[Ansteorra] armors list

[Sir Morgan Buchanan]

Just to clarify this point, which is excellent...

Modern manufacturers of sheet steel in the US don't market their product 
using the antiquated gauge scale.  However, as Iaen states, these gauges 
have a modern range.

When armourers who make helms for the SCA advertise their products as being 
16 gauge, they are generally telling you that the helm is SCA minimum, but 
DOES meet that minimum.  I would not hesitate to specifically ask any 
armourer if a helm they're selling is indeed made from at least .0625 rather 
than the thinner material.

However, as someone else alluded to, I really wouldn't recommend a minimum 
thickness helm.  Not JUST to a new fighter, but to any fighter.  Minimum 
thickness helms, unless manufactured from much more expensive-to-produce 
spring steel, won't last very long.  I've seen a new minimum helm get a nice 
crease from a single sword shot, not an excessive one but stout to be 
certain, in the very FIRST practice it was worn.  All other factors aside, 
the equipment simply may have a relatively short career if it's worn by 
anyone who actually gets hit regularily.  Certain construction methods can 
invalidate the statements I've made about equipment life, but generally 
speaking, beginner equipment won't have employed those design elements.  The 
average fighter is better served by acquiring a helm made from 14 and 12 
gauge range steel, bot for the longevity of the equipment as well as for 
making one's head a heavier object at rest which aids in the avoidance of 
concussion.  There is a law of diminishing return factor here, where when a 
helm gets overly heavy the weight will cause neck and back issues - but will 
indeed keep one from getting concussed.  I think that for the average 
fighter, when a helm starts being constructed entirely out of 12, or a mix 
of 12 and 10 gauge steel (which is getting really close to 1/4" thick) 
you're likely talking about a helm that's far too heavy.  Some people can 
handle them tho.  I'm sure not one of them!

Hope this is found helpful.

Morgan


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John" <iaenmor at swbell.net>
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] armors list


> 16ga is .0625".  However the currently used standards do allow for a 
> certain amount of leeway.  Down to somewhere in the range you have noted. 
> You can bet the manufacturers are going to tread that bottom line as 
> closely as they can.  One of the reasons for .0625 is not only the 
> thickness but also the weight.  The more weight you have on your head the 
> less your brain is going to slosh around when it gets hit.  A very simple 
> explanation of the physics of course.  On the other hand if the helm 
> weights too much the opposite can occur.  The helm starts moving and the 
> weight is too much for neck muscles to stop the momentum.  Leading to neck 
> problems.  Anyhow back to the original topic.
>
> Iaen
>
> Bill Perkins wrote:
>> Also, the rules of the lyst specify 1/16th (0.0625) inch steel. 
>> According to my gauge equivalent chart, 16ga is 0.0598 inches thick for 
>> mild steel - much too thin.  15ga is the closest at 0.067 inches thick. 
>> However, 16ga stainless is at 0.063, which is sufficient.
>>
>> Alejandro
>>