Looking for a chain shirt

[ScoutColt]

I'm trying to find a good chain mail shirt. Something light and durable, short sleeve, and I prefer the darker metals but I'll deal with a gun metal color. (dislike the super bright shiney aluminum knockoffs)

I can find plenty of them online for around 200 bucks, and I've looked at faire but they all want 350+ for shoddy shoddy materials. Good craftsmanship, but the metals weak, or something that was picked up at a discount because of it's type.

The good folks that put on the chainmail show have some quality stuff, but I can't see paying 400 or so for it though it is custom fit, when I can get two sets of "decent" maile for the same price.

So if anybody can point out someone selling it, making it to order or anything that has some reasonable prices in the 200 range, lemme know... I'll chuckem some business.

[Cap'n Hunnar Graybeard]

You might get in touch with Malgar at Thorvik Crafts. He hand makes everything. He also runs/owns the blacksmith shop at the St. Louis Renaissance Festival.

You can reach him at thorvik@sbcglobal.net. His web site is at www.thorvikcrafts.com.

He should be able to help you out.

Tell him Hunnar sent you. 

[*Teach*]

Here is the best from outside of faire that I know of
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/generic/9080/
Personally though, I would just go with the chainmail shop. Yes, it is a bit pricey... but it is fantastic work and they stand behind everything they sell

*I should get chainmail for my rum mug... that would rock!*

[Malkavian]

The good folks that put on the chainmail show have some quality stuff, but I can't see paying 400 or so for it though it is custom fit, when I can get two sets of "decent" maile for the same price.

I don't know that you can get good craftsmanship AND a strong metal AND a low price, unless you happen to find someone who's either willing to do you a favor or is undervaluing their time.

Just out of curiosity I wonder what you're referring to as "shoddy materials" --mild steel? galvanized?  To me "light and durable" = aluminum. You could find that either anodized or acid etched to avoid the brightness of clean Al.

Just me 2 cents, from what I know of the maille hobby and industry.

[ScoutColt]

The anodized aluminum is nice, but it nicks and scars easily. And i've found aluminum doesn't hold up to well to any SCA stuffs.

I mighta mentioned that this will be going on under a suit of armor for Pennsic and a few other out of state "wars".

And as far as decent and cheap... I know traders village in houston sold me a set for 200 (longsleeve) that has lasted me about 5 years and it's made out out of galvanized. It's not great but it's decent, and it works for what I need it for. Problem is, the guy that sold them is now gone from traders village.

While I love chainmaile shops stuff, I just don't think it's worth the money to get it banged up. It's to much quality to "use", and to pricey to justify getting it beat on.

And the shoddy part is I've noticed walking around fair that alot of the maile is hastily made, ring not entirely crimped, bad patterns used at joints, and missing rings in flat sections (since I know a lack of links can be used at joints to help with manueverability). I've seed alot of mild steel and several lord knows what at faire that I could almost bend in my fingers. I know alot of it is for show, but thats why I asked on here for something thats nice looking but is still slightly effective. My armor will protect me from any pain, but I'd like the chain for the look and not have it destroyed in one outing.

I'm gonna check all these other places linked and get back to you folks! Thanks alot all of you!

[Malkavian]

oooooh, yeah if you're doing SCA, Al is iffy unless you use really heavy rings.

I get my maille supplies from theringlord.org  --they have a forum, so you may be able to check there.  Those guys def. know their stuff.

[ScoutColt]

Oooh. The thinkgeek ones are only 100 bucks for my size... That could be worth it even though they'll die within 2 years or so...

[Randal]

I was standing at my game last Saturday, and noticed a strong odor of Motor Oil. Now, I am a good distance from any machinery and/or parking, so I started looking for the source. There was a gentleman in a very nice knee length chainmail shirt standing about 15 feet away. Apparently he had doused his chainmail in motor oil to prevent rust. I don't know about you, but if I have to walk around smelling like a Jiffy Lube, I'll stick to aluminum, or at least galvanized rings, thank you very much. 

Even better, titanium. Light weight, attractive, rust proof, and strong. I don't believe you can even think cheap and titanium though.

Randal

[PapaGnome]

I'm trying to find a good chain mail shirt. Something light and durable, short sleeve, and I prefer the darker metals but I'll deal with a gun metal color. (dislike the super bright shiney aluminum knockoffs)

When do you need the shirt?

Scol

[ScoutColt]

Next year roughly by around june or july. I'll be shipping out to pennsic late july.