Art of Mail Armor : How to Make Your Own

Rating:
Summary: Anything but art
Review: For a book that is supposed to be a "how-to-book" this book is missing the point.
1. Some of the photos are blurry and it is hard to tell what a the "weave" looks like.
2. It only covers a very small selection of weaves to try.
3. Instead of the book showing you the correct way of making mail it shows the shortcut versions of already simple patterns. This in turn makes the mail look cheap to the trained eye.
4. The names of the patterns are inconsistant with the terminology being used by most mailers around the world. What is called chinese chain 1 in the book is actually a box weave, what is called a chinese chain 2 is actually a byzantine weave, and a 6 in 2 is actually a Japanese Hex.
5. When mail is done correctly it should seem to flow together and rest on the wearer as if were a second skin. Unfortunately, many of the items in this book seem to be pieced together with many "seams" visible.

If you are interested in learning about mail armor I DO NOT recommend this book. Learn from the people who's passion of mail armor shows in their work. You can find great information on the internet by doing a simple searh for Chain maille.

Rating:
Summary: Read the Reviews Before You Buy
Review: I bought this book at full price, (NOT FROM AMAZON) and that is why I am here now. ...a lot of the directions are hard to follow and the author seems to want you to intuitively feel your way into how to make mail.I've read better directions on the web.

Pass on this one and save your money to buy Brian Price's book....it will give you more insight into how armor is made to SCA standards.

Rating:
Summary: much better information on the web
Review: I received this book as a gift from a friend who wouldnt know any better, but words of caution for anyone looking to buy this: there is much better info on the web. Aside from the incongruent terminology, blurry pictures (probably swiped from the web) and convoluted instructions, it instructs you to use the pincing kind of clippers rather than the shearing kind. The pincing clippers give you link joints that dont meet, creating mail that sometimes won't even stand up to costume wear. She also uses unusually thick wire for my tastes. The only good part is ith glove patterns, though i have yet to try them my self, they seem thought through enugh. Take my advice, look on the web, there are many more comprehensive guides out there than this book.