A type of
chainmail in which the
links are simply closed or
butted in the weaving
process. The
standard way to make
mail today, as opposed to
rivited mail. Despite what you may
think, butted mail is still quite strong, depending on the
gauge of
wire that you use and the
diameter of the links. The most
common type you will find today is 3/8" 16-gauge
galvanized steel. It has the
tendancy to come apart after some wear. If you own something made of this, be sure to
watch it
carefully and close any open links with two pairs of
pliers.
Stainless steel mail tends to be much
stronger, and while it isn't as good as
high carbon steel, you don't have to keep it
oiled and clean it in a bag of
sand, and unlike galvanized steel, stainless stays a nice
shiny steel-
grey.