[Steven H]

Hello,

I've begun studying sword and shield, using rotella/targa style shields with leather straps for the hand grip. So far it seems that the flexible grip isn't steady and would work better if it was rigid - possibly just hardened leather. That creates two questions:

1) Is there any historical evidence for forearm strapped shields of any variety using some type of rigid handle?

2) Has any one else, using such a shield, encountered the same problem as myself?

Thanks.

[Matthew Amt]

Well, the forearm band or porpax on the Classical Greek aspis (hoplon) was made of bronze. The grip (antilabe) was made of cord but was pretty short, running between 2 rigid bronze loops. Not sure how much that will help you!

Matthew