[Simon E.]

I lurk here mostly, but recently I've been wondering a bit about the construction of wicker shields as mentioned in the Poem of the Pell in this thread:

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

Does anyone know how they were made or what they were made of? Any notions as to their durability? The thread states that a "fanne" is a wicker practice shield and I'd like to make one but have no idea where to start!

[Gavin Kisebach]

try this link: http://www.larp.com/hoplite/BAarmor.html - about 3/4 of the way down the page he discusses a wicker shield he made, you might contact him for more info. Interesting page all around, in any case.

[Merv Cannon]

Hi Simon...... I actually have a folder in my Shields-file for these but when I checked there was only the one photo...still thats something I guess. I assume that they were made the same way that one makes baskets....you start with a center- point and the 'ribs', which you can see in the print, go out much like an umbrella. Then you weave the cane inbetween. I remember doing it in crafts when I was a kid at elementry school. The edge is usually finished off with a heavier cane ( or whatever your using) They are much like wooden 'waster' swords, which I have just finished making six of for our club. They are quite a good idea when you consider the option of paying $100 for a good buckler and then getting it all dinged up during training. Of course one doesnt have to pay that for a buckler but then there are some very nice ones around too.
I know that you could find out the basket weaving on-line or else it waould be the same procedure from a craft book. I think you sort of shape the thing as you go.....same as a basket. The illustrtation show them being used with a steel blade but I guess an opponent in training would'nt be chopping at you with a sharp blade or else it would last a very long time using wasters.
Cheers.