This page was created by Zachary Barney. The last update was by Jeffrey Forgeng.
Composite Stechzeug - How Was It Made?
This jousting armor is made from multiple steel plates that were forged into shape and riveted together. Armorers hammered sheets of steel into the shapes of the helmet, the breastplate, and other body parts. The plates are thicker in some areas than in others. For example, the steel in the neck area and upper chest can be 7.2 mm thick, while the steel at the side of the helmet might be only 2.8 mm thick. The thickness of the armor was modified across different areas to maximize safety while minimizing weight. The total weight had to be kept in check to make it comfortable for the knight to wear and for the horse to bear. As much as this armor was used as protection, it still needed to be practical for both the knight and the horse.