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Main => The Armoury => Topic started by: Thorsteinn on 2011-08-09, 00:51:26

Title: New Shield Project.
Post by: Thorsteinn on 2011-08-09, 00:51:26
One of the challenges I was given as a CYnaguan Guardsman was to complete a project & to challenge myself as a fighter. I will be able to do both by making a centergrip round , so soon I will be starting on it.

Will keep ya all posted.

BTW hand sewing a linen coif sucks.

-Ivan
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir Rodney on 2011-08-09, 13:39:54
Quote from: Ivan
BTW hand sewing a linen coif sucks.
:) :) ;)
Funny thing is I took out some linen last night, opened up my sewing kit and thought "I don't want to do this to myself tonight". I put everything away and grabbed a book instead. ;D
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir Edward on 2011-08-09, 13:44:00

What is this hand-sewing you speak of? :)

I don't have squires or seamstresses. So I use a machine. 'Nuff said. :)
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir Brian on 2011-08-09, 14:47:51

What is this hand-sewing you speak of? :)

I don't have squires or seamstresses. So I use a machine. 'Nuff said. :)

That 'Machine' Sir Edward is referring to is a wondrous contraption some of us possess that is inhabited by industrious but miscreant gnomes who will rapidly sew almost anything you may desire however in order to get the gnomes to work at all you must continuously lambast them with an unending stream of profanities...well that’s how my sewing machine works at least!  :D
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir William on 2011-08-09, 16:58:13
At least you have a sewing machine...lol
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir Gerard de Rodes on 2011-08-09, 19:52:52
I have made a few of these shields in my time, along with the usual curved heater shields. I would be interested to see how you go about it yourself.  ;)
G.
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir William on 2011-08-09, 20:06:15
I was going to say Ron of Ye Olde Gaffers might be of help, he has some detailed write ups on how to make shields but his are for the kite and heater style shields. 

Interested to see what you come up with and how easy it is...I remember you commenting one should just make a shield if it is needed, so let us see how it turns out. 
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Thorsteinn on 2011-08-10, 00:03:48
@ Ser William: I made the one in my profile pic. Even dished the boss for it. Learned alot of what to do and not do, what is quick and not quick.

For this next one I will be using a boss my Dad bought me some years back and I've yet to use.

The shield will be 29"-30" across and probably made from 2 layers of 1/4" birch plywood. I will face it with canvas and gesso it with a glue, water, and ... maybe drywall patch compound. I will be edging it with rawhide dog chews sewn together and probably be using artificial sinew to secure the rawhide to save one weight. I may add some strips of steel like danelaw called for but only if its light.

Any suggestions on what wood to use for the handle?
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir James A on 2011-08-12, 04:43:17

What is this hand-sewing you speak of? :)

I don't have squires or seamstresses. So I use a machine. 'Nuff said. :)

That 'Machine' Sir Edward is referring to is a wondrous contraption some of us possess that is inhabited by industrious but miscreant gnomes who will rapidly sew almost anything you may desire however in order to get the gnomes to work at all you must continuously lambast them with an unending stream of profanities...well that’s how my sewing machine works at least!  :D

It would be appear that you and I have the same gnomes in our machines, Sir Brian.
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir William on 2011-08-12, 14:08:28
@ Ser William: I made the one in my profile pic. Even dished the boss for it. Learned alot of what to do and not do, what is quick and not quick.

For this next one I will be using a boss my Dad bought me some years back and I've yet to use.

The shield will be 29"-30" across and probably made from 2 layers of 1/4" birch plywood. I will face it with canvas and gesso it with a glue, water, and ... maybe drywall patch compound. I will be edging it with rawhide dog chews sewn together and probably be using artificial sinew to secure the rawhide to save one weight. I may add some strips of steel like danelaw called for but only if its light.

Any suggestions on what wood to use for the handle?

Cocobolo if you can get it; a Central American product, keeps a nice grippable surface and a durable hardwood, usually used as gun or knife handles because the wood withstands extended handling as well as moisture.
Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir Edward on 2011-08-12, 14:57:01

Cocobolo is an exotic hard wood. Might be a bit pricy. But it sure looks good and is quite strong. They have export restrictions on the size, so it's very difficult to get pieces more than some number of inches long.

The only reason I know this is that it was explained to me when I bought a short-sword with cocobolo in the grip.

Title: Re: New Shield Project.
Post by: Sir William on 2011-08-12, 15:19:41
He should be able to get a shield-grip length piece w/out too much trouble though, couldn't he?  But Sir Edward's right...export might be an issue, if that is the case, you could use birch or poplar, those can be had domestically I believe.