Plastic shields in Meridies

Rainald · Post by **Rainald** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 11:07 pm

I have been looking at the weapons and armour requirements trying to get ready for my impending move. I have a couple of questions if anyone can help.

Why were plastic shields forbidden?
-safety?
-unfair sport advantage?
-looks like crap?

Can I have a buttspike on my 6' polearm? It is modeled on an italian bill with a thrusting tip, front blade and back spike.

Tom Knighton · Post by **Tom Knighton** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 11:16 pm

Buttspikes ARE ok on 6 foot polearms.

Dunno why on the plastic shields though

Bran

Rev. George · Post by **Rev. George** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 11:17 pm

Percieved advantage over wood. Of course, that is not real valid, as plastic shileds are often closer to real shield weights, unlike SCA wood shields that have 10-15 lbs of metal bolted to them.

I cant really complain about it, because i can see how crappy they would look, I mean Conal banned uncovered alum shields, but i still saw some at fools war.

-+G

Brodir · Post by **Brodir** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 11:49 pm

Plastic shields are fairly popular locally, they are no lighter than wood, probably heavier. People use them for durability, not lightness. Everyone covers them in canvas and paints the canvas with their arms or baronial populace badge. I have no real problem with a plastic shield, even though I don't use one.

~Wil

olaf haraldson · Post by **olaf haraldson** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 7:18 am

I had one, and I absolutely hated it... it was too light, and just felt wierd when it got hit... and, it looked like crap. I'm sure they could be made to look OK... but then, alot of people can't seem to take the effort to paint or cover aluminum signs.

Marvin · Post by **Marvin** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 9:04 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
Why were plastic shields forbidden?
-safety?
-unfair sport advantage?
-looks like crap?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes.

It was so long ago that I don't think anyone around here knows the real reason...

I remember sitting around fighter practice along about A.S. 19 or so looking at the brand new "Meridian Marshall's Handbook" (a heretofor mythical beast) when we discovered that plastic sheilds were banned (at the same time with reinforced "grandfathered" freon can helms, I believe).

The general consensus was "Who the hell would want a plastic shield? That's silly."

Times change. People change. But plastic shields still look silly.

Now, don't you dare take away my aluminum...

>Edited because Marvin can neither spell nor use UBB code today<

[This message has been edited by Marvin (edited 06-13-2002).]

Fafrnugn · Post by **Fafrnugn** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 9:27 am

Banning plastic shields may just be a step to move the Society towards a more authentic medieval model. Part of that inconvenient "researching and re-creating pre-17th-century European history" that keeps popping up.

hjalmr · Post by **hjalmr** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 11:37 am

When I was down in Meridies I was told that they were banned because they gave the wielder an undo advantage. Now I explained that my plastic shield was wieghted as per middle kingdom rules to be the same wieght as a similar styled wooden shield, and I also had a canvas shield cover. But I couldn't use it!

I liked the plastic shield because it was indestructable and I didn't have to replace it every other month because some Tuchuk decided to slam his greatsword on my head by going THROUGH the shield. It was also rain proof so I could just leave it in the back of my truck.

(^_^)

Murdock · Post by **Murdock** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 6:01 pm

Plastic armor
plastic swords
plastic BAsekt HILTS
now!
PLASTIC SHIELDS!?!?!?!?

...and then murdoch's head exploded

Rev. George · Post by **Rev. George** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 6:50 pm

These dont look so bad...

[img]http://www.lyos.net/riverforge/tn_a_heater1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.lyos.net/riverforge/tn_a_heater_inside.jpg[/img]

-+G

Tom Knighton · Post by **Tom Knighton** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 6:51 pm

Talk about Plastic Paladins huh Murdoch??

Actually it's be listed as an illegal material in the Meridian Marshal's Handbook for quite some time. Luckily, I've never seen one so I can't comment on them other than that the idea is just plain WIERD!!!

Bran

Brodir · Post by **Brodir** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 8:43 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Murdock:
Plastic armor
plastic swords
plastic BAsekt HILTS
now!
PLASTIC SHIELDS!?!?!?!?

...and then murdoch's head exploded

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

But the pieces of Murdoch's head flew through the air really slowly, because you can't move fast enough to be competitive in all that steel crap

Marvin · Post by **Marvin** » Sun Jun 16, 2002 6:15 pm

Okay, okay Rev., that doesn't look as bad as my aluminum shield that I had to tape the edging back on this weekend.

But with a plastic shield you don't get all those cool dents or cracks that you get with aluminum or wood. They also invalidate Rule #1 for the New Spearman. To wit:

"Always line up behind the guy with the crappiest-looking, most beat-up shield on the field. Chances are, he'll be out there till the bitter end."

With tounge firmly in cheek...

Marvin
Still beating dents out after this weekend.

freiman the minstrel · Mon Jun 17, 2002 3:37 am

There's a plastic sheild that fought in the Grey Niche for many years. it was obviously plastic, and nobody complained.

I think you will find no problem using a plastic sheild.

hjalmr · Post by **hjalmr** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 10:42 am

I was in Grey Niche for a year and a half and they always complained when I used it -it was just not allowed. As a matter of fact it was a Grey Niche event that wouldn't let me use itwhen I first moved down there -and I was a local fighter!

(^_^)

[This message has been edited by hjalmr (edited 06-17-2002).]

Trystan von Adler · Post by **Trystan von Adler** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 11:47 am

Aluminum Banned?
Okay, that's new to me. I just moved into Meridies and own a alum. shield. It is T-100 and full sized. I bought it a few years ago from Icefalcon Armory and used in in the Outlands as well as the East Kingdom. I don't have money to be wasting on a new shield. SO can I use it or do I sell all my gear and find a new hobby? Sorry to rant, but I am currently in Afghanistan and was looking forward to fighting when I got home.

