|
Post by ShooterMike on Jan 27, 2007 4:20:14 GMT
Paul Chen/Hanwei Buckler I moved this into the Reviews area as I wanted to add a bit to this and sort of "flesh out" the information. Here are some pictures of the "cutest lil' bit o' armor" I have in my collection. It's what I call a "mini-buckler" from Paul Chen/Hanwei. I saw this on the Bladematrix website ( www.bladematrix.tv) for about $12.50. It has gone up to a big whopping $15.63 now, so look out. It might break the bank. - Click for fullsize imageDesignThis buckler is made from steel and brass. The rimmed cup is steel and has a brass center button and brass rim. Both are solidly riveted to the cup. The handle is composed of two hardwood slabs attached to a steel center bar with brass rivets. the center bar is also riveted to the domed cup. The handle has a nice taper and is about 50% thicker in the center, and tapers to both ends. TestingI did a bit of testing on this little gem to see how well it was made. The metal appears to be thick and resilient. I've landed forceful blows on it with both the sharp edge and the spine of my Paul Chen Banshee sword. In doing this I learned several things of interest. First, the steel is pretty well tempered and hardened. The sharp edge didn't leave any discernible marks other than a few scuff marks. The spine left a few very small dents in both the buckler and the blade. While testing with the sharp edge of the blade, I realized something I'm sure it by design. The brass button and the brass rim are soft and catch the edge, rather than letting it slide off the dome. This is very handy, as it allows you to stop a blade and shove it away rather than just experiencing a sliding impact. This seems to be a very well thought out design. I wish Hanwei made a larger buckler and domed round shield from this same material. In any case, for the price I can't see why anyone who's interested in sword and buckler wouldn't want one to try out. One of the first thoughts I had after handling it was "Wow! The ultimate boxing glove. I should buy another, so I'll have a pair." Different angles being held while wearing MRL mail-n-armor gauntlet:
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2007 4:44:53 GMT
Stop giving me ideas! It's bad enough I'm dropping a mess of money for a rapier (a gift for a friend)...
|
|
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 2,088
|
Post by admin on Jan 27, 2007 13:51:27 GMT
One of the first thoughts I had after handling it was "Wow! The ultimate boxing glove. I should buy another, so I'll have a pair." I think you've just invented a rather unique (and somewhat hilarious to visualize) medieval fighting style...! ;D ;D LOL!
|
|
|
Post by ShooterMike on Feb 21, 2007 3:07:46 GMT
Bump. Just added info above and fleshed out into more of a review.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2007 23:13:02 GMT
Mike that looks good. Pesonaly I prefer larger shields in battle situations. Not bad for $15. If nothing else you can use it as a bos for a regular shield. I made a 15 inch buckler for use with my rapier. I think the buckler makes more sence in town setting because it is convinant and you can hook it to your belt. The one I made weighs 2 lbs 2 oz. I used a heater shape because the edges and corners can be parry just by rotating the wrist. No need to move the whole buckler. The grip is slightly closer to the top so the bottom point shoots out to the side if I rotate. The ropes used to hold the edge protection in place also provide a means for the buckler to grip the blade. Notice the "natural stance" below, leading leg on the sword arm side. Notice the "refused stance" below, leading leg on the buckler side. This stance is more defensive and more common when using a buckler. When your opponent gets use to your shorter range, you can then switch up on him and get extra reach.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2007 4:17:31 GMT
I think the idea behind such a tiny buckler would be to use it to bat away your opponent's blade (just a theory on my part). It would essentially be just a little extra armor for your hand. I'm glad to see you got it at bladematrix, Mike. I've had nothing but good experiences with them. Even when I got the 1796 that I wasn't happy with, I just boxed it back up, took it to the UPS Store, and shipped it back. I also called them just to be sure everything was going smoothly, and I talked to Kendall Dickerson, the owner. He's a hell of a nice guy and gave me no grief whatsoever on the return and subsequent refund. Top quality customer service.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2007 14:13:07 GMT
I tend to agree that the historicaly accurate buckler pictured above by Mike seems like hand protection. It makes me think that making contact with an incomming sword is kind of like hitting a ball with a baseball bat. After thinking about this some more, I think that the main advantage of a small buckler is that you can hold it out fully extended without getting tired. That is how I use it in rapier fencing, it should hold true with an arming sword. In that position you are holding it near your opponants sword at the point where his attack will originate. So regardless of if he is plans to hit your head or your legs, the blow will originate from the shoulder so with the buckler fully extended you can cover high and low hits at that point. This approch will be bit harder with a longsword. I can see a cross-strike with the false edge getting around the buckler no mater what you do given the longer blade and more angulated strikes. I will have to do some more practice and experimentation.
Some historical bucklers were as larger as 18 inch diameters. Which takes on some of the defensive characteristics of a full size shield.
|
|
|
Post by ShooterMike on Mar 7, 2007 15:15:33 GMT
Yep, hand protection in two ways.
