Silk has been used this way too, I believe.
There may be some advantage in the relative softness too, relative to iron. When something bangs into it, it will not transmit all the shock through to the body but will absorb some by deforming.
There may be some advantage in the relative softness too, relative to iron. When something bangs into it, it will not transmit all the shock through to the body but will absorb some by deforming.
That's a really big deal for avoiding infection.