10-01-2005, 08:32 PM
According to Wikipedia (In french) felt (the non woven type) has existed ever since paleolithic times. It can be made out of any kind of animal --or human-- hair and the bonding of the fibres is achieved thanks to the little scales on the hair that the shampoo commercial are always talking about.
Being pounded like that the little scales get entangled, thus creating a very solid bonding.l
Felt making continued after weaving was developed because obviously the peculiar qualities of the stuff as far as insulation --thermic, phonic, water-- go.
Indeed felt has better insulating qualities than leather. The steppe nomad's tents are made of felt, not leather, so are their boots. In the rain and snow, leather deteriorates rapidly, contrary to felt, which insulates better and dries quicker. Besides, contrary to leather, felt does not become slippery when wet.
Wikipedia also says that for an equal thickness felt will be a better protection than leather against arrows.
That IMHO, depends much on what kind of leather and what kind of felt and remains to be demonstrated.
Being pounded like that the little scales get entangled, thus creating a very solid bonding.l
Felt making continued after weaving was developed because obviously the peculiar qualities of the stuff as far as insulation --thermic, phonic, water-- go.
Indeed felt has better insulating qualities than leather. The steppe nomad's tents are made of felt, not leather, so are their boots. In the rain and snow, leather deteriorates rapidly, contrary to felt, which insulates better and dries quicker. Besides, contrary to leather, felt does not become slippery when wet.
Wikipedia also says that for an equal thickness felt will be a better protection than leather against arrows.
That IMHO, depends much on what kind of leather and what kind of felt and remains to be demonstrated.
Pascal Sabas
