| A type of chainmail in which the links are simply closed or butted in the weaving process. The standard way to make mail today, as opposed to rivited mail. Despite what you may think, butted mail is still quite strong, depending on the gauge of wire that you use and the diameter of the links. The most common type you will find today is 3/8" 16-gauge galvanized steel. It has the tendancy to come apart after some wear. If you own something made of this, be sure to watch it carefully and close any open links with two pairs of pliers. Stainless steel mail tends to be much stronger, and while it isn't as good as high carbon steel, you don't have to keep it oiled and clean it in a bag of sand, and unlike galvanized steel, stainless stays a nice shiny steel-grey. |
