07-18-2015, 04:11 AM
Quote:I am conscious of the chafing issue. Indeed, I have seen re-enactors, who I believe were using the method that I described, with chafe marks on their necks. However, it is for them to say whether this is a major problem. I think that the method described by Salvatore, with the leathers passing along the neck but being looped through rings on the cheek-pieces on the same side, could also cause chafing but with the helmet less securely fitted on the head.
Russell Robinson's method is influenced by the bust of Phyrrus of Epirus, which has the leathers passing along the neck and then crossed to fasten to studs on the opposite cheek pieces (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pyrrhus.JPG), and is described on p.14 of his Armour of Imperial Rome in relation to Montefortino helmets that also have studs on the cheek pieces, instead of rings.
I'm no expert but so far I have not experienced any major chaffing or discomfort from my method, but I plan to try out this new method and see which I prefer.
Salvatore
