. 24 gauge is plenty strong. I was actually worried about it being too thin and after making it, I think I could have even gone a little lighter. I designed their shape off of pictures I have seen of Roman scales without ridges.
16 gauge is pretty thick, but I understand making the scales thicker for SCA since they have their own rules for minimum safety standards. I am confident the 24 gauge would be hard enough to penetrate alone, much less with 14 layers of linen behind them. :lol:
A major difference is that Greeks did NOT have to worry about war hammers, maces, flails, pole axes, etc. I have several polearms from Arms and Armor (Flail, War Hammer, Gothic Mace, Hungarian Pole Axe, Etc.), and they could even do damage to 16 gauge. I have hit 16 gauge commercial bronze sheet with some of them and it wasn't pretty to say the least. Best defense then is to not be there when the weapon hits!
16 gauge is pretty thick, but I understand making the scales thicker for SCA since they have their own rules for minimum safety standards. I am confident the 24 gauge would be hard enough to penetrate alone, much less with 14 layers of linen behind them. :lol:
A major difference is that Greeks did NOT have to worry about war hammers, maces, flails, pole axes, etc. I have several polearms from Arms and Armor (Flail, War Hammer, Gothic Mace, Hungarian Pole Axe, Etc.), and they could even do damage to 16 gauge. I have hit 16 gauge commercial bronze sheet with some of them and it wasn't pretty to say the least. Best defense then is to not be there when the weapon hits!
"A wise man learns from his mistakes, but the truly wise man learns from the mistakes of others."
Chris Boatcallie
Chris Boatcallie
