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Personally, I prefer the clean and simple lines of the Hersir to the 'busier' hilt outlines of Patrick Barta's custom swords. I appreciate the workmanship from a technical perspective, but those swords seem to be more of status symbols than weapons. Just look at this pommel...
Some guy on myArmoury did a bunch of tests on the effectiveness of maille. The tests were not conducted with any sort of scientific rigour, but the results are still a good baseline.
myArmoury.com - Riveted Maille and Padded Jack Tests (very photo intensive)