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Post by csills2313 on Apr 8, 2019 23:58:43 GMT
Good afternoon everyone. My New Viking shield came today. It is quite heavy and looks very good. While unpacking I noticed that it was coated in some type of grease or lubricant of some type. I wonder if it is really tough enough to be used in combat. It’s the Gokstadt model
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 9, 2019 1:25:13 GMT
It’s a good looking shield and appears rugged. Looks like it will be a hand full. My heater is something just over 9 lbs. but I could use my whole forearm to support it and I found it heavier than my liking, so I made a round one at 5 lbs and I could handle it much better.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Apr 9, 2019 12:17:18 GMT
I'm looking at it and thinking like pgandy. Weight. With just a center grip and no arm strapping, it may feel hard to manage. The oil/grease/whatever is just to protect it during transport. Don't see why the maker would put it all over the whole thing though.
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Post by csills2313 on Apr 9, 2019 15:20:38 GMT
I found it listed on KOA. It is heavy and solid. Funny thing is it does not feel awkward when I wield it, just heavy. If I exercise with it some I am sure that I will become used to it much like I did when first practicing with my medieval longswords. Once I strengthened the muscles in my forearms, wrists and shoulders, they do not seem that heavy at all.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 9, 2019 16:08:22 GMT
I have an idea that as well as my heater were designed for re-enactors to use repeatedly and stand up to the abuse. I think mine will stop anything up to a bullet and ask for more. No doubt with exercise it will become easier to use. I found this true with swords and my heater.
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Post by csills2313 on Apr 9, 2019 17:34:48 GMT
It’s a good looking shield and appears rugged. Looks like it will be a hand full. My heater is something just over 9 lbs. but I could use my whole forearm to support it and I found it heavier than my liking, so I made a round one at 5 lbs and I could handle it much better. According to KOA the one I bought is just over 9 lbs. www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SNS2114&name=Large+Dark+Ages+Viking+Shield
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Post by nerdthenord on Apr 12, 2019 18:09:00 GMT
That’s cool. I need to eventually get a shield for my Viking loadout.
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Ifrit
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Post by Ifrit on Apr 25, 2019 23:36:38 GMT
I too would like a viking shield. Might make myself one some day. I wanna be able to make quite a few of them
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Apr 26, 2019 0:24:48 GMT
If I EVER get finished with the shield I'm building, I'll do a write-up. I need to start taking pictures now, while it's still unassembled. Building your own is really pretty easy, but it also depends on how nuts you want to go with it. Mine is going to be pretty straight-forward. GDFB 14ga. steel boss, scrap piece of 3/4" plywood, the rest from the hardware store and Walmart. The leather I'm using to cover the face is the most expensive part of the whole thing, and I got that for a STEAL. It may not wind up being the prettiest thing around, but I guarantee it will be ultimately functional. (And it'll look badass hanging under my Cawood. )
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Ifrit
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Post by Ifrit on Apr 26, 2019 0:48:30 GMT
If I EVER get finished with the shield I'm building, I'll do a write-up. I need to start taking pictures now, while it's still unassembled. Building your own is really pretty easy, but it also depends on how nuts you want to go with it. Mine is going to be pretty straight-forward. GDFB 14ga. steel boss, scrap piece of 3/4" plywood, the rest from the hardware store and Walmart. The leather I'm using to cover the face is the most expensive part of the whole thing, and I got that for a STEAL. It may not wind up being the prettiest thing around, but I guarantee it will be ultimately functional. (And it'll look badass hanging under my Cawood. ) Yea I'm gonna build a budget shield too haha. Maybe even more so than yours, with plywood and cloth glued on, and a GDFB boss
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Apr 26, 2019 0:54:08 GMT
Cloth will do fine and it's easy to paint on. I'll be using an old, very thick curtain as my main backing. Maybe a piece of leather or fur for arm padding.
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Ifrit
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Post by Ifrit on Apr 26, 2019 1:06:58 GMT
Cloth will do fine and it's easy to paint on. I'll be using an old, very thick curtain as my main backing. Maybe a piece of leather or fur for arm padding. Been debating what sort of shield I wanna make. Viking is best for ease of making. Easier than an accurate La Tene
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Zen_Hydra
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Apr 26, 2019 2:10:18 GMT
Cloth will do fine and it's easy to paint on. I'll be using an old, very thick curtain as my main backing. Maybe a piece of leather or fur for arm padding. Been debating what sort of shield I wanna make. Viking is best for ease of making. Easier than an accurate La Tene There is no shame in starting with an easier project before tackling something more difficult. Building a viking shield could be valuable experience and practice for a La Tene style shield. I haven't even seen a La Tene style boss for sale anywhere.
