Jeff, at 6'6" you might really like round shields - as it's been said, you could be using those long arms to punch out and give yourself quite a large cone of defense and keep your enemies at a serious range disadvantage. It's tiring, but gee whiz... that's a lot of distance, use it says I.

I'd love to see your square shield, BTW.

I tried the round at a fight practice and I may get one of my own but I found that the strain on my wrist got rather painful after a while. The square I use is lighter and just as proterctive and lighter. It works wonders against lefties, two stick fighters and pole arms.

We generaly use or large heater/late kite shields "closed", held in tight by the body, and do the head defence with the weapon (when fighting with helmet hits...) Opening up to much can be an invitation to be rushed.
Even more so in RL, where you could just walk straight into people and push them over, or punch them in the face with the shield edge.
In skirmish closed style is of course the only way to fly, lest you be sniped spears, polearms and other people you never saw coming. ;)

Dear Alexander,

When we do what the duelling shield sections of German Fechtbucher and the rotella sections of Italian treatises tell us to, we spend most of our time with our shields engaged, trying to manoeuvre for position, pressing and hooking at the opponent's shield as we move circularly. We only make attacks with the sword or spear when there's an opening. Making an attack at any other time is suicidal. Bizarrely the fight is reminiscent of Spanish rapier fencing with it's circling and jockeying for position. That's not a similarity I was expecting to see when I started studying these texts.

Cheers
Stephen

A few of the kind of shields I like:

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I have a liking for some of the BA shields, too, and have a grudging admiration for the Roman scutum--i like the Republican scuta best tho. *G* yep said that out loud Matt!

As far as "active" use of the shield, I know there are several Roman-era carvings which appear to show a fairly "active" use of the shield by barbarians. Of course, in the carvings, the barbarians are generally being slaughtered, so take that for what you will! ;)


*photos courtesy of and copyright Shane Allee www.ironagearmoury.com

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My favorite shields are probably the transitional ones between the kite and the heater - very long, deeply curved. I haven't made one yet, but I will eventually.

Highland targe. steel edge, center spike. It can stop a musket ball, bayonet, keep yur arm from shattering when a horse steps on you, and even is good for bashing-plus, the point puts the feller at the right distance to get yur blade in his guts (or yur pistol in his face)

I've found myself liking bucklers more and more of late. They're small, manueverable, and their metal construction gives them that extra bit of durability. However, I also really like Kite shields, the classic shield of the medieval warrior.

I like bucklers or round shields. Both small(12") and up to 20". I've been looking more and more at Italian pavisari and Spanish adarga type shields. There seems to be less of a tradition of the kite/ heater shield development in these regions of Europe. Most likely because of close connections with Islamic and Byzantine cultures.

Earlier shields, Caetra bucklers, Germanic/Scandinavian round shields. Also Celtic oval shields.

I'm a small guy @ around 5'4 140lbs. For me, a good 12" buckler or a smaller round top kite is perfect. I obviously don't have the ability to beat most normal to tall sized males in a pushing war. I have to move and make people come at me until they make a mistake or overextend that one time causing an opening. Thus, I love the smaller shields for their speed and agility. Bucklers are especially nice for their ability to strap easily with the sword on a belt and thus always be comfortably with someone. Add all that together and I have no trouble seeing why the buckler was the most popular defensive object of the middle ages.

Pic is what I mean by smaller round top kite.

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Well mine is of course the Viking Shield!

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I have one of Allan Senefelders Kite shields and I was wondering about the construction of it: The Mercenary Tailor's site mentions 1/2" poplar as the shield's wooden core. I was wondering if the shield was made up of planks and how they were joined and curved. I was assuming that this shields was made of some sort of planking because a piece of poplar this wide would have to come from a VERY BIG tree and there is no mention of how it's put together.

Now to my " pleasant " surprise here is how these are put together: Quoting Allan's E-Mail to me " The curved shields are made from four layers of 1/8" thick poplar plywood that we glue together and put in a press to give the curvature. "

Here is a review by Patrick Kelly from the Collections section of this site: http://www.myArmoury.com/pat_othr_mt_kitesh.html?7

I have mentioned to Allan in a return E-Mail that he should change the description of this shield on his site to explain that the poplar is made up of layers in a plywood type construction as this is a very desirable feature as it should make for much superior strength and resistance to damage i.e. splitting or piercing. As using shields that can survive longterm use this is good to know.

This IS a shameless plug for Allan as he has always been one of the best vendors I have dealt with. ;)
http://www.merctailor.com/catalog/product_inf...ucts_id=87

I've always used a simple round shield. I find it light weight and granting just enough protection. I tried the roman style of virtual portable pallisade, but I didn't like getting it stomped/kicked all the time. I made my first round back in 6th grade in shop class. I told the teacher I would put the "legs" on my "table" when I got home. ;) I've tried bucklers, targets, adn the afore mentioned body shield, but after buying MRL steel shield, I'm still contecnt with the round. The only thing I dislike is the required closness for a shield punch with the round. I still feel awkward that close.

Here are the two I have, one truly copper, the other a painted MRL steel shield. (my old shop project, though it survived stopping arrows, axes, .22LR, and many other barrages) is tucked in my closet due to is sad state over the years. :D

I also prefer the round shield. Im not quite sure why, it just feels right. Oval celtic shields are also very nice. I think I'm just attracted to those shields because of my fascination with vikings and celts.

Alex,
Thats a nice looking collection you have there. May I ask where you got your copper shield, it looks very nice.

-James

Did I say 'targets', I ment 'kites'. :confused:
Thanks, the smaller copper shield was a DIY project. Copper ikebana arrangment base+ elbow grease. ;)