Alright, so I figured I’d share a bit about my journey messing around with chainmail. It all started pretty simply, as these things often do. I’d seen it in movies and games, you know, the shiny armor, and thought, "Hey, I could probably make that." Famous last words, right?
Getting Started: The Basic European 4-in-1
So, my first dive was into what I later learned is called European 4-in-1. This is pretty much the quintessential chainmail look. I got myself a bag of cheap aluminum rings – because steel sounded like a lot of work for a beginner – and two pairs of pliers. That’s your basic toolkit. The idea is simple: each ring passes through four others. Getting that first little patch going, though, that was a lesson in patience. I spent a good few hours just opening and closing rings, trying to get them to link up without looking like a tangled mess. My fingers were sore, I tell ya.
Once I got the hang of the pattern, it became kind of meditative. Open a ring, slip it through four closed ones, close the ring. Repeat. And repeat. And repeat. I made a small coif, my first real piece. It wasn't perfect, a bit lumpy in places where I messed up the connections, but hey, it was mine!
Exploring a Bit: Japanese Weaves
After a while, making sheets of European 4-in-1 got a bit samey. I started looking around, wondering what other ways people linked rings together. That’s when I stumbled upon Japanese weaves, sometimes called kusari. This was a whole different ball game. Instead of every ring being a closed circle interlinking with others in a dense fabric, Japanese mail often uses patterns where rings link edge to edge, sometimes with bigger rings connecting smaller groups. I found a pattern, I think it was a 6-in-1 or maybe a variation of a 4-in-1, but the construction felt different. It seemed lighter, more flexible in some ways. I tried making a small panel. It was interesting because some Japanese patterns don't even require all the rings to be fully closed in the same way as European mail. It looked really distinct, more like a fabric of interconnected circles than a solid sheet of metal.
Getting Fancy: Persian Weaves
Then, I got a bit ambitious. I saw pictures of these intricate, rope-like chains and edgings. Turns out, many of these were Persian weaves. I decided to try my hand at Full Persian 6-in-1. Man, that was a head-scratcher at first! The way the rings twist and lock into each other is not intuitive when you're just looking at a diagram. I must have taken apart my first few attempts a dozen times. It’s a much denser weave, and it creates this beautiful, almost solid-looking chain. I ended up using this for some decorative trim on a leather piece I was working on. It’s not something you’d make a whole shirt out of, well, unless you had a LOT of time and patience, but for accents, it's fantastic.
A Word on Ring Types: Butted vs. Riveted
Now, all this time, I was using butted rings. That just means the two ends of the wire are pushed together. For hobby stuff, display pieces, or lighter wear, it's fine. But I learned pretty quick that if you put any real stress on butted mail, especially aluminum, the rings can pull open. So, I started looking into riveted mail. This is where you overlap the ends of the ring and put a tiny rivet through them. Historically, this was the way to go for actual armor because it’s way stronger. I even bought some riveted rings and a riveting tool. Let me tell you, that’s a whole other level of commitment! Each ring needs to be individually hammered. I made a small patch, and the difference in sturdiness was incredible. But the time it took? Whew. I mostly stick to butted for my projects unless I'm aiming for super authenticity or strength.
And Then There's Scale Mail...
This isn't strictly chainmail, but it's often in the same ballpark. I also experimented with scale mail. This involves attaching small metal (or plastic, if you prefer) scales to a backing, which can sometimes be a chainmail mesh, or even fabric or leather. I tried attaching some steel scales to a European 4-in-1 base. It gives a completely different look, much more like fish scales or some fantasy armor. It’s also heavier and less flexible than plain chainmail, but the protective look is pretty cool. Each scale typically needs to be attached with a split ring or by threading wire, so it’s another labor of love.
So yeah, that’s been my journey so far. From simple aluminum rings to trying out different weaves and even dabbling in riveting. There are tons more weaves out there, like Byzantine, Elfweave, Dragonscale – the list goes on. Each one has its own quirks and best uses. It’s a craft that definitely teaches you patience, but seeing a piece come together, ring by ring, is pretty satisfying. If you're thinking of trying it, just start simple and see where it takes you!
