Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Leather armor is ubiquitous in fantasy worlds and has been criticized for being ineffective in real life. But is it, really? Due to its organic nature, only rare examples of leather armor from history has survived, but we do have some written sources. It was definitely done, although how common it was is a different question.
So let's test how protective it might be. A leather worker sent me a few pieces of wax hardened armor (thanks, Riley!) in different thicknesses to try out (8 oz / 2.5 mm, 10 oz / 4.5 mm, and a combination of the two).
Working my way up from small knives to swords, from cuts to thrusts.
Previous videos:
Testing Ultra Light, 'Mythril' Style Maille ("Chainmail")
youtu.be/T-u7Ne1sQZQ
Testing a first attempt at 3D printed armor:
youtu.be/Dl4jYtLZIJU
How the ballistic gel torso with 3D printed ribcage was made:
youtu.be/fod7UNkaDqM
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #armor #test #fantasy #history #sword
Leather armor is ubiquitous in fantasy worlds and has been criticized for being ineffective in real life. But is it, really? Due to its organic nature, only rare examples of leather armor from history has survived, but we do have some written sources. It was definitely done, although how common it was is a different question.
So let's test how protective it might be. A leather worker sent me a few pieces of wax hardened armor (thanks, Riley!) in different thicknesses to try out (8 oz / 2.5 mm, 10 oz / 4.5 mm, and a combination of the two).
Working my way up from small knives to swords, from cuts to thrusts.
Previous videos:
Testing Ultra Light, 'Mythril' Style Maille ("Chainmail")
youtu.be/T-u7Ne1sQZQ
Testing a first attempt at 3D printed armor:
youtu.be/Dl4jYtLZIJU
How the ballistic gel torso with 3D printed ribcage was made:
youtu.be/fod7UNkaDqM
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #armor #test #fantasy #history #sword
