[MR] Re:Heavy Helms and inertia

[Cole]

Hello all, please excuse my jumping in on this one.
I would assume that one could do the math and figure out the force that
actually strikes the head from a sword blow and then figure out how far
that would move the helm.  One would also have to include acceleration
data in the equation though, 50lbs of force moving a 15lb helmet slowly is
not nearly as damaging as the same force moving the helm much faster.  
One
would then need to figure out how this energy would transfer to the head
and neck area of the body.  Of course every helm design would transfer
energy differently as would all the different types of padding and padding
designs.  You would also have to take into account the chin straps (or
lack thereof) to decide where the force actually is applied and then the
torque and also.....well, it just becomes way to complicated.  
I believe if you look at some basic physics you would realize that a
heavier helm requires more force to move it and thus the argument can be
made that this offers more protection than a light helmet.  Then again
once sufficient energy is applied to get the heavier helm moving it would
require more energy to stop the helm...so the argument can be made that a
light helm is better.  From personal experience I like a heavier helm, I
think it is safer.  I also like wearing a stout chin strap and keeping it
tight on my chin.  Just my two cents,
Daemon