Hi

I've been lurking this forum and these pages for a while and only signed up a couple of days ago.

I was wondering if there are quality shield makers at the same level as the premium blade makers constantly discussed and reviewed here. I've searched the threads and the website in general looking for information but, the most I could find was information how to make a shield (interesting topic in itself).

So, who are the Albion/A&A/Del Tin/Angus Trim/etc. of the shield world?

Or, perhaps, a more general question... who are the premium armor (helms, maille, etc) makers?

Thanks all

Kimon

Hi Kimon,
I guess it depends on what you looking for specifically.
Arms and Armor make some nice bucklers and heater style shields, as does Mercenary's Taylor. Viking shield.com makes some accurate plank shields if thats your bag. I remember seeing a post from Sterling Armory about custom shields being offered, Convex plywood I believe. (Maybe more for SCA type fighting)
If you are looking to have your coat of arms painted on there are various vendors who can do that for you. A quick google search will pop up a few.

Hope that helps.
Sam

This is my choice for durable shields to be used in sparring. They costum cut blanks out of 5052 H38 aluminum for $50 to $60. They are near indestructible. They do dished out rounds and curves made to any specification. You can trace out a pattern if you like on paper and they will cut for you.

http://www.bymyhanddesigns.com/
http://www.bymyhanddesigns.com/bmhdshields.html

You have to strap it yourself because everyone has different arm lengths and comfort positions. I strapped mine for both right handed and left handed use.

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Next you see the curve. It does not last long in SCA fighting as you can see compared to my old shield. It does not get worst then that, because the edge hits, maintain a little curve.

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Next you see how I have strapped it so that when I bring my fist up to a boxing position the top corner covers most of my head. From there I just need push a little up, down or sideways. That top corner stops or deflects up 80% of strikes against me.

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This is what my opponent sees when I am in my ready position. The bottom corner stops the other 9% of the leg blows and the inside edge catches remaining 1%.

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Another good choice is Wind Rose Armory:
http://www.windrosearmoury.com/zc/index.php?m...rd=shields

A little bit more expensive. They have the best shield edging if you need it.

Kimon, Sam hasn't mentioned himself. He does some amazing things, specializing in 16th century work.

I like the shields made by Akehurst Armory on ebay. He mostly does Viking shields but he has a couple heater style.

http://stores.ebay.com/Akehurst-Armory_W0QQco...idZ2QQtZkm

If your looking for a "sport" shield (SCA/WMA), look up Sir Vitus over on http://www.armourarchive.org in the classifieds forum.

He starts with a wooden core, and then laminates (probably not the most correct word) with modern composites/fiberglasses. Again thats probably not a good technical description of what he does, but it gives you an idea.

Great reviews, and they're nearly indestructable and look great.

http://www.shieldsandshoes.co.uk/Sands1.html

I've had good results with the above.