If anyone is interested in making leather body armour. I have made a steel template that an be used to cut out individual lamellae (scales). These are based on historical patterns that were common in many cultures (including Asian, Mongolian, Viking and Eastern European). You basically put the template on the leather and cut around it with a craft knife. Every plate is the same shape and size!
Note: this image is shown sideways
I made eight scales, drilled holes and laced them together in about ten minutes. All the plates for a complete leather lamellar could probably be made in a couple of hours and only requires a craft knife, cordless drill or hole punch and a ball of cord. Probably a couple of buckles as well. This is a really good way to use up scraps and leftovers of heavy leather.
This is the style Iād aim for:
If anyone is interested in doing this kind of armour, contact me.
Images stolen from skornictwo.pl/english/armours_1.htm