[This message has been edited by Trystan von Adler (edited 06-17-2002).]

Rev. George · Post by **Rev. George** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 1:40 pm

if you are going to use an aluminum shield, both sideds must be covered. that's all. so get some spray adhesive, and lay down a canvas covering, and you are good to go. If you want to be fancy, paint your device onto the front of it.

-+G

freiman the minstrel · Tue Jun 18, 2002 6:20 am

Hjalmr,

The sheild in question was owned by Vladimir Zhashitovski (my spelling) and was an ugly white plastic thing. Vlad's mundane name was Tommy, and he had just moved back to Senatobia, Mississippi from the Middle (I think).

It was in the early ninties, while I was KM of Hammerhold, (about an hour south of Memphis). I had thought that the sheild looked really tacky. Tommy never tried to bring it to me for inspection, so I was not in a position to fail it.

I would have failed it on the "expressly forbidden" seciton on sheild. Please understand, at the time I would not have had a problem with the non-period materials.

I would now.

You folks have ruined me. Now I need entirely new armor, and I have no idea how I am going to get/make/buy it.

Anybody wanna swap for a "like new" saxon lyre?

Brennan · Post by **Brennan** » Tue Jun 18, 2002 12:06 pm

Freiman, I never knew you were a Saxon!

hjalmr · Post by **hjalmr** » Wed Jun 19, 2002 12:40 pm

freiman the minstrel

First let me say that I was not nitpicking at your post, I just wanted people to know my story. I moved to Memphis in 96 and I had a 50 gallon plastic shield with a canvas cover. The shield was 24" x 26" and I took a lot of slack from using it. This could be because I was doing rather well at the time and people had a hard time beating me. The constantly would make remarks like "lets see how well you do when you get a real shield." The first tourney I went to was only a month or so after I arrived in Memphis and they wouldn't let me use the plastic shield, even though I was still technically under middle kingdom rules.

Once I got a steel shield, the remarks disappeared and I became one of the guy's.

(^_^)

Prince Of Darkmoor · Post by **Prince Of Darkmoor** » Wed Jun 19, 2002 1:02 pm

Non-SCA response...

I used to prefer fighting with a plastic shield because of its weight and how easy it was to maneuver, but I wasn't happy with its lack of mass and it didn't deliver much of a punch when put upside someone's face. I felt like I was carrying a pillow.

I then went to a wooden round shield and loved how massive it was. It blocked shots and didn't get shoved back into me. It's like Duke Havoc (SCA) told me recently: "the shield has to outmass the weapon." I tried aluminum shields and found that they pack quite a punch when bashing but I still prefer a wooden shield overall.

------------------
If you can't be the best, be your best.
Salinas Swordsman
Darkmoor Armoury

Rainald · Post by **Rainald** » Wed Jun 19, 2002 6:35 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Prince Of Darkmoor:
... It's like Duke Havoc (SCA) told me recently: "the shield has to outmass the weapon." ...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You don't mean Duke Hauoc (hah-vek) do you? Just wondering since he fights with heater slightly larger than a dorita.

Prince Of Darkmoor · Post by **Prince Of Darkmoor** » Wed Jun 19, 2002 6:51 pm

Rainald, yup that's him. I actually got to handle that "dorito" one night at fighter practice. It's a *lot* heavier than it looks.

Rainald · Post by **Rainald** » Wed Jun 19, 2002 8:22 pm

Prince, next time you see him tell him the family says hi. And please ask him if anyone ever got any use out of the mini half gaunlets.

Rainald, his Tokyo tourguide

freiman the minstrel · Fri Jun 21, 2002 12:39 pm

"Freiman, I never knew you were a Saxon!"

Hey there! You better watch out!

Minstrels flip out and kill peo-

Oh wait, that's ninjas.

Minstrels flip out and play lyres at people all the time!

Sweet.

Brennan · Post by **Brennan** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 8:23 pm

I don't worry about minstrels... I worry about their wives.
"This tall... fangs like... eats...."

>wanna swap for a "like new" saxon lyre?
Speaking of, you hardly qualify as Like New.
*ducks*

Obligatory on topic comments:
I'm afraid banned plastic shields in Meridies is just an unquestionable, unchangeable law of nature. Like rattan being the One True Weapon. Siloflex? Never heard of it. We're lucky to get pultruded spears.

freiman the minstrel · Sat Jun 22, 2002 7:54 am

Thank You Brennan,

You made my Lady smile.

I owe you one.

f

hjalmr · Post by **hjalmr** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 10:11 am

Brennan:

Well when I move down there, I'll be sure to bring some siloflex swords with me....

(^_^)

Murdock · Post by **Murdock** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 5:27 pm

I hope plastic shield stay banned here forever.

Hope they bann those turd on a stick plastic hilts.
Ugly as a babbon's a$$.

And they flex too, espically when they get hot, hose clamps don't wanna hold either.

"But they come back when they flex" yeah but your hand doesn't.

Why? WHY? _WHY_!

hjalmr · Post by **hjalmr** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 5:57 pm

If we are lucky, they will someday ban all basket hilts -crossgaurds are much nicer and period.

(^_^)

Rev. George · Post by **Rev. George** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 6:00 pm

I've thought about it M.

I think that honestly, it is because we are from a polymer age society. plastic is common, and easy for most people to form. (esp as most thermoplastics require an oven and some hott mitts. )

Further, the PROPER polymer is often superior. Of course, we havent hired a Chemichal engineer, so we just play guess and choose for the proper polymer. that of course is chaeper than a CE, but it gives us a substandard product .

-+G