Harry watched Kvothe with a neutral expression, then it brightened at the idea of sharing magical processes. Dresden was good at protecting himself but he'd never pass up on picking up more knowledge about these things. Bob would be pleased Harry gave him new information, rather than digging about for old stuff. Assuming Bob didn't already know, which was a small chance in hell.
"Yeah, gold's kind of out of the question in these designs. I don't have the funds for that and stealing's bad." He gave him a look, then indicated the oldest of his designs. "These are meant to stop physical and magical attacks, like I said. This one didn't stop heat and it.. went badly for my hand," he indicated his left hand which still hadn't acquired full functionality but was more than a useless appendage hanging from the end of his wrist these days.
"I can manifest the shields without the bracelet, but I kinda do it better when I've got foci to funnel the energy through," he said honestly. "They're all tools to the trade. I can't include iron in the design anymore because it really freaking hurts me when it touches me. The brass is used to deflect negative energy; if another wizard or sorcerer is attacking the brass based shield won't let it get through but sends it back out. The copper's a necessary foundation to the bracelet, and it's used to direct energy and that's what creates the shield with the bracelet as the focus. Without it it would lack a lot of its vigor and stability. Also, I can't hold it as long without it or shape it as well I'd like to. Nickel on the other hand adds the extra kick in the pants. It funnels energy into the shield itself, and it's the bastard that'll sap at your storage like a leak in the pipes, but necessary because it works in other.. dimensions. It'll work in the Nevernever and it'll work against heat. Silver is neutral, but also absorbs the shock so shields don't shatter on impact. At least not initially, as they can be broken with enough force."