02-23-2006, 08:56 PM
My persistence is founded in the belief that the Romans were both dedicated and ingenious in designing their armor.
I absolutely believe that composite is the way they would go.
Hide, as opposed to leather, gets ignored way too much. It is an awsome defensive material, particularly when combined with something else as in the scutum. It imparts a strength all out of proportion to its weight. It is partially flexible. I took a piece last night and stained it and the appearance took on what was depicted on at least one of the reliefs displayed here-a sort of graininess that could be confused with weaving. The grains were large and protruding, not to mention hard.
I absolutely believe that composite is the way they would go.
Hide, as opposed to leather, gets ignored way too much. It is an awsome defensive material, particularly when combined with something else as in the scutum. It imparts a strength all out of proportion to its weight. It is partially flexible. I took a piece last night and stained it and the appearance took on what was depicted on at least one of the reliefs displayed here-a sort of graininess that could be confused with weaving. The grains were large and protruding, not to mention hard.
"In war as in loving, you must always keep shoving." George S. Patton, Jr.