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Ifrit
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More edgy than a double edge sword
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Post by Ifrit on Apr 26, 2019 2:12:33 GMT
Been debating what sort of shield I wanna make. Viking is best for ease of making. Easier than an accurate La Tene There is no shame in starting with an easier project before tackling something more difficult. Building a viking shield could be valuable experience and practice for a La Tene style shield. I haven't even seen a La Tene style boss for sale anywhere. Yea me neither. Seems like most just use a regular boss or make their own. The former would be in my skill range lol
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Apr 26, 2019 19:14:42 GMT
Problems I see with that shield: (from a re-enactor and heavy use standpoint) 1. the edges of the hole for your hand grip need rounded. That is sharp enough that a hard hit could cause a pressure laceration to your wrist. 2. Handle is wood. I've seen these break all too often. Having one split in your hand will be splinter0iffic. Happened to me...and many others.
So the weight is about re-enactor level, somewhat heavy compared to period, but you NEED weight to stop the physics of many blows, so feather light is bad. True story...a friend with more money than sense made one out of thin sheet titanium, had a titanium pipe welded to the edge so it was roundish, and used it for SCA stuff. He retired it, because he determined a 3lb shield was far too light, (30" round) and the darn thing rang like a church bell every hit... IMO there is a range to the weight, much like a heater shield, it needs some , too much is bad, and too little is bad.
Just my .02
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Post by joeybones on Apr 27, 2019 14:37:10 GMT
I made one for my 11 year old using a 2x2 foot 1/4" fiberboard from the home depot ($3.74) and a dog bowl from the dollar store . Painted it black and yellow with latex paint left over from other projects.
unfortunately I'm not smart enough to transfer the photo
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Apr 27, 2019 16:01:09 GMT
I made one for my 11 year old using a 2x2 foot 1/4" fiberboard from the home depot ($3.74) and a dog bowl from the dollar store . Painted it black and yellow with latex paint left over from other projects. unfortunately I'm not smart enough to transfer the photo There ya go! A man after my own heart! I've made wall hanger shields the SAME WAY. Dog bowls make pretty good center bosses...from a distance...and in a non-combat perspective.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 27, 2019 16:21:18 GMT
I made one a while back and like it better than my store bought ones although the buckler is a different animal, intended for carry more than protection. Mine was made with combat in mind which I believe would have different requirements than for re-enacting. I would say that one made for re-enacting should be stronger and more durable all of which equals more weight. Such a shield would be subject to countless blunt strikes, transferring the energy. I believe my commercially made heater as well as most commercial shields are made with this in mind. Mine weighs in at 5 # almost on the head and has a diameter of 23” and centre griped. I can flip it around about as well as my 12”, 14 ga. steel buckler. It is intended to be cut if the edge is presented in order to trap a blade, otherwise it should stop the strike cold. I don’t believe shields of old were intended to last like the people today tend to expect of them. There is a story of Vikings given three shields each to fight a duel, and what the heck if need be pick up another on the battle field. If I make another, which is on the back of my mind, I might break the corners to have less stress on the covering in that area although I have experienced no such problem so far. I did cover the edge with a rope to act as a bumper or buffer to reduce wear. And occasionally when in close quarters such as walking down a hallway I’ll feel the edge brushing against the wall which by this time I am sure with no rope and square corners the canvas covering at some point(s) would start showing fraying. I did wrap the handle with leather which will strengthen it but was put on to provide a more positive grip area as it became somewhat smooth after sanding. sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/54709/new-centre-grip-shield
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Apr 27, 2019 16:55:11 GMT
AH...forgot to mention... If you want a long wood handle, make it from split rattan, I'll try to post a picture of mine. OR...metal with a sandwich of wood custom sanded to what ever shape makes your hand happy. And gods...sand that edge. You will not be happy when it bites you.
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christain
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Post by christain on Apr 27, 2019 16:57:56 GMT
At my job, I'm privy to all kinds of scrap rope and steel chain. I seriously thought about flattening some of the chain and using it as edging for my shield, but the weight would go up considerably. I'll probably use the rope. It would be easier to replace, if need be. I'm not expecting to be attacked by sword-wielding bandits any time soon, but...ya never know. I'm building it as mainly a show-piece, but I'll have the confidence that it can take one hell of a beating and not fail. That and the fact that it's gonna be really purty.
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