Want to make a Shield

[Sir Nate]

For a project to do, I want to make a norman kite shield this summer. I have been looking around the internet but there is not much info on how to make one. I think it would be ok to use for my 12th century kit, But I may be wrong.
Would a Norman kite shield be good for 12th century? and if so what should I buy and how should I go about making it?
If it is not good for 12th century, What type of shield is and how can I make that as well?

[Sir Douglas]

The How-to: http://www.yeoldegaffers.com/project_shield.asp

I'm pretty sure kites were used all throughout the 12th Century, though I think a lot of later-century kites didn't have the central boss and/or were cut straight along the top instead of being rounded.

[Sir Patrick]

+1 on Gaffers site. Made several over the years with that press and all turned out well.

[Thorsteinn]

I've made a lot of shields over the years. What's your budget? How historic do you want to get? Purpose of the shield?

[Mike W.]

For the most historically accurate shield, you will want to use lindenwood/lime wood planks that are glued together, preferably a period glue (cheese glue is very easy to make and a very strong wood glue). The rounded shape is made by how the planks are joined, rather than the whole shield being pressed or steamed. Also, you would want to cover it in leather and edge it with rawhide. However, this can get rather pricey. Gaffer's shields are a great option if you're on a budget. Covering the shield with canvas is an inexpensive alternative to leather and you can usually get a canvas painters' tarp at a harware store for cheap.

[Sir Patrick]

If you go the Gaffer route, take your time and make a good press. You can turn out shields for years with it (or turn out blanks you can sell off to fund your kit).

[Sir Ulrich]

You could always buy a shield blank from Oakheart armory and then finish it yourself. They only cost about 40 bucks per blank. Then you can do whatever you want with them such as put a rawhide rim on them add high quality handles and paint it however you want. They're already canvas or linen covered so you dont have to worry about the plywood showing. Their shields arent bad just their leatherwork leaves more to be desired which is why I suggest the blanks rather than the finished shield. If you're doing templar for the shield painting is simple too, as thy had a black top that took up 1/3rd or one 1/4th of the shield and the rest was white.

[Sir Nate]

You could always buy a shield blank from Oakheart armory and then finish it yourself. They only cost about 40 bucks per blank. Then you can do whatever you want with them such as put a rawhide rim on them add high quality handles and paint it however you want. They're already canvas or linen covered so you dont have to worry about the plywood showing. Their shields arent bad just their leatherwork leaves more to be desired which is why I suggest the blanks rather than the finished shield. If you're doing templar for the shield painting is simple too, as thy had a black top that took up 1/3rd or one 1/4th of the shield and the rest was white.

I will go with this route. Seems best for now, and more affordable and less time consuming. I think I will still try making a shield this summer though.

I've made a lot of shields over the years. What's your budget? How historic do you want to get? Purpose of the shield?

My budget would Ideally be $100 dollars or less, I want to be as historic as possible, and I want to be able to use the shield for just about anything.

If you go the Gaffer route, take your time and make a good press. You can turn out shields for years with it (or turn out blanks you can sell off to fund your kit).

What is the gaffer route exactly?

[Sir William]

Yeoldgaffer's an old SBG poster who decided to make his own armor stands, scabbards w/belts, and shields.  He wrote up some really in-depth how-to's if you're interested; Douglas posted the link to his site.

I would also second Oakheart Armory; the last two shields I had commissioned came from them and they're really willing and able to work with you.  Rather than going with a blank, I had them make up two complete shields, with arm straps and neck/guige strap to hang from the back; one was rimmed in steel and painted with my heraldic colors and the other was a Templar one-off (not the beauseant version, white with a red cross) same layout and both shields were around $120 or so when it was all said and done.

[Sir Nate]

Yeoldgaffer's an old SBG poster who decided to make his own armor stands, scabbards w/belts, and shields.  He wrote up some really in-depth how-to's if you're interested; Douglas posted the link to his site.

I would also second Oakheart Armory; the last two shields I had commissioned came from them and they're really willing and able to work with you.  Rather than going with a blank, I had them make up two complete shields, with arm straps and neck/guige strap to hang from the back; one was rimmed in steel and painted with my heraldic colors and the other was a Templar one-off (not the beauseant version, white with a red cross) same layout and both shields were around $120 or so when it was all said and done.

So it only comes out to about 60 to have it customized?

[Don Jorge]

I wonder how much is their shipping...Shipping for shield is usually what gets you...I paid 40 dollars for my heater and it is already in need of some minor repairs...but I get it beat weekly...

[Sir Wolf]

ive made a lotta shields. imho if u dont have all the stuff already, just buy one lol. kult of athena or oakheart or something is a good deal

[Thorsteinn]

Yeah if you've got a hundred then I'd go the buy route. Have you posted what you're looking for on the Armor Archive?

[D.Shortt]

Making a shield can be pretty low budget some times. BUT that is really only if you already have the tools needed. If not, The material + tools at the same time can get very pricey.

[Sir William]

Yeoldgaffer's an old SBG poster who decided to make his own armor stands, scabbards w/belts, and shields.  He wrote up some really in-depth how-to's if you're interested; Douglas posted the link to his site.

I would also second Oakheart Armory; the last two shields I had commissioned came from them and they're really willing and able to work with you.  Rather than going with a blank, I had them make up two complete shields, with arm straps and neck/guige strap to hang from the back; one was rimmed in steel and painted with my heraldic colors and the other was a Templar one-off (not the beauseant version, white with a red cross) same layout and both shields were around $120 or so when it was all said and done.

So it only comes out to about 60 to have it customized?

No, for each shield.  You're only going for one at the moment, right?