Greek Bronze Greaves

[Chris B]

It is thinner plate. I am still not quite sure. I plan on annealing it more often for starters. Can you see the curve of the bone in the center of the greave curving to the center of the knee? It looks like there is a natural path down the center that I think I will set in the metal first. Then I think I will draw the exact surface area of the knee and partially start the dish.

Then I will probable start curving it around the calf inch by inch checking fit every bend. So basically, I think I am going to start closing it around the leg from center front out to the edges an inch at a time, making absolutely sure the topography of the leg is right as I start to close the next inch behind the previous section.

Then I will finish the knee shape and close the knee's outer edges close to the thigh. I don't know. At this point I am just kind of thinking out loud. I'll dwell on it more over the upcoming week.

Just a thought. Does anyone think the ancients could have made a mold like I did out of clay and poured iron or something hard into the mold? I was wondering if they could have used some sort of metal cast to hammer them out and then melt it back down after they were done to re-use again on someone elses leg. I am sure they could just hammer them out after doing it so many times though. Like I said, just a thought.