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Post by Bjarki Bjornson on Feb 28, 2011 17:23:49 GMT -5
What is the lightest material that I can use to make a fencing Jacket?
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Post by zygmuntnadratowski on Mar 4, 2011 8:27:24 GMT -5
Linen. 4 layers is good enough to pass a drop test, and is very comfy even at the hottest events.
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Post by DeForest on Mar 4, 2011 17:23:17 GMT -5
4 layers isn't always enough to pass the drop test. For really lightweight linens (fine shirt and handkerchief weights) you may need a lot more than 4 layers.
Conversely, the heavy weight linen I am using passes with only 2 layers.
Don't think of it in terms of layers, think of it in term of passing the drop test. I'd hate to see someone get disillusioned about this after their armor of 4 layers doesn't pass. Most rapier marshals can tell by feeling the material first, and, if possible, always drop test the pile-o-fabric before sewing.
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Post by eginolf on Mar 5, 2011 9:52:42 GMT -5
What about suit weight wool? I have access to enough to make a cool outfit.
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Post by collettedevalois on Mar 5, 2011 21:16:00 GMT -5
If the suit weight wool is backed with something, say a layer of linen or 2, and passes the punch test, then it would be fine.
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Post by caelfind on Mar 6, 2011 21:50:02 GMT -5
punch test before you go through the trouble. Find someone with a tester. Seriously, you don't want to find out the hard way afterwards. I find that the fabric needs a little stretch. If its too stiff, the tester has a tendency to blow through it regardless of thickness.
I've heard turning a layer on the bias helps but as a seamstress that makes me cringe.
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Post by Jahan Ara amat al-Hafeeza on Mar 15, 2011 17:16:30 GMT -5
Having made several tunics/shirts for Fencing Armor, I can say that Linen seems to be the best and easiest for long term use.
How many layers really depends on the linen. I've pulled off two layers for some and had to go up to 4 or more for others. Quilting two layers together works really well too, btw. I almost always quilt the underarm gussets in the tunics/shirts that I make.
You need about a foot square to test, and you want to test *all* of the layers planned together. turning one onto the bias does sometimes help strengthen it.
If you do make it out of Linen keep in mind two things:
Certain dyes make the linen either weaker or stronger (for example: red weakens but black tends to be stronger)
General rule of thumb for linen, but you really really do not want to dry it in a machine. It breaks the linen down too fast.
Works best to have an under layer that you wash often, so that you don't have to wash the over layer after every wear. Sometimes that isn't an option, though, so realize that washing does weaken the linen over time.
Hope this helps!
-Jahan Ara
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