Art of Mail Armor: How to Make Your Own

Pass on this one and save your money to buy Brian Price's book....it will give you more insight into how armor is made to SCA standards.


Anything but art   November 25, 2002
 33 out of 33 found this review helpful

For a book that is supposed to be a "how-to-book" this book is missing the point.
1. Some of the photos are blurry and it is hard to tell what a the "weave" looks like.
2. It only covers a very small selection of weaves to try.
3. Instead of the book showing you the correct way of making mail it shows the shortcut versions of already simple patterns. This in turn makes the mail look cheap to the trained eye.
4. The names of the patterns are inconsistant with the terminology being used by most mailers around the world. What is called chinese chain 1 in the book is actually a box weave, what is called a chinese chain 2 is actually a byzantine weave, and a 6 in 2 is actually a Japanese Hex.
5. When mail is done correctly it should seem to flow together and rest on the wearer as if were a second skin. Unfortunately, many of the items in this book seem to be pieced together with many "seams" visible.

If you are interested in learning about mail armor I DO NOT recommend this book. Learn from the people who's passion of mail armor shows in their work. You can find great information on the internet by doing a simple searh for Chain maille.