Scutum design question

[Hibernicus]

I used to be a proponent of the black iron look since the iron sheet comes off the forge black and takes a great deal of work to remove it. (try polishing your cast tron skillet with a piece of wool and some talc) In our experiences a black seg that's been waxed and oiled or just oiled reflects light like a mirror , much like the way a window with a dark background or interior can act like a mirror and reflect light. Don't have to believe me; seeing is believing; its been debated ad infinitum elsewhere.

We're doing some experiments with tinning HR steel (hot rolled) .. see how well it adheres, and soon with some forged iron sheet.

However, we are now tinning a great deal of our gear. It solves the problems of "shiny armor" , the labor required to keep bare iron rust free and the quantity of oil needed to protect it..