Take a look at the I.33 manuscript on sword and buckler. A number of drawings show using the buckler to shield the sword hand while striking. I beleive the prevailing thought is that small bucklers were used both "shield-like" and as sort of an early baskethilt guard to protect the sword hand during a strike.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2007 16:10:15 GMT
I was going to mention I.33 but forgot. I have been unable to reproduce that method of covering the hand effectivly while stiking and also covering other vital areas of the body. Using the buckler just to cover the hand leaves a lot of other things exposed. I think that if you don't stop the sword at its point of origin or close, it is traveling too fast and can fake up, down and around. It is kind of using it like basket hilt on a sword for defence. I use a basket hilted sword when fighting and at times I do use the basket hilt for defence especial the head which is exposed above the shield. I would be very vulnerable without the sheild though. I have long suspected that I.33 is a very small component of a much broader fighting system. The focus of I.33 is covering the hand but I think there has to be more then that. I definetly feel that we have much to re-discover about using the buckler.
My other thought on defence with the buckler is that it is beter to catch an incomming sword at its hilt where it is moving slower, can be visualy tracked better and also has less force. This further supports the concept of extending and closing in.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2007 18:56:06 GMT
Interesting points, Bill. The interesting thing about the buckler is that it was used continuously over a period of several hundred years, so it would probably have been used in a slightly different manner with each successive generation of fighters as new techniques and sword types were added to the old.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2007 20:35:55 GMT
Interesting points, Bill. The interesting thing about the buckler is that it was used continuously over a period of several hundred years, so it would probably have been used in a slightly different manner with each successive generation of fighters as new techniques and sword types were added to the old. I was not aware of that. I thought that the buckler was 14th and 15th century and a result of improvements in armor on the battlefield. Does anyone know what and where the earliest referece to the buckler is?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2007 3:04:40 GMT
Well, bucklers are mentioned in I.33, which is circa late 1200's-early 1300's, and the buckler continued to be used well into the 17th Century. I don't know of an earlier reference, though, sorry. I would imagine, however, that the buckler was an established piece of gear by the time it was included in I.33, possibly being used at least since maybe 1200 or so. A bit of speculation on my part, I admit.
|
|
Razor
Member
Review Points: 55
Today is tomorrow but not yet yesterday
Posts: 501
|
Post by Razor on Mar 18, 2007 20:20:03 GMT
I have the same punch buckler you have Mike. I really love mine. I got mine from Age of Chivalry at a ren faire. You can hold a dagger with the buckler if you want to. I like holding mine with my katar(Indian push dagger) they work good together. How do you like your MRL mail-n-armor gauntlets Mike? I have been interested in them for awhile now.
|
|
|
Post by ShooterMike on Mar 18, 2007 23:36:56 GMT
I have the same punch buckler you have Mike. I really love mine. I got mine from Age of Chivalry at a ren faire. You can hold a dagger with the buckler if you want to. I like holding mine with my katar(Indian push dagger) they work good together. How do you like your MRL mail-n-armor gauntlets Mike? I have been interested in them for awhile now. I like the MRL maille gauntlets very well. They are supple in the palm and seem sturdy everywhere else. They run big so I had to get a size small. And medium size work gloves fit me fairly tight. They fit so well and allow for such a degree of dexterity I have used them instead of my nomex flight gloves for firearms training. They allow the manipulation of a pistol without any problem (if you're used to shooting with gloves). And I really like using them when testing a new sword, because...well...I'm kind of clumsy sometimes.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2007 19:37:54 GMT
Fully Armored Buckler Boxing!
|
|
|
Post by tajima on May 6, 2007 7:12:18 GMT
Hahah I can see it now... Won't be long before they use it in jousting. Lol! Short range, anyone?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 19, 2007 6:16:04 GMT
I just found this Mini Buckler at a knife store in the mall! Someone ordered it and never picked it up, so I think I'll use it for a boss on a homemade Viking Shield - pics to come!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2007 22:31:04 GMT
So here it is! The buckler is mini no more! The outer rim is a 3/4" peice of copper pipe (the most expensive peice of the sheild) pounded flat and screwed with brass screws. I know, I know, it's not historically accurate, but I don't care - after all, I own the Cold Steel Viking! I think it looks pretty good, the brown paint soaked in after one coat and ended up looking like a hide, so I left it! This sheild now weighs in at about 10-12 Lbs, and my main problem was the skinny handle of the buckler. With the added weight and torque of a 30" diameter, my knuckles were against the inside of the boss, so I added a peice of wood chiseled out to fit snug against the old handle, and strapped some leftover copper over it to hold it in. (didn't want to glue it to the buckler) The rounded part of the copper feels really comfy, but I think I'll wrap it in some leather, just to make sure the wood stays in, and that I don't get a sliver. All in all, a pretty kick-ass sheild, and cost under $100 CDN! (the copper was $40, the buckler $35, hardware and tax probably $25, but I do have some leftovers for another!)
|
|
|
Post by rammstein on May 25, 2007 23:02:41 GMT
|
|
|
Post by ShooterMike on May 26, 2007 1:02:14 GMT
Sandman,
That is a great looking shield. After hearing about this idea I had been seeing something very similar in my mind's eye. Great job!
|
|