Hand-Forged Riveting Pliers for Chainmail Armour

Hand-Forged Riveting Pliers for Chainmail Armour

Functional Design for Precise Riveting

These pliers are hand-forged from steel, giving them not only a period-correct look but also the necessary strength for the job. Their jaws are specially shaped for riveting chainmail: one jaw has a small divot to securely seat the round head of the rivet, while the other jaw has a hole for the rivet shank to pass through. This design allows you to firmly squeeze the riveted ring and prepare the shank for the final peening with a hammer.

How to Make Your Own Chainmail

With these pliers, the process of riveting rings becomes much more manageable. They are ideal for working with flat riveted rings and corresponding round-head rivets (recommended size 6 mm). The process is straightforward:

1. Weave an open riveted ring through the rings you wish to connect.
2. Insert a rivet into the small hole in the ring's overlapping ends.
3. Grasp the connection with the pliers so that the rivet head fits into the divot in the jaw.
4. Squeeze firmly—this step secures the rivet in place.
5. Finally, peen the rivet's shank, which protrudes through the hole in the other jaw, using a small hammer on a solid surface.

This makes the tool indispensable for anyone wanting to craft their own chainmail shirt (hauberk), coif, gauntlets, or any other piece of riveted armour.

Riveted Armour in History

The creation of chainmail was a highly specialized craft in the Middle Ages. Armourers, known as "mail-makers," spent countless hours meticulously linking thousands of individual rings. Each ring had to be individually riveted to provide the best possible protection against slashing and piercing weapons. It was this riveting process that distinguished high-quality, reliable armour from cheaper but less secure "butted" mail.

Fun Fact: The Strength of a Rivet

Why was riveted mail so superior? While simple butted rings could be forced open by a strong blow, a riveted ring formed a solid, closed loop. This dramatically increased the armour's resilience and the wearer's chance of survival in battle. An investment in riveted mail was an investment in one's own life.

Care for Your Forged Tool

As these pliers are made of steel, it's important to protect them from corrosion. Keep them dry. After use, clean off any dust and debris. For long-term storage, it is recommended to lightly coat them with a thin layer of oil (such as linseed, mineral, or gun oil) to prevent rust and maintain their functionality.

Product Specifications