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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Jun 28, 2018 14:50:14 GMT
Yes, and YES! I made exactly *ONE* period shield, thinner at the edges, made from clenched planks, hand made boss the works. WOW what a PITA.(pain in the $emprini) And I thought, hey, lets give this a shot and see how it holds up. It lasted 2 minutes. Sooooo, there's something to be said for modern materials and methods. And fyi, lots of our guys are using cabinet grade 1/4" birch plywood, and gluing the pieces themselves. They hold up pretty well. For edging, they get 1/2" sisal or some organic rope, glue it to the edge(contact cement), then cover that in rawhide. There is much talk over pro/con of gluing cloth/leather to the face, for strength, as it adds significant weight... But everyone has to fool with it until they get what works for them.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jun 28, 2018 20:06:58 GMT
That’s a sad story Sir Thorfinn. Am making progress with the edge. Found some manila rope and that appears will protect the edge from wear and have little to no effect on an incoming strike. I spent the last couple of hours or so learning how to mount it. The easiest way to tack it but I am afraid by some freak luck the incoming blade may hit the tack and prevent trapping. I am considering using thread to attach the rope. Tried glue amongst other things. I had trouble making the rope adhere. I think that I could tack it in place until the glue sets but I still question the strength as only the fibres of the manila next to the shield will be affected. But enough of this for today, I need to clean up this mess.
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christain
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Post by christain on Jun 28, 2018 20:15:04 GMT
I plan on using rope that's glued AND tacked. I'll be cutting out the rounds this evening when it FREAKING COOLS OFF.
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Post by pgandy on Jun 28, 2018 21:49:37 GMT
I think I will too. That's much easier than drilling holes and tying. It's siesta time during which I'll think on it more, but I think I'll go that route.
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christain
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Post by christain on Jun 29, 2018 12:45:32 GMT
Well, I got my rounds cut out, and they turned out well---despite the fact that I was using a half-dull jigsaw in 100 degree weather right next to my sister's garden with the sprinklers going full blast. So humid. Tomorrow, I will do the leather wrap on the face of the shield. Photos to come of in-progress work...hopefully.
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Post by pgandy on Jul 1, 2018 17:51:11 GMT
I finished the upgrade, that is I added a border in the form of rope and I got tired of looking at the natural coloured lamb skin grip and dyed it black making it more to my liking. As for the border it is nothing more than manila rope nailed in place. All of this brought the weight up to 5.27 lbs. A bit more than I bargained for, but then I added more than was in the original plan. In the long run I believe the rope, or some type of border, is advisable if longevity is to be considered. I believe in time, not this week or this month, but sometime down the road the wood is going to wear through the canvas and those 90° corners will be a prime spot. The rope does give the shield a more finished appearance. I am considering a carrying strap. Not a guige as such as I see more weight and being less manoeuvrable, but a detachable leather strap. I am thinking along the lines of a leather strap holed at both ends to allow lace to go through. The lace would pass through the handle and secured with a quick release knot. I like my hands free. Completed shield Dyed grip Whipping knots
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jul 1, 2018 17:57:20 GMT
Cool, now you need to raid a little village!
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jul 1, 2018 18:18:21 GMT
That’s tomorrow’s order of the day: Select a small village at random, then rape, pillage, and burn.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jul 1, 2018 18:32:19 GMT
Good morning exercises, keep yourself limberly!
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Post by pgandy on Jul 1, 2018 21:44:20 GMT
Since this is a review section it’s only fitting that I give a review to justify the thread. Just got in from giving the shield a shadow combat session with my Agincourt. Not a pleasant day as I can hear the wind howling some, it’s a bit chilly, and the rains are beginning but I had fun. The shield is proving to be as docile as my buckler, but not as easy to carry although that hasn’t been a problem so far. The planned leather strap should be more comfortable than the cord now attached. I can easily cover my sword hand as in 1.33 although I am not a big fan of that system, and overall it gives me much more protection, probably equalling that of my heater shield although I estimate the surface area less due to the fact it is so fast and manoeuvrable. I get more reach when punching than either of the others offers and it has yet to hit me in the back like the curved heater. So far it appears to be delivering everything that I had hoped for; cheaper than importing, easy to use, good protection, good balance, not mention the fun that I had making it. I am making plans for another of a totally different design but I’ll take a break first, probably adding another couple years as with this one in the making. With the exception of the colour I am most pleased, but then if I painted there would be more weight. I am hoping to do better on the weight on the next one, not that I did badly on this one, coming in at 60% of that of the heater. I like it better than the others I have and is a welcomed addition.
