100 pieces for Visby Lamellar Plates

Venture back to a time where the clash of steel resonated through battlefields, and armor was both a symbol of prestige and a guardian against foes. With Live Oak Workshop, you have the chance to recreate a piece of that storied past with our Visby Lamellar Plates. Precisely crafted at 2.75" tall by 0.87" wide, each plate is designed for both accuracy in replication and ease in assembly.

The art of fashioning your own lamellar armor, inspired by the historical Visby finds, is more than just a project—it's a journey through time. As you interlace each plate, you are echoing the same motions and methods of ancient armorers, binding together protection and tradition.

You can get your lamellar plates in either 1mm 410 stainless steel, 1mm 410 stainless hardened (dark coloration due to heat treat but SIGNIFICANTLY stronger) or 1.6mm 5052 Aluminum. All are great options based on your use or need. 

How much will a suite weight?

• 1mm 410 Stainless Steel ~2.10 lb. (956 grams)
• 1.6mm 5052 Aluminum ~1.25 lb. (424 grams)
  

(Weights may very slightly from batch to batch)

How many plates do I need?

This will depend on how much you protect. Do you just protect the "squishy bits" or your whole body, front and back.. Historically you would have protected everything. But for SCA combat you are only "required" to protect specific parts of your torso. 

Mapping layouts from historical references we feel pretty confidently that 132 plates to cover 1 square foot (actually more than that, but for 100% cover of 1 sf you need 132 plates).  You can use this SVG file to check out plate layouts. 

What kind of Cord and how much do I need to lace up these plates?

In the samples we have done we have found 5/32" paracord works great, and while we could stock and sell you it; honestly we can't beat the Bezos on prices here is a link to stuff we use and it comes in a lot of colors : 
https://amzn.to/3P84qn6 (this is a affiliate link so we get a little love if you use it, but you don't have to)

As for how much cord? TL;DR - 3.5" (~90mm) per plate will get you what you need.  

Long Math:

• 1.6" (~41mm) per plate to stich a row of plates together
• 1.6" (~41mm) per pair of overlapping plates when stitching two rows together.
• because its two rows, when you are stitching its 1/2 the cord used per plate.
• But you have a top and a bottom.. So you can either say 1.6" + .8" top + .8" bottom or just say 1.6" x 2 or 3.2"
• Then give yourself some room for knots so 3.5" (or ~90mm)/plate to be safe.