need viking shield info -- myArmoury.com

Etienne Hamel · Posted: Mon 02 Nov, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject: need viking shield info

Hi everyone, i would like to make a viking shield project and i need your help. i have found a website for the making of the shield blank so that is not the problem... i would like to know what are the stuff required to make a nice looking shield grip.
i would do a shield of 28 inch of diameter or maybe more still thinking about that.
the shield would be made of 15mm thick plywood is it ok or should i take a bigger thickness?
the covering of the shield would be canvas Soaked in mod pudge glue (my mother think it would be ok)
i found a shield boss for the shield for 25$ cnd made of 14 gauge steel is it enough for traning?

oh and before i forget i don't even know how to make a central grip, is ther some styles of central grip or it can be made all straight (without curves for the hand)?

thanks.

Sam Gordon Campbell · Posted: Mon 02 Nov, 2009 6:44 pm Post subject:

Hm... Well what I've done with mine is make it as light yet as strong as I could.
What type of combat/training are you going to use it for? SCA, live steel, martial arts?
How long do you want it to last? As (from what I've learned anyway) shields weren't really designed to last more than a couple of battles.
As a general rule of thumb (that I've used), the diameter only realy needs to cover till your elbow, then maybe a bit more; anything up from 1cm thickness, once the edging and canvas or linen (and lots of glue), and the boss, and then the handle have been added, it begins to get surprisingly heavy Laughing Out Loud

A 2mm thick boss should be fine for training, heck, even sparring.
And central grips come in lots of different varieties, some only come to the edge of the boss and are rounded, other are as simple as a piece of broom handle nailed on.
But I'd say, if you want a metal handle, get the small curved ones, and if you want a straight one (which is more common I believe), just used some decent wood.

Good luck.

Viktor Abrahamson · Posted: Mon 02 Nov, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject:

Read about viking shields actually found in this link:

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

If you cover your shield in canvas 15mm is pretty thick.
The originals were about 6mm, but probably faced with leather or linnen. (Multiple layers of linnen makes it strong).
When the shield breaks (it probably will eventually) you can remove the boss and attach it to another shield.

Some viking shields were as big as 90-100cm (35-39")

/Viktor

Johan S. Moen · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 2:16 am Post subject: Re: need viking shield info

Etienne Hamel · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 4:35 am Post subject:

it would be more for live steel so are you sue that the 6-8 mm thick would do because i saw on hurstwic the damage on a shield that an axe would do sure my shield would be reinforced with metal but is the shield will last ?

Bjorn Hagstrom · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 5:19 am Post subject:

Etienne Hamel · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 5:25 am Post subject:

and what if i use some steel covered with raw hide?

Bjorn Hagstrom · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 5:44 am Post subject:

I would actually not recommend reinforcing the edge with steel (even if covered with rawhide) much work for little gain and extra weight.

Also if the steel edge become exposed, it will provide a hard slippery surface on which weapon edges might bounce and/or slip in a way less safe than bare rawhide. A lot of hits and strikes will be within inches of your face, and metal-on-metal hits that close would make me uncomfortable.

Etienne Hamel · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 5:52 am Post subject:

ok so if i understand correctly i should go for 95% of the shield organic stuff (raw hide wood but low metal as it woudl be too heavy and maybe unconfortable) is that right?

oh, and is there some people who have some pictures of the grip of their shield to help me in the making of mine?

Bjorn Hagstrom · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 5:57 am Post subject:

The only metal on your shield should be the boss, and maybe the handle (although wood handle is more practical, lighter and cheaper) and mails and rivets.

Check out the thread "Show us your shields" in this very forum. I know there where several viking shields poster there.

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...w++shields

Good luck!

Viktor Abrahamson · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 6:14 am Post subject:

Here are some grips. Some made of wood and some in iron.

Etienne Hamel · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 7:34 am Post subject:

Viktor the two last of the shields are my style but what did you use to stick them in place and im speaking of the grip of course.

Elling Polden · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 7:52 am Post subject:

We usually just nail them on. You can either use the same nails that you use to attatch the boss, or separate ones. Be sure to offsett the handle so that your hand (incluing any gloves) fits comfortably, though.

Viktor Abrahamson · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 10:44 am Post subject:

I use iron rivets and or nails.
If you use rivets it looks nicer with handmade rivets and handmade washers.
The same with nails. Make sure you use long nails that can be bent on the backside to secure them.

I photographed the rivet.

And I found a good painting on the net wich will show you the basics.

Etienne Hamel · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject:

with an old brown color the style of the shield would be magnificent!!! Eek!

Viktor Abrahamson · Posted: Tue 03 Nov, 2009 11:11 pm Post subject:

The old brown color will come naturally after a while Wink

This is a picture of the front of the same shield, faced with leather and edged with rawhide.

Johan S. Moen · Posted: Wed 04 Nov, 2009 4:17 am Post subject:

Viktor Abrahamson · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2009 2:44 am Post subject:

David Huggins · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2009 7:38 am Post subject: Viking shield

Hi

I can only repeat much off what has already been said...but will add my two penneth worth!

For 'live steel' combat I tend to make a shield of 5/8ths of an inch thick, and as I am quite tall about 35 inches in diameter, faced with leather, and raw hide edged which I sew while semi damp to the leather covered ply board.

The leather will absorb some of the blow, and the rawhide edge when dry and hardened will prevent some damage to blows to its edge. It's length of service can depend on the type of 'combat' that you intend to use it for, but I never expect it to last longer then a re-enactment annual season.

I have made and used Linden wood planked shields in the past, again rawhide edged but linen covered..it didn't last long in a full contact face off. Perhaps it is not suprising that opponents in a holmgang duel where allowed three shields!

I also quickly learned that painting overwrought decoration to a re-enactment shield could prove to be a waste of time, keep your decoration simple unless you you don't mind shield making and decoration.

regards
Dave

Vilkas V. · Posted: Fri 06 Nov, 2009 8:44 pm Post subject:

Okay, don't use plywood. Get yourself some pine planks from the hardware store and but them together to make a plank. Cut to size by what ever means you want. Then face with linen or leather. Facing plywood would is just a waste.