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christain
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Post by christain on Jul 2, 2018 0:01:56 GMT
Nice job! Well done, Sir Gandy. I hope mine turns out that good looking.
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Post by pgandy on Jul 2, 2018 1:39:23 GMT
Thank you Chris.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Jul 5, 2018 12:48:39 GMT
I somehow missed that thread, and as I have been toying with the idea of making a shield myself for some time, this comes quite handy. Very nice work there, thank you for sharing.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jul 5, 2018 13:44:43 GMT
My pleasure.
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Post by pgandy on Jul 8, 2018 21:08:50 GMT
This is the first time I tried cutting and using my round shield. To put it in a nut shell I need more practice as I found it distracting and at first I was holding back then I realized that my technique such as using my fingers was off. What had been habit I now have to think about, but nothing practice won’t fix. Perhaps the mishap in the warm up played a part. I was thrusting and got my timing off; I did not get the shield out of the way before the point passed. I had mixed emotions with the result. I was displeased with myself for such a thing on one hand. On the other I made the shield to trap a blade and that it did. I had to pry the point out. That was a rude reminder that the shield extends past my hand farther than the heater shield. Some sandpaper and stain should make it look better. Bottom line is that I am more satisfied with the XIV and shield than my performance. Videos are great for studying technique. But I saw nothing that practice won’t cure. I had previously only shadow fought with the shield and Agincourt and they react differently. The XIV does feel more thrust orientated than for cutting with the shield but cuts well.
Don’t get the wrong idea about the tunic. It wasn’t for costuming but I was chilly. The temperature was in the high 70s F but windy. In fact it is now howling a little. In addition there was a light rain that the ticos call “el pelo del gato” [the hair of the cat} mixed with it and that is what was making it uncomfortable. I found a corner in my rear patio that was out of it for the video.
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Post by howler on Jul 8, 2018 23:24:10 GMT
This is the first time I tried cutting and using my round shield. To put it in a nut shell I need more practice as I found it distracting and at first I was holding back then I realized that my technique such as using my fingers was off. What had been habit I now have to think about, but nothing practice won’t fix. Perhaps the mishap in the warm up played a part. I was thrusting and got my timing off; I did not get the shield out of the way before the point passed. I had mixed emotions with the result. I was displeased with myself for such a thing on one hand. On the other I made the shield to trap a blade and that it did. I had to pry the point out. That was a rude reminder that the shield extends past my hand farther than the heater shield. Some sandpaper and stain should make it look better. Bottom line is that I am more satisfied with the XIV and shield than my performance. Videos are great for studying technique. But I saw nothing that practice won’t cure. I had previously only shadow fought with the shield and Agincourt and they react differently. The XIV does feel more thrust orientated than for cutting with the shield but cuts well. Don’t get the wrong idea about the tunic. It wasn’t for costuming but I was chilly. The temperature was in the high 70s F but windy. In fact it is now howling a little. In addition there was a light rain that the ticos call “el pelo del gato” [the hair of the cat} mixed with it and that is what was making it uncomfortable. I found a corner in my rear patio that was out of it for the video. I can't see the blade at all before the strike, which seems like quite an advantage.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Jul 9, 2018 23:13:34 GMT
I can't see the blade at all before the strike, which seems like quite an advantage. That's one thing I never considered when using a shield, actually hiding your weapon so your opponent have little to no idea how the strike is coming. Thought for food...
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Post by howler on Jul 15, 2018 20:31:36 GMT
I can't see the blade at all before the strike, which seems like quite an advantage. That's one thing I never considered when using a shield, actually hiding your weapon so your opponent have little to no idea how the strike is coming. Thought for food... Yeah, no telegraph or windup to prepare for. The hand is quicker than the eye if you can't watch the body transfer force to the shoulder, arm, sword. So, a heavy blow coming at a hundredth of a second would be very challenging.
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christain
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Post by christain on Jul 15, 2018 21:00:26 GMT
I'm currently brainstorming on how to make a spring-activated blade that can pop out on my shield. Wouldn't THAT be a nasty surprise!
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christain
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Post by christain on Jul 15, 2018 21:12:53 GMT
Sir Gandy, I guess I owe you an apology for jacking your thread so much. I'll make my own thread when I'm done with mine and the photos turn out. Sorry, my friend. And, I'll say again---yours looks GREAT!
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