> > Not really. Bronze is *quite* brittle and not very maleable. When worked
> > into fine shapes it tends to snap and shatter, which is why earlier
> > armours were plates and scales rather than mail. Only when the much
> > more readily worked (if not smelted) iron became readily available did
> > mail make its appearance on the battle field.
> >
> > However, I do recall that gloranthan bronze is specifically more
> > maleable than the earthly equivalent, hence the use in swords and the
> > like without troubles.
> >
> > Jeff
>
> I'll have to research this again. Last time I cheked I found out that
> bronze was actually better than it's rep for both weapons and armor.
>
> And I for one like the fact that bronze weapons and armor occasionally
> breaks. Makes the iron gear all the more wanted.
>
> -Adept
I have a little bit of personal experience in the matter, having spent a lot of time with the wonderful world of metallurgy. its something you get into when your a geologist.
Though, I admit, we did set fire to the supply shed when we were trying to smelt some steel some iron using a medieval stoke and pump method. It takes a finer hand and steadier nerves than I have! Next time, I'll just cook the iron in a charcoal pit. Eyebrows grow back.
Bronze is very brittle stuff to work with. And if it is taken down to anyhing below about a 8 guage wire, it breaks very, VERY easily. IN fact, I'd have a lot of trouble figuring out how to draw a wire of bronze readily without it snapping off very easily. The Iron age revolutionized things because its as easy to work with as copper but far harder and durable.
Iron is mankind's pet. Bronze is much more of a bugger to work with.
Jeff
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