My latest shield is nude around the edge-Nearly every shield i've seen has some leather, or metal around the edge to bind and make it durable.

What should I use and what tacks are best? I'm thinking of using a rough thick leather with some short nails. Problem is I have a tendency to use the shield as a weapon itself and don't want to smack someone with a loose nail. I doubt this shield will last long anyway but it's chances would be helped by having a secure rim to it.

Thanks all.

use the trusty old rawhide doggy-chew and stitch it on.
Phil

These people http://www.leprevo.co.uk/hides.htm do raw hide in 48 inch x 6 inch strips which works really well stitched on. More expensive than dog chew but pretty good stuff by all accounts.

Excellent, thanks guys!

Just use the doggie chews, go to a pet store and buy the largest ones. Soak overnight, wrap in a damp towel for an hour or so and they will be ready to cut into strips and stitch on. Make sure to overlap the joins by a couple of inches as they shrink as they dry.
Phil

You can also buy rawhide at your local Tandy Leather store or online.

Instead of stitching, you can also simply use nails, and clench them back over. I have used this method for sparring shields for years with no problems. Here is another thread discussing how to do this (with pics!).

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=18074

Thanks Philip! I'll be trying that this afternoon.