Something to wear the next time you're taking on the Yakuza (dialup warning; two 500K images)

[Orrex]

A little something I threw together toward the end of my college years. Most of the links are 18gg galvanized steel wire with an internal diameter of 5/32", but the sleeves and hem are edged in 17gg wire with the same dimensions. The shirt contains over 72,000 links.

Thanks for looking!





First person to call me a geek, etc. about it is John McCain's friend. His special friend. One of the "friends" he refers to when he says "my friends." That kind of friend.

[TZ]

1. Neat.

It reminds me of the mesh shark suits that are made as protection from being bitten.
Looks like you put a lot of work into that...
It takes a real renaissance geek, er man to do that....:P

[Orrex]

6. Similar!

Sharksuits are stainless, and the rings are actually smaller. I acquired a butcher's glove years ago that's basically the same stuff. It's tremendously supple but not very form-fitting, and expensive as hell.

[DarkTirade]

2. If that's 17 gauge wire, those must be some tiny rings.

I usually work with 16 or 14 gauge, 3/8 or 1/4 diameter.

[Orrex]

4. The main part of the shirt is 18gg, spun on a 5/32" rod

The edging is 17gg, which is a pain to work with at that diameter, but it holds better.

I also like how 17gg looks at 7/32"; it's similar to 16gg @ 1/4". I'd like to do more with 16gg, but the local farm store doesn't stock it.

[Dr. Strange]

3. Oh great.

They made a shirt out of Orrex Balls? That's just wrong.

[Orrex]

5. My balls are versatile, but not that versatile

The shirt was a project unto itself.

[Xithras]

7. Too cool.

You spun the links AND assembled it yourself? How long did it take, and what was the final cost on it? I only ask because I spent $900 on one about a decade ago and am wondering whether I got ripped off :)

[Orrex]

8. Hard to say how long it took

I built it over the course of about a year, but it's not like I worked on it 10 hours a day...

I can't remember exactly what I spent on the wire, but I'd guess that it was somewhere under $40.00. I already had the drill, rod, clippers, and pliers, so they weren't included in the cost.

Of course, it's not hard to make this stuff, but it is sort of labor-intensive. That's where the cost comes from. And if you get riveted or welded links, you're paying for that much more work.

What's your mail like? Did you buy it at a Faire or a Con, or from a catalogue? Do you know anything about the size of the links or the wire? I might be able to give you a better estimate of the current market value if you have that info.

[Xithras]

10. Bought it from a faire.

From a blacksmith who hand makes them actually. The rings are 14g (very heavy) and are riveted. The blacksmith called it a "1 into 9 kings mail", and the pattern has a mix of iron and bronze rings to give it color. He told me it was actually combat ready, and was made in a manner almost identical to that used to make high quality mail for medieval lords (this isn't footmans mail). Some of the details are a bit fuzzy though, since I'd downed an entire flagon of blackberry mead just before buying it. Seriously.

I took it to another faire a few years ago to get a price on it, but the blacksmith had quit attending years before and nobody had any idea what a quality handmade one like that would be worth. All the vendors had were the cheap $150 mass produced ones.

I should probably chase down a blacksmith and find out what they'd charge to make a new one, since anything else is really just a guess.

[Orrex]

12. Well, the one you bought is a very different product altogether

Do you, by any chance, know the internal diameter of the links? I've worked in 14gg, and I find that 5/16" is the most aesthetically pleasing to me. But I've also seen a lot that's 3/8", and that might be the more likely choice for riveted.

The fact that it's riveted can double or triple its value, depending on other factors (eg., what the rivets are made of, how consistent the riveting is, how well-flattened the links are, etc.). I confess that I'm personally indifferent to the iron/bronze mixing, but if it's done well then it further adds to the value for those who like that.

If your guy was serious about it being "made in a manner almost identical to" the historical method, then he may actually have drawn the wire himself, which adds even more to the value. In fact, I've never even seen a modern, hand-drawn suit of chain! (But I should mention that I've heard literally dozens of armorers claim to have made their stuff "in a manner almost identical to" the historical method...)

I can't imagine that I'd have plunked down $950 for it, but if what he told you is true, then I'd say that it wasn't a bad price.


If you have the inclination and time, I'd love to see a picture of it. If you'd care to send one, PM me and I'll give you my email.

[Chan790]

9. How much does that weigh?

If it breathes well you could go jogging it that...it's got to weigh 20 lbs. One could lose weight just walking around it that all day.

[Orrex]

13. I haven't weighed in a while

But I seem to recall that it's around 22 pounds. Each of the 72,000 links averages about .14 grams, so...

The problem with jogging is that the shirt is a bit of a strain on the neck and lower back muscles, not to mention its effect on knee impact and the like.

The longest I've worn it is about 12 hours, after which it felt a heck of a lot heavier than 22 lbs!

[kedrys]

11. Want!!

Holy smokes, what gorgeous work! :)

[Orrex]

14. Thank you very kindly!

It was a labor of love, that's for sure!