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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2009 23:34:49 GMT
Doesn't this mean that the round wooden and leather shields used by Vikings were center gripped? Tsafa, that link you posted for the BMHD doesn't work for me.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2009 5:39:27 GMT
Yeah, BMHD was never a very internet savy company. Mostly old fashion guys.
Here is their phone number 317-931-0561.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2009 22:01:12 GMT
Thank you for the phone number. Do you know if they currently have a website?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2009 23:29:41 GMT
No, I don't think they have one now. I plan to see them in a few weeks at Pennic and I will be sure to semprini at them for not having one.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2009 0:25:30 GMT
Ha ha, alright then. Thank you for the information.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2010 4:09:58 GMT
RESURRECTION Rereading this thread was very educational. I need information regarding shields for SCA combat, and rather than creating a new thread, this one will suffice (provided that the original poster does not mind). First of all, my armor will be relatively common for the 14th century. Of course, some historical exceptions will be made to satisfy SCA safety regulations. I could simply choose a heater shield for "historical accuracy", but I would first like to discuss shields used for SCA combat in general. I am looking for information on particularly effective shields (you can use anything, but user-friendly [beginner-friendly] is another matter), the advantages and disadvantages of different types of shields such as centergrips v. strapped and types like round, oval, rectangular, etc. I am a beginner, so that is something to consider when explaining things to me. I basically want to learn as much as possible by research before I get to actually try out shields, and choose my first shield. As always, your help is greatly appreciated. -Jonathan
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2010 5:16:57 GMT
As a beginner, I highly recommend starting with a strapped heater. Nice and simple and easy to learn the basics. After wielding that a couple years, you should most definitely experiment with other styles. Everything else is much more complicated and not very user-friendly. Of course, if you want to get GOOD at shield work and not pick up any of the bad/lazy habits of the strapped heater, a center-grip round will do nicely...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2010 6:32:05 GMT
We make all our new fighters use small strapped shields. This is VERY user unfriendly, however it does keep you from picking up bad habits you can develop with a large shield like taran or tsafa uses. I also like small shields when fighting one on one. While A large shield is more defensive, I find it gets in my way more then I like for duels...or even small group combat. Now for large group combat, you need a big shield.
As for centergrip or not...I would say for your first shield...probably a bad idea. You won´t have the arm strength for it...and it will have one extra thing for you to worry about in a fight as you switch from straight to flat position. But they are versatile.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2010 16:42:46 GMT
I have only been in armor twice and both times I used a centergrip oval-shaped shield. It didn't feel too unnatural. I did try on a large strapped heater, and while I did not fight with it, it did feel somewhat awkward. I guess that I just feel more "free" when I have a centergrip. I also tried on a small round centergrip about the size of a large buckler. I liked the fact that it granted me good manueverability, but it left me feeling very open to strikes. I still have the large heater (possibly a smaller, medium-sized heater) open as a possibility, and also an oval-shaped centergrip like the one I tried out, as well as the traditional round centergrip used by Northmen. I still want to know more about these different types, what you can do with them, and what you can't. That includes less commonly used ones like square, rectangular, etc. Kite shields supposedly don't provide much protection to the head, but I have seen a few used on youtube videos.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2010 21:29:49 GMT
If your arm didn´t tire out using a large center grip shield, you either 1) used it for a very short time, 2) didn´t use it properly, or 3) your a blacksmith and have blacksmith arms (or work in an ice scream store and use your off hand for scooping for some odd reason...which BTW is a great way to build shield arm muscle and earn some cash when your young ). I´m guessing not option 3 for most people . Like I said, I recommends small shields over large one...and a round or oval vs other shapes. The other shapes gives you corners which lets you be less precise with your shield. This makes you learn bad/lazy habits. Yes a small round shield is like the worst shield you can have, but the pain will make you learn to block faster . If you really prefer the centergrip over strapped, that is a personal choice...me I like strapped better as there is more stability. Then again I punch with my shield pretty often (in SCA at the other guy´s shield to pin...when not doing exactly SCA at other targets ). And large center grip shields have the disadvantage that stabs to the edges of your shield tends to open you up. But for small shields, it´s less of an issue.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2010 1:25:24 GMT
