It makes me wonder, thinking of this in the context of a D&D fantasy world. If it's SO expensive and difficult to make a suit of full plate armor, but apparently not very difficult at all to enchant some lesser armor, which will then be just as protective as the full plate, why would anyone ever make full plate anymore? If +1 Splint Mail is cheaper and easier to produce than Full Plate, why ever make Full Plate? Why ever wear Full Plate?
That is why even now most people who use armor often prefer to wear splint armor (brigandine/lamellar type) instead of the full plate - it is more affordable, faster constructed, less pretentious.
On the other hand, for the prestige and the looks - nothing beats the full plate. But if you are an adventurer, you are always mindful of your Maserati or Porshe full plate, and recieve both the positive and negative consequences (looks and admiration vs cost and jealosy of criminals).
