I just received a semi-customised targe from Joe Lindsay (www.targemaker.co.uk), and thought I'd share it with you, along with my new(ish) baskethilt from Armourclass.
The targe is one of Joe's many standard models that he has on his site: 'The Isles Targe', based on an original from the Isle of Skye. The standard version usually has the double-headed eagle of the Macdonalds of the Isles depicted in the centre. However, I asked for something a bit different.
I recently proposed to my girlfriend and, as is traditional, she got a ring out of the deal. I however didn't get anything (apart from a fiancee of course :p ). So, after a little bit of looking around and really very little cajoling, I managed to convince my better half to get me something to commemorate the occasion: I decided on a targe to go with my baskethilt.
I came up with a very simple design made up of our initials, seperated with crossed swords. I suggested this to Joe, and after some initial misgivings, he agreed to sacrifice his rather better original centre-piece with my doodle. The result is below, and I for one am very happy with it:
The Targe is faced with leather and brass studs, as you'd expect. It's dyed brown, but for some reason comes out as green in areas and under certain light. I prefer this to a uniform brown, and whether it is intentional or not (Joe says it isn't), think it looks very cool.
It's backed with deer hide, and has an arm strap and leather hand grip. It also comes with an informative tag, fastened to the grip, iprovidiing the enquiring party with a bit of back-story to targes in general.
The last pic above shows the targe with my Armourclass Early Baskethilt. I got this just before Christmas after deciding some point last spring that I desperately wanted a decent baskethilt.
I'd been wanting something from Armourclass for a few years, but couldn't decide what. I also couldn't really justify getting one of their more complicated designed baskets. I instead settled for one of their more affordable offerings. I did however ask for a couple of alterations to the sword depicted on their site: a rayskin and wire grip wrap as opposed to a leather one; browned furniture instead of shiny steel; a leather half-liner; and for the blade to be given a satin finish.
Iain was very accomodating and a few short months later I received an excitingly-shaped box from the postman.
Despite this being of a less-intricate design than many of AC's offerings, I like the simplicity, and, combined with the customizable options offered by Iain and crew, it's a great higher-quality alternative to the more widely-available baskethilts that UK retailers are offering.
The browning is well and evenly done, with no patches being missed. The welds are even and also well done. The seem of the grip is visible, as it's shark-skin, but it's straight and there are no loose edges or overlap.
Armourclass are better known in the UK for their blunt reenactment blades. I don't practice any WMA, so ordered the blade sharp, which it is. It is also very thin and quite whippy: I wouldn't like to try it in a thrust, but in the cut the flexibility would definitely be an asset. If I were to order anything from AC in the future (which I definitely will, once I manage to decide exactly what!), I would probably request a blade made from slightly thicker stock.
The blade came with a satin finish, as requested. The were a couple of blemishes on the blade which would easily be polished out with some wire wool, but as they aren't active rust-spots, I've left it as-is.
Cheers,
Ant