08-10-2005, 09:37 AM
Gaius Decius Aquilius\\n[quote]Having followed this thread on quilted defenses I tried a quick one day experiment. I did this recalling a reference by Bernal Diaz in his Conquest of New Spain where he cited the construction of quilted cotton armor soaked in brine. I used thin materials to see if results could be achieved with a quick, minimal effort. I made three samples approximately 15cm. square consisting of :
1. A single square of unbleached muslin cotton of a medium (porous) weave.
2. A layered square of four pieces of the same muslin set at a 45 degree angle to the weave as suggested by Dan Z, Hoplite14gr, and Dan Howard.
3. A thin (2.5mm) compressed un-woven cotton wadding like material from a storage blanket sandwiched between muslin layers (two each) set at a 45 degree angle.
4. As a control element, I also tested a square of vegetable tanned leather.
Damn' fine work!
The experiment also had the unanticipated result of having my new neighbor whom I did not at first observe to be in her abutting backyard, quickly remove herself and her small child and go inside her house.
My morning exercise with my Norman sword had the same effect on the man delivering oil to my neighbour's house. He worked very quickly and quietly!
I suspect that the Greeks used both quilted and glued armours, perhaps in conjunction. I find that my linothorax makes me sweat a lot. I put this down to the leather centre, which doesn't breathe (and to my own proclivity to profuse perspiration!).
1. A single square of unbleached muslin cotton of a medium (porous) weave.
2. A layered square of four pieces of the same muslin set at a 45 degree angle to the weave as suggested by Dan Z, Hoplite14gr, and Dan Howard.
3. A thin (2.5mm) compressed un-woven cotton wadding like material from a storage blanket sandwiched between muslin layers (two each) set at a 45 degree angle.
4. As a control element, I also tested a square of vegetable tanned leather.
Damn' fine work!
The experiment also had the unanticipated result of having my new neighbor whom I did not at first observe to be in her abutting backyard, quickly remove herself and her small child and go inside her house.
My morning exercise with my Norman sword had the same effect on the man delivering oil to my neighbour's house. He worked very quickly and quietly!
I suspect that the Greeks used both quilted and glued armours, perhaps in conjunction. I find that my linothorax makes me sweat a lot. I put this down to the leather centre, which doesn't breathe (and to my own proclivity to profuse perspiration!).
