Earlier this week we introduced you to the local metalsmith and jeweler who is creating chain mail wardrobe for the Kenai Performers’ upcoming production of “Shrek The Musical.” Robin Lyons takes small c-shaped pieces of wire and intertwines them to create a surface that is designed to be resistant to arrows, sword blows and knife cuts - though for Shrek, very little of that is actually expected.
In the real world though, knife cuts aren’t that uncommon, especially during such common local activities as filleting salmon and halibut. Which gave Lyons an idea.
“It came up real easy. I had some friends come up from the Lower 48 and they were fishing with some other people and they filleted their hand real bad," Lyons said. "And I was talking about it with a friend and he told me about a glove they make that has the chain mail palm. And I looked it up online for $220 to buy it. And I was like, ‘You know I can make some like that.’”
So he took some run-of-the-mill white cotton gloves often seen on the hands of folks cleaning fish, and experimented.
“I just ran a couple of these jump rings through it to tie together and just did this pattern in the palm of the glove," he said. "And it took a little bit of nerve but I stood there and actually ran the fillet knife over it a few times and what are you know I didn't cut myself.”
Lyons says he then had a charter boat skipper try them out.
“He bought the whole set for me and has told me he just loves me wants more. I'm hoping to get a whole chain of those going for local businesses around here," he said. "I mean, where else do you go to fish in the world?”
In addition to making chain mail gear for fishing and the Shrek play, Lyons creates a wide range of jewelry as well. His company, R-L Jewelry and Chainmaille, can be found online.
