So I decided to start a new project. The company that sells all the materials, has a kit for a "Micromaille Dragonscale Tie". Dragonscale referring to the type of weave, and micromaille referring to the fact of how many tiny ass rings it uses.
Decided to include some photos of the beginning, and also included what the kit says it will look like when done. I am currently 9"in of my desired 18" length *pause for sexual innuendo joke* . This thing was a pain in the ass to learn, took my 3 tries to get the weave down, but now that I got it down so its just rinse repeat. The sheer number of rings makes this thing take forever, about 30 hours in. Finally picking up some speed, but not a whole lot.
The wife and I are thinking about making some extras of these to sell, but more than likely the "fine" instead of the "micro" (takes half the amount of rings due to size). So if anyone is interested let me know. Will be posting updates
Starting out
What the finished product is "suppose" to look like.
Will have to snap a pic tonight of current progress. Takes a lot of time but the micromaille has a really cool feel, very flexible, almost feels like a rough fabric.
97 Talon ESi 14.943@91.35MPH N/A! "If you need someone to provide an itemized build of materials and a flowchart to walk you through every build-related question you will need to answer at each step of the process, you shouldn't be playing with cars. "-Driggs
#48857, "RE: Dragonscale Tie (Medieval Corporate)" In response to Reply # 2
For the micromaille I am doing, I would prolly charge $250, I will have close to 60 hours in labor not including cost of materials. I plan on doing a "fine" as opposed to micromaille, slightly larger scales, should cut labor in half, not sure how it will affect appearance. Be looking at $150 for that. The inside ring in this one is black, but can be other colors.
As far as difficulty to "tie" Think of it more as a Necklace. The upper part of the tie, is rolled over chain, to give the illusion of a "knot", and the ends of the "knot" our connected to a chain necklace that will close in the back like a necklace. Hope I am explaining that right.
Want to make sure I can make this thing look nice and legit for myself before I "officially" try to make and sell these.
97 Talon ESi 14.943@91.35MPH N/A! "If you need someone to provide an itemized build of materials and a flowchart to walk you through every build-related question you will need to answer at each step of the process, you shouldn't be playing with cars. "-Driggs
#48858, "RE: Dragonscale Tie (Medieval Corporate)" In response to Reply # 3 Jan-23-14 01:11 PM by Fallen4ng31
Working with chain is fun. I've done a couple of tunics and coifs/gorgets over the years for myself and various SCA friends. I've never worked with rings quite that small before though.
You'll have some stiff competition at that price point, though. Unicorn's garden and a few other specialty retailers already sell these. (Ring size is quite a bit larger, though) The price points on those tend to start around $50.
#48859, "RE: Dragonscale Tie (Medieval Corporate)" In response to Reply # 4
And you hit the nail on the head Paul. Size of the ring makes a huge difference. That and of course the complexity of the weave and the material its being made out of all affect price. If I was using a decent size ring, and a standard 4-1 weave I bet I could sell these for like ~$50-60. I have seen Dragonscale bracelets on sales for around 60-$75 (although some reaching double that) price point. Considering I would be doing twice the length of the bracelet on average, along with a "knot" and a chain necklace, I feel the price is fair.
Granted it is a high, price if you do the match labor comes out to ~$3 an hour.
Paul you said you have done tunics and etc, off-topic, but do you have any pics? I am working on a Scalemail vest, this is my first chain project I have done. I find it relaxing, and get to do something I enjoy.
97 Talon ESi 14.943@91.35MPH N/A! "If you need someone to provide an itemized build of materials and a flowchart to walk you through every build-related question you will need to answer at each step of the process, you shouldn't be playing with cars. "-Driggs
#48862, "RE: Dragonscale Tie (Medieval Corporate)" In response to Reply # 6
After weeks of back breaking labor (no seriously i feel like an old man with my back, its crazy) I should be done with this project hopefully tonight. Little sneak peak now, the of the beginning of the knot.
97 Talon ESi 14.943@91.35MPH N/A! "If you need someone to provide an itemized build of materials and a flowchart to walk you through every build-related question you will need to answer at each step of the process, you shouldn't be playing with cars. "-Driggs
#48864, "RE: Dragonscale Tie (Medieval Corporate)" In response to Reply # 8 Feb-05-14 08:55 AM by Fotowntalon
Without further ado, I present to you
(back of the knot)
97 Talon ESi 14.943@91.35MPH N/A! "If you need someone to provide an itemized build of materials and a flowchart to walk you through every build-related question you will need to answer at each step of the process, you shouldn't be playing with cars. "-Driggs