For the price, these pauldrons CAN'T BE BEAT! Super-tough 16 ga. steel, strong, thick strapping, fool-proof construction. The only *possible* downside I see is that due to the way the lower canon is built, these *might not* be the best choice for those with large biceps. They *could* be bent outward slightly for larger biceps though---but this IS 16 ga. steel, so it won't be easy. But...if you have muscles THAT BIG...no prob. :D I have zero doubt that these would fend off even a heavy sword strike...just as they were meant to do originally. Excellent armor!!!