I used the centergrip for under an hour, but it was still a lot longer than five minutes, and my arm did tire a bit. The thing about it that I liked was the ability to use it as a portable wall. About the stability of the shield - Yes, you can try to create an opening by stabbing the edge of the shield, but usually when someone deliberately stabs an experienced fighter's shield, they get hit. However, it makes sense that this would be a bigger disadvantage if you were fighting someone with a polearm. I will eventually become accustomed to the weight of a heavier shield, so that is something to think about. The stability problem would also be worse if you were fighting someone who had a strapped shield and decided to bash your shield (like you say you dod, lol). If I do choose a strapped shield, what do you recommend?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2010 2:38:48 GMT
Actually bashing with a shield is more dangerous against good fighter then the stab. Remember you can stab and still block whatever shot they throw. What I generally do against a large center grip shield is stab the right edge so the shield fold in towards you while blocking your attack in the step in, bash the shield to pin while doing a sloped step and then beating the back of your head till you call good . As for small strapped shield, once again use what is the worst, which is oval or round, so you learn how to be precise with that shield. No sloppy techniques allowed . Although a small round or oval center grip would be okay as well. Once you get that down, then use whatever shield you prefer. Unlearning bad habits is harder then learning properly in the first place.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 7:28:14 GMT
The kites and the protection they offer vary depending on kite style and size. Mine is a (very) large coffin. It offers excellent top-down protection. It does not do so well, however, side to side. Nor will Any kite. They are all slimmer than a heater. Kites involve a great deal of side to side movement for defense, vs the up-down of a heater. They are complex shields. The other big advantage of a kite is that you can make low strikes from behind the shield. Something no other shield style allows. Either the blow is under the shield (a small or round shield) or it's in front (a heater or oval). Losing that inside quarter on the kite lets the blow be directed out of site of the target. But it also opens up you gut more and makes things like the J-strike more viable against you.
Basically, Kites mandate an open shield position. Heaters allow a closed position. Genter-grip, especially round, require a forward position.
Forward is a proactive defensive position; closed is more a static position with options for being aggressive; open tries to split the difference and adds an increase to offensive options. It's not used very often, but when it is, the guy using it either is Bad or Good. No mediocre allowed.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 8:10:39 GMT
While I despise using a shield (my left hand is retarded), but when I was learning, I forced myself to use one. After trying a few, I found the strapped heater the most effective. It gives good protection, teaches good habits, and most importantly, it's accurate across a large number of time periods. Remember, you can always make alterations later (I once knew an Irish persona that used a buckler with piercing blades on either end) when you develop your fighting style a little more and learn what you like a little better, but the heater is going to teach you good habits and can be made with a great deal of variation.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 15:59:01 GMT
So Taran, what do you think would be a good shield for a beginner? I don't think that I will start with a kite.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 23:39:29 GMT
Depends on how you wantto learn. Do you want to start simple and work into the more difficult stuff? Start with a medium to large heater, strapped.
Do you want to start with the difficult stuff so you don't learn any bad habits? Get a dowel rod that fits comfortably in your off hand. That'll be your shield. It Is an actual style in the SCA.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 0:30:39 GMT
I would prefer a "happy medium". A SHIELD that will help me to learn good habits rather than bad ones sounds good.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 0:42:38 GMT
I don't know how you fight. Without knowing that, I can't make any more specific suggestions.
How each shield fights is pretty thoroughly covered. You'll just have to take your best guess...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 0:58:09 GMT
I don't know how I fight either, so that makes two of us. I just wanted your opinion on shields, so thank you anyways.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 4:23:16 GMT
Well the biggest difference comes from center grip or strapped so I would say try to figure out which of those you like better. Then you can figure out what details fits you best.
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