Hi

I have been tinkering with a method for making shields out of boards without massive amounts of carpentry for some time. More details on this to come. But I have now (mostly) finished the 0.2Beta version of my new vedge/flat topped kite shield!
Due to circumsatnce (what was laying around at home), it is made out of 10 8mm thick pine boards, with a central vedge wider and thicker pine boards (added after 0.1Beta proved to narrow.

Specs:
110cm tall
55cm wide
72cm outer diameter
20cm deep.
ca 4kg weight

The main feature of this sheild is the cuvature and depth. Where a convensional reenactors plywood shield has only a gentle curve, this shield very deep indeed. The goal was to match period depictions, which it now does.
It also enables the use of the vertical arm grip, that is pretty much useless on a flatter shield.
Aditionally it features very low attatchment points for the shoulder straps (inspired by the Lewis chessmen) that allows both for more or less free use of the shield while on the straps, and carrying the shield with the shield at eye level witth both hands free.
Overall, the results are quite interesting, and I am looking forward to field testing the shield during the summer season.

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Hi Elling,

great work. It does indeed match period illuminations now. You got the curvature very well! I would like to see the strap-setup and since you mentioned it, maybe add a picture of your arm, while using the vertical hold?

And how did you join the boards? You hinted at a fast process? I am really curious about that.

All the best,
Thomas

Those curves...

Barrel making 101...

Since Thomas asked about how the shield was made and I wanted to develop the process, I decided to make another shield:


This is the story of how it came about;[url]
http://s40.photobucket.com/user/Ellingpolden/story/7053[/url]

or, in short, the trick is to glue the pieces to a cloth backing, prop it to desired shape, and close the gaps with glue/trowel.


Cheating, I know. But an effective alternative to bending plywood. Which is also cheating.

Your shield is great and WOW! Norway is beautiful!

Could you post pics of the strapping system? Also on that third pic wouldn't that put your leg out as an obvious target?

that is a beautiful shield good sir! I too, am dabbling a bit with working on a more period authentic kite shield. It's interesting, but most people around my parts believe kites are good for reenactment only for "wars" and on horseback, even though history states otherwise. I'm looking forward to further watching your progress with this, as it's always nice to see others working on a similar experiment.

Ha, that's an ingenious way to build a shield, Elling.
Did you already put it to the test? Does this glue-joint take a beating well?

Regards,
Thomas

Tanner; Here is what the strapping currently looks like:


Here are some examples on the various options.
http://s40.photobucket.com/user/Ellingpolden/story/7071

Thomas; I have tested the 0.1 beta version, which held up OK. Unfortunately I have been working away from practice opportunities for the last months, so propper testing will have to be done during summer. So far the impression is that they can take some beating. I have been experimenting with diferent kinds of glue/trowel, but have ending up trying out the kind used for car/boat repair. Results are good so far, but true durability testing will take some time.