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Zach Gordon




Location: Vermont. USA
Joined: 07 Oct 2008

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Posts: 252

PostPosted: Fri 21 Nov, 2008 6:26 pm    Post subject: Viking Shield         Reply with quote

I am debating between the
Merc. Tailor Viking shield
and the
Viking Shield model II shield

Pros I see for Merc. Tailor
Leather covered front, wool backed, shoulder strap

Pros for Viking Shield
Proper planked construction

Cons for Merc. Tailor
NOT planked construction

Cons for Viking shield
NO shoulder strap, NO leather front, NO wool back

I have unfortunatly seen neither one in person so which one do you guys think is better??? Has anyone had experiance with either?

P.S. I did read the review by Bill Grandy on the viking shield one.
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Gavin Kisebach




Location: Lacey, Wa US
Joined: 01 Aug 2004

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PostPosted: Fri 21 Nov, 2008 8:15 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hello Zach,

It depends on your apllication. I like the VikingShield shields, but they need to have iron reinforcement strips if you plan to to live steel or hard use fighting with them; I've seen one come apart in just a few minutes of fighting.

Merc Taylor is pretty pricey, but they are gorgeous. Maybe too gorgeous to use.....

If you are going to wall hang it or use it for show, they're both fine.

There are only two kinds of scholars; those who love ideas and those who hate them. ~ Emile Chartier
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Jean Thibodeau




Location: Montreal,Quebec,Canada
Joined: 15 Mar 2004
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PostPosted: Fri 21 Nov, 2008 8:26 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Gavin Kisebach wrote:
Hello Zach,

It depends on your apllication. I like the VikingShield shields, but they need to have iron reinforcement strips if you plan to to live steel or hard use fighting with them; I've seen one come apart in just a few minutes of fighting.

Merc Taylor is pretty pricey, but they are gorgeous. Maybe too gorgeous to use.....

If you are going to wall hang it or use it for show, they're both fine.


Well, from what Allan has told me his shields ( Merc. Taylor's ) seem to be very long lasting in use: So they may be pretty but they are made to be used hard and the leather + very hard rawhide rims + the plywood construction all add to durability.

I have his Kyte Shield and the larger and older period Heater Shield and they seem very strong while not being too heavy.

( Disclamer: I don't fight with them so I can't first hand give an opinion on durability ).

You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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Tony Peterson




Location: United Kingdom
Joined: 25 Jun 2008
Reading list: 8 books

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PostPosted: Sat 22 Nov, 2008 1:10 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Ive handled a Viking-Shield.com shield.. was ok but thought it was a bit on the weighty side.

Id say look at some of the guides online and make your own. Its so easy and alot cheaper than buying one.

Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans, no more merciful beheadings, and call off Christmas!

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Chase S-R




Location: New Mexico
Joined: 31 Jan 2008

Posts: 166

PostPosted: Sat 22 Nov, 2008 11:29 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

One of the things that made me never want to buy a Mercenary Tailor is that they wouldn't paint it, but now they will.
Viking shield is, I believe, willing to do customizations to their shields, if I remember right it is $40 extra to add a shoulder strap.
I would advise Mercenary Tailor because you can pretty easily make the Viking shield style yourself whereas the Merc. tailor would be harder to do. The only downside I see on the Mercenary Tailor is the non planking on the wood, the upside is that would make it more durable if you use it in combat. One downside I see to both is that on both the rawhide edge is nailed rather than sewn on.

Charles Stewart Rodriguez
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Zach Gordon




Location: Vermont. USA
Joined: 07 Oct 2008

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 252

PostPosted: Sat 22 Nov, 2008 1:03 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Are there any other shields that are for sale? I'm not so good at making this stuff but just for kicks where would I find a website with instructions. My main concern is accuracy.
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Philip C. Ryan




Location: Omaha, NE
Joined: 04 Nov 2005
Likes: 1 page

Posts: 83

PostPosted: Sat 22 Nov, 2008 6:59 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Here are some links to the construction of a planked shield:

http://users.bigpond.net.au/fireandsteel/shield02.htm

http://community.webshots.com/album/310501948VGorZE


Some archeological info as well:

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisandpeter/shield/shield.html


Another good write up on Viking Age shields:

http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manu...hields.htm
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