Kite shield

[Sir Ulrich]

Well, I have been looking around on where to get a kite shield, preferably with rawhide or iron edges, for under 130 bucks. Been considering making my own though, but dunno where to begin. If anyone can either post where I can buy one, (even used) i'll appreciate it. Making one would be a pain but if it's the only way I can get what I want I'll do it. I'd also be willing to compromise and take a regular medieval shield that's tall enough to protect my legs (place I often get hit whenever I'm duelling.

[Sir Wolf]

ah cool. I've made a few and bought a few. best prices for heaters to buy at at www.kultofathena.com  I think most of us are going the heater route.  Kites are easy to make. get a sheet of 1/4 inch birch plywood, wood glue and a few ratchet straps.

see here http://community.webshots.com/album/179993561rMwokb

http://www.yeoldegaffers.com/project_shieldpress.asp

http://www.yeoldegaffers.com/project_shield.asp

[Sir Patrick]

I made mine using Gaffer's plans and shield press.  Turned out beautifully, and was pretty simple.  The nice thing about the press is you can turn out anything from a kite to a heater to a scrutum, so you're all set as your needs/tastes change.  Rawhiding is pretty simple to do on your own as well.  I just used non-flavored dog chews (the biggest you can find.  You'll need two), soaked them overnight in a bucket, nailed them to a flat board, cut the lengths I needed, and put them on with tacks.  It shrinks as it dries and is pretty tough.

[Sir Wolf]

that is a beautiful shield

[Dragonlover]

Yep, sure is...Great job!

[Sir Patrick]

Thank you for the kind words, Sir Wolf & Sir Andrew!

[Sir Ulrich]

Nice shield I wan't one similar with my own coat of arms. I think I'm gonna try the dogbone idea. Seems cheap enough for me to make my own shield, just gotta convince someone to help me ¬_¬

[Sir Matthew]

Where do you live at, because I'd be willing to help. I'm going to be making a couple of shields myself and might need a little assistance so maybe we could work out a you help me I help you deal if you aren't too far away.

[Sir Patrick]

Nice shield I wan't one similar with my own coat of arms. I think I'm gonna try the dogbone idea. Seems cheap enough for me to make my own shield, just gotta convince someone to help me ¬_¬

Shield cost (not counting the press, which I threw together out of scap I had lying around):
2 2ftx4ftx 1/4 inch plywood panels:  $16
2 Big dog chews:  $5
2 boxes of carpet tacks:  $3
1 Bottle TItebond wood glue:  $5
1&1/2 yards duck canvas:  $6
2 belts from the Goodwill for straps:  $5
4 1/4inch carriage bolts:  $3
4 washers:  $1
TOTAL:  $44

Granted, I had the felt backing and all the paints already, but you're still looking at a lot less that the $130 you said you'd be willing to pay.  That would turn out a lot of shields!

[Sir Brian]

Excellent work! That is a beautifully done job! 

[Sir Patrick]

Thank you, Sir Brian!

[Sir Ulrich]

Where do you live at, because I'd be willing to help. I'm going to be making a couple of shields myself and might need a little assistance so maybe we could work out a you help me I help you deal if you aren't too far away.

I'm in New Jersey, what kinds of shields are you making?

[Sir William]

That's a nice shield, Red Knight.  I use Oakheart Armoury for my shields ([url]http://www.oakheartarmory.com/32901/index.html[\url])...I've gotten 2 from them w/a 3rd one in the works and never paid more than $100, shipping included.  My first shield was a SCA-style, with the 'hose' (whatever the hell that is) around the edges, 36"x24" (LxW) and a padded arm rest with adjustable leather strapping.  Here are a couple of pics, this one cost me $75 all told, painting and all.



And here's a pic of the strapping; they can make it to fit:


My other shield you can see in the Knight Pages.  I was set to commission another one but if the Red Knight would be amenable to taking on a commission, I'd much rather give the business to a fellow forum member.  I especially like Gaffer's plans for shieldmaking, I just don't the time, space or tools for such an endeavour.  Hoping to change that soon, though.

[Sir Wolf]

hey thats a nice one. great link too. not bad

[Sir Matthew]

I'm going to make two round shields, one with a metal center boss covered in canvas and painted with black Tuetonic crosses, the other with no boss and covered with leather. Eventually I plan to make some other round and square wooden buckler size shields and a wooden Targe. I have some scrap wood laying around that I am planning to use for the later shields but the two I'm planning to make first came from my Grandparents house (one was an old table top that couldn't be repaired, the other was the seat to what was planned to be a stool but never compleated) and this is my way of keeping a bit of them with me in a hobby I enjoy. Are you in Southern or Northern Jersey? Southern Jersey might not be too far to come to work on the project for a day. I'm always interested in trying new things out and since I'm not much of a woodworker, I'm hoping to pick up some tips from the experience.