Chain mail armor is a light armor, as compared to other types. Correctly made, chain mail can be of great defense in a fight. The metal links can block slashes easily, and on some occasions have blunted, bent, or snapped blades used in a stab. They are also quite good for stopping arrows, as long as the arrow does not hit directly on, but hits bent slightly to the side. Of course, because the chain mail is made with linked rings, instead of solid plates, there are holes in the defense. If the mail is correctly made, these holes will be small enough that only by extreme luck will even a knife fit through.

Chain mail must be made from some type of wire. A steel or iron wire will provide the best defense, anything weaker will be too weak to stop a blow. Tempering steel mail afterwards will make it much harder.

Now for the rings. The ring size will depend upon the material used. Of course, large rings won't stop a knife stab, small rings will. For 14g wire, three eighths of an inch should be the inside diameter, 16g wire should have 5/16 of an inch for the inside diameter. 14g wire makes stronger rings than 16g, but 16g makes smaller rings, and these can be handy in knife fights. Remember, though, that chain mail, though light compared to other armor, is heavy. A short-sleeved shirt of 14g 3/8" rings can weigh 35 to 50 pounds. Ever tried knife-fighting with a small child clinging to your back? It will take time and practice to be able to move quickly with chain mail on.

To make the rings, one must first coil a wire around a rod. The wire should be in the shape of a spring when it is done. The spring can be coiled in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction, but be sure that all springs are coiled in the same direction. Then cut the spring apart in a ring shape. (If this cuts too easily, you might want to think about how well it will block a knife. If its hard, its good.) Once this is done, close up half the rings and leave half open wide. To make the pattern, basically string 20 finished rings onto a wire bent so that rings do not slide off. Take 20 finished rings and 20 open rings and add two finished rings to one open. Then, beginning at the left of the wire, place that ring through the two first finished ones and close it. Add one closed ring to each open ring and connect that ring to 3 rings in the pattern, in a 4 in 1 pattern- each ring has 4 weaves attached to it. Using this pattern any part of the body can be covered with chain mail. When this is done, you may want to temper the mail so that it will be stronger. Then, admire your work!