Sounds like a solid plan. Try using a pattern‑welded core for the armor plates—layered steel and iron with a bit of wrought‑iron filler will give you both strength and flexibility. After each forge‑hardening step, cool slowly in a salt bath or in a thick layer of oak shavings to keep the steel from cracking. And don’t forget to anneal after the final heat treatment; a few hours at a lower temperature will relieve the internal stress and keep the edges sharp. It’s the old ways that let us fight without breaking the frame.