[Jewelry making - Article 00078] - Re: [Orchid] Chain mail - to solder or not to solder?

[Silverspotstudio]

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>     where has this strange French version 'maille' come from? Why not
>     use our own language? 

    Ian, I've wondered this myself - personally, I find "maille" a little
    pretentious, but I honestly think that "maille"-makers have adopted
    this term to avoid confusion with "chain mail" - that is, chain
    letters. If you Google" chain mail," you'll get as many hits for
    annoying chain letters and e-mails as you will actual chain-making or
    chain-selling sites. I like "chainmail" myself, or "ring-mail,"
    which, alas, is rarely used. 

    As for riveted links, they are stronger than simple butted joints,
    but they can still be popped open with enough force. I've seen mail
    in museum displays with riveted rings that have been forced open
    through various types of stress, especially along the edges of the
    mail garments. (Maybe they got sat on and squashed?) It's quite
    possible soldered links would also open up under the same abuse. 
    Any way you join 'em, though, I doubt that any ring-mail would be of
    much use against the "bodkin" arrowheads that were developed to
    counter this defense; these were slender, stiletto-like warheads
    that were about 4"to 5" long. When fired from a stout bow or
    crossbow, these would go right through just about any mail, and at
    close range, most plate armor as well. 

    But, if all you have to fear are friends weilding forks, why not
    give riveted mail a try? You can get pre-flattened, pre-punched
    rings, complete with rivets, at 

    http://www.theringlord.com 

    [No affiliation, but I've plugged 'em before and I'll probably plug
    'em again. Be sure to check out the amazing things they've done with
    scales and see if it doesn't give you a jewelry idea or two!] 

Have fun!

Jessee Smith
www.silverspotstudio.com
Cincinnati, Ohio

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