Scale Armor & Accuracy

[Kegluneq]

Would it not take much longer to cut scales with a chisel making mass production lose its meaning?

Sim made a curved chisel that enabled him to cut the rounded edge on each scale with a single blow. Using this technique he averaged one and a half minutes for each scale from start to finish.

Worth mentioning that Sim cut the scales to shape first (presumably using shears although it's not clearly stated), using the chisel only for the curved radius. He also doesn't include marking the radius and hole locations on the third experiment timings whereas he does for the earlier experiments. Otherwise, he found that using shears and a file alone was quicker than also using a straight chisel, as well as being simpler. Unless a curved chisel has been found, their existence can't really be surmised on the basis of efficiency alone. When compared to ring mail manufacture, any method of making scale would be quicker.