Shield of the Black Knight of the Order of the Marshal

[Sir William]

I had this shield built for me by the fine fellows at Oakheart Armoury; I went with a slightly modified size (for them), 32" x 20", strapped and guiged for a lefty (they got the guige slightly wrong, but Sir James has offered to help me rectify that, thank you Brother); steel edging, canvas overlay, with my coat of arms applied and a padded wrist area.  I also wanted wider straps than the usual 1/2" ones, which they were more than happy to apply for me.  Total price including shipping- $115.00.  Just a couple of pics here.

Front:



Back:

[Sir James A]

Excellent! Congratulations on the new acquisition, and we'll get it set up next time you're over.

[Sir William]

Thank you, Brother- I am much obliged.  Although, I'll you- at that price I can put this one up on the wall permanently and carry the other about.  Might just do that...then we can focus on whatever else that needs doing.  Always something, right?

[Ian]

Looks spectacular Sir William!  What's it made from?  What did they get wrong on the shoulder strap (I'm not familiar enough to know by looking)?

I think I will be enlisting their services in the future to have one done as well.  Congratulations!

[Sir William]

Sir Ian, I do believe it is plywood, but not that heavy particle board/pressed material.  It weighs in around 5lbs, and about 1/2" thick- substantial, but not overly so.  They cut and shape the wood to suit their needs and they can add curvature if you're so inclined (I was and am for all my shields).

As for what's wrong- the lower guige strap end should be bolted lower than the arm strap- that way when it hangs on your back it hangs more or less vertically.  The way it is setup now, the shield hangs almost horizontally on my back and is somewhat awkward to pull toward the front in haste.  It does serve the purpose for which it was intended, I just need it to do it in a more aesthetically and practically pleasing manner is all.

As I was saying to Sir James though, at that price I may just put this one up on the wall permanently and have them do another for me.  I also need them to do up a Beausant one as well...something Sir Edward said some time ago stuck with me.  Something about historical accuracy or some such 'nonsense'. 

[Joshua Santana]

Well done Sir William!  Looking impressive there!

[Sir James A]

Doth mine ears deceiveth me? Did I hear someone just got a shield and wants to buy another?

DO IT!!

[Sir William]

Two shields, actually- a Beausant and another one of this guiged correctly.  Is that a word?  Should be.

[Sir James A]

Two shields, actually- a Beausant and another one of this guiged correctly.  Is that a word?  Should be.

Wait, bought one, and buy *two* more? I'm not sure I can contain that level of excitement!

I'm good with guiged. It's official a word now.

[Sir Gerard de Rodes]

Very nice Sir William.
G.

[Sir William]

Capital!  Yes two...a Templar should carry the Beausant, as I was set forth by our own illustrious Knight Commander; granted, he was not directly referencing me, however, a comment about historical accuracy w/regard to Templar impersonations was not lost on me so, I've always had that on the back burner.  And I like this shield, the current one we're talking about- who knows, I'll bring it with me anyways.  Maybe drilling a hole and such won't be as big a deal as I'm thinking it'll be.  Or maybe I just need to get that shield remade and hang this one like I said I would, with a couple of crossed longswords behind it- that'll be my main knightly display and I need not worry about the whole weapon rack thing I'd been fantasizing about.

I'm actually going to end up vetting most of my collection on ebaY, at least the decorative stuff as I still have a few good looking but non-usable swords and rather than having them laying about gathering dust, let them go elsewhere and do it.  lol

Sir Gerard, thank you, sir!

[Sir Edward]

Wow, really nice!

[Sir Ulrich]

Thats  nice shield, I want to get one now. How did you get the steel edgeing cause I think I just might do the same thing for my Heraldic shield.

[Sir Brian]

That is an awesome shield Sir William and at an excellent price! Congratulations! 

[Sir William]

Ulrich, I didn't even know at the time that they could do that til they said so; it cost an extra $10-15 I think; I like it better than the flex-hose or whatever it is they use for SCA combat.

Sir Brian, thank you kindly Brother- I like it much, they did a good job.  Mind you, it isn't as nice as the ones Allan makes- but at a fraction of the price I can live with it.  If Allan were ever persuaded to do another run though, I'd have to get one.  I loved what he did for you guys.