01-02-2006, 06:35 PM
Ashley Holt informs me that, having learned that my linothorax had eight layers of linen, he assumed that was per side, rather than in total, so he glued eight layers to each side of a 1/8" piece of leather. However:-
"...then I went and put two composites of this together. It seemed like a good idea at the time."
That makes 32 layers of linen and 1/4" of leather, on the thorax and epomides. Ashley thought he could manage with just the one thickness for the pteruges (!)
So, Dan, it appears that 32 layers is possible for a functional linothorax. Ashley has less trouble over the weight and rigidity of the armour in general than over the fact that he made it just a little too long, with the result that he can't bend at the waist. I've never seen him try to run around in it, though, but he's a big lad and shouldn't have too much trouble. I've asked him about this. I believe he went for a run in Hoplite kit, once, but that was wearing a steel cuirass.
Ashley is not a fair test model, really. When I first met him, he had built an aspis which I found much too heavy and lacking in the amount of "lip" that would have made it easier to carry. He actually injured his shoulder using it. I suggested it would still be strong enough for use if he removed some of the wood. This he did, although the result is a shield which is still heavy by comparison with most others. Apparently, he removed ten kilos of material. Yes, KILOS. No wonder his shoulder hurt!
I spoke today with someone who was in on some kevlar armour testing. He said that, not only did the US and Russia turn the layers to change the direction of the weft, but the Brits twisted the threads before weaving to get a denser weave and then turned the layers. He had a baton round shot at him at 20 metres and was thrown forward a couple of yards. He says there is a layer of something else built in between the layers of kevlar, to spread the impact. He attributes to this the fact that he suffered no concussive injury from the baton round. Apparently, the Army made mock-ups out of linen, prior to producing the kevlar pieces. He couldn't say what weight of linen was used.
"...then I went and put two composites of this together. It seemed like a good idea at the time."
That makes 32 layers of linen and 1/4" of leather, on the thorax and epomides. Ashley thought he could manage with just the one thickness for the pteruges (!)
So, Dan, it appears that 32 layers is possible for a functional linothorax. Ashley has less trouble over the weight and rigidity of the armour in general than over the fact that he made it just a little too long, with the result that he can't bend at the waist. I've never seen him try to run around in it, though, but he's a big lad and shouldn't have too much trouble. I've asked him about this. I believe he went for a run in Hoplite kit, once, but that was wearing a steel cuirass.
Ashley is not a fair test model, really. When I first met him, he had built an aspis which I found much too heavy and lacking in the amount of "lip" that would have made it easier to carry. He actually injured his shoulder using it. I suggested it would still be strong enough for use if he removed some of the wood. This he did, although the result is a shield which is still heavy by comparison with most others. Apparently, he removed ten kilos of material. Yes, KILOS. No wonder his shoulder hurt!
I spoke today with someone who was in on some kevlar armour testing. He said that, not only did the US and Russia turn the layers to change the direction of the weft, but the Brits twisted the threads before weaving to get a denser weave and then turned the layers. He had a baton round shot at him at 20 metres and was thrown forward a couple of yards. He says there is a layer of something else built in between the layers of kevlar, to spread the impact. He attributes to this the fact that he suffered no concussive injury from the baton round. Apparently, the Army made mock-ups out of linen, prior to producing the kevlar pieces. He couldn't say what weight of linen was used.
