08-13-2005, 02:19 AM
The samples I made with brine immersion are not stiff at all and do not match the representations mentioned by Mat Amt and Paul Allen. This is why I thought quilting was suitable for a light defense that is flexable. For you late Peltast out there...
I did give a second coat of Elmer's glue to the sample that was two linen layers with a cotton wadding layer sanwiched between. The second coat took out the fabric texture the the first coat left, and made it all smooth and shiney. You will recall in the last exciting episode of "Brine Immersion" this sample was damaged by a slashing cut. The second coat, although making the surface smooth and filling in the damaged areas, still did not prevent damage from a moderate slash. The lower layers were not cut, however. The sample remained flexable. The blade that had the most abilty to cut was one similar to one pictured on Connolly's "Greece and Rome At war" pg. 97. This is a inward curved blade like the modern Gurka knife, the sicarii. Or however it is spelled. Both figures involved in the sculpture are Etruscan and wearing full panoply including the linothorax.
Tomorrow I will make a new sample using pitch on the outer layers and about six brine treated inner layers. (I bought all the pitch the jewler's supply had today.)
If the pitch coated sample works, I am tempted to try to reconstruct a quilted cuirass like the one attributed to Iphicrates" reforms, like on pg 67 of warry's "Warefare in the Classical World". Unless this is too outdated, and someone has a better model to work from. The chest defense will be of pitch coated heavy canvas and the inner layers of thin brine soaked linen, stiched about 15cm apart. This should not take a lot of time or effort. The two layers of petruges, some 20 each, looks like will be at least three to four times the stitching work, which is a horror and makes me think twice. Stay tuned for the results in the next exciting episode of Desperate Hoplites.
BTW... I got a Thracian style helmet from Valentine Armouries last week on half price sale, ($145, US). The plume tube on the right side is the only one there is... none on the left side to match... and the cheek pieces doesn't close as well as I think they should. But it is re-workable, and there is not too much out there from this time period. And its just going to sit in my office anyway..
Gaius Decius Aquilius
I did give a second coat of Elmer's glue to the sample that was two linen layers with a cotton wadding layer sanwiched between. The second coat took out the fabric texture the the first coat left, and made it all smooth and shiney. You will recall in the last exciting episode of "Brine Immersion" this sample was damaged by a slashing cut. The second coat, although making the surface smooth and filling in the damaged areas, still did not prevent damage from a moderate slash. The lower layers were not cut, however. The sample remained flexable. The blade that had the most abilty to cut was one similar to one pictured on Connolly's "Greece and Rome At war" pg. 97. This is a inward curved blade like the modern Gurka knife, the sicarii. Or however it is spelled. Both figures involved in the sculpture are Etruscan and wearing full panoply including the linothorax.
Tomorrow I will make a new sample using pitch on the outer layers and about six brine treated inner layers. (I bought all the pitch the jewler's supply had today.)
If the pitch coated sample works, I am tempted to try to reconstruct a quilted cuirass like the one attributed to Iphicrates" reforms, like on pg 67 of warry's "Warefare in the Classical World". Unless this is too outdated, and someone has a better model to work from. The chest defense will be of pitch coated heavy canvas and the inner layers of thin brine soaked linen, stiched about 15cm apart. This should not take a lot of time or effort. The two layers of petruges, some 20 each, looks like will be at least three to four times the stitching work, which is a horror and makes me think twice. Stay tuned for the results in the next exciting episode of Desperate Hoplites.
BTW... I got a Thracian style helmet from Valentine Armouries last week on half price sale, ($145, US). The plume tube on the right side is the only one there is... none on the left side to match... and the cheek pieces doesn't close as well as I think they should. But it is re-workable, and there is not too much out there from this time period. And its just going to sit in my office anyway..
Gaius Decius Aquilius
