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Post by johnapsega on Dec 10, 2010 1:10:26 GMT
I know we always talk about heraldry on later European Shields but where did the designs come from for viking shields. Was it like heraldry or for clans or just a personal preference. Also if anyone can add a tutorial on how to make one I would be greatly appreciative I want to make one and I know its not historically accurate but I want to use one sheet of plywood. I was thinking of doing this www.yeoldegaffers.com/project_shield.asp but I don't know where to find canvas for cheap and I don't know if that method would work with a round shield. Any input would be greatly appreciated. |
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Post by Tendrax on Dec 10, 2010 1:58:41 GMT
That method should work, in theory. Just keep in mind that viking shields had a hole under the boss and just a wooden handle running across that hole, and not the multiple arm straps that kite/heater shields have. A lot of good information and pictures on viking shields can be found here at Hurstwic's website. Not a how to on making one, mind you, just information on how they were constructed, used, etc. There's also a lot of good photos of accurate replicas. [EDIT: I managed to find one tutorial on how to make one. It doesn't have the lining on the front, but is otherwise fairly accurate. you can look at it here.Also, the only information I know about the designs is that red supposedly meant that you had hostile intentions, other than that I think It was just whatever they thought looked cool. I'm not 100% on that though, so someone more knowledgeable(like SanMarc) might be able to chime in on that.] |
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SanMarc
Senior Forumite
Posts: 3,193
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Post by SanMarc on Dec 10, 2010 21:02:24 GMT
Well yep, red for war and white for peace was mentiond in the Vinland saga when the Norse contacted the scrailings or native amaercans, The rest is lost to history and the christan conversion, so I would say that tribal designs and personal designs would be the norm, the Norse did not go by surnames intill after the conversion, so having a coat of armes was moot.
The way the sheilds were made came in to types, the war sheild, and the Hamingaja one for personal Duels, you would have three for the duels, You would def want your war sheild to last the whole battle!!!!
The way they were made was so they can be moved with the incoming blow, not the stop the blow, that is why they only had the handel and not a arm strap, you cant deflect the blow with it straped to your arm.
And with the face made up of multi boards, you could turn it so the stike would hit across the grain and bounce off.
.....Hope that helps some....SanMarc.
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Post by johnapsega on Dec 11, 2010 4:08:41 GMT
Very much so. So if a build a shield out of plywood what kind of shield would it be closest to? how could I possibly rim the shield itself? Also where can I find canvas and what can I use as a bar to hold the shield? How would I mount it.
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ghost
Member
Posts: 1,331
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Post by ghost on Dec 11, 2010 21:28:16 GMT
not sure about the first since I am not a shield enthusiast. You can rim the shield with a long piece of leather folded over the edge and held at intervals by studs. You can find canvas at art stores strung out on blank wooden frames for oil paintings. (Micheals etc.) I would recommend butchering it from an oil canvas since they are treated white /extremely durable and are made for heavy paints (whatever design you want to put on). Bosses are on KoA sold by themselves last time I checked.
I have seen heavy leather straps (which I like the best) for holding/gripping but you could also go with lightweight metals such as handles used on shed doors (Home depot).
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Post by Tendrax on Dec 11, 2010 23:02:12 GMT
The most accurate handle would be a strait piece of wood, shaped to fit your hand and nailed to the ply wood. Like this:  That doesn't seem like it would be too hard to me. Just get a pocket knife and some sandpaper or a file. Might take you an hour or something, but I think it'd be a lot better than leather(not stiff enough), and more comfortable/lighter than metal. Then you just nail it to the ply wood, bend over the bits of nail sticking out the other side and hammer them flat. |
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Post by johnapsega on Dec 12, 2010 0:58:50 GMT
yea that sounds easy enough should I even use the canvas or is that to much of a bother.
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Post by Tendrax on Dec 12, 2010 3:04:22 GMT
It's up to you. From what I know they weren't always covered, but it does add some durability to the shield, holding it together if it does get cracked or something under use. I probably wouldn't bother personally, unless I was planning to really use it for heavy duty reenactment combat.
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Post by johnapsega on Dec 12, 2010 3:23:43 GMT
Im not planning on using it for any reenacting just for show and drill work and my kit that im putting together.
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