Shield curvature

Madyn · Post by **Madyn** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 9:21 am

Back with more questions:

I'm currently using a center grip heater, and if it was curved at one point isn't any longer. (It's borrowed, so I'm not sure what it originally looked like). I'd like to build another one so I can return the first and was wondering what people thought of curving. Specifically: I know a lot of people prefer curved heaters when they are strapped, but what about center-grip?

I realize I'll probably get a lot of "try everything and pick what works for you" reponses, and while that is great advice, most of the other fighters in my area that use heaters have them strapped, so I don't have a whole lot to experiment with.

As I said, the shield I currently use has little/no curve, and I like it, so I'll probably go with that, but I was hoping to get some input first. What do you prefer, and why?

A preemptive thanks. I appreciate the help people have give me so far--this seems to be a great forum.

Kilkenny · Post by **Kilkenny** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 9:44 am

Personally, I've never gone with curved heaters. In fact, only curved shield I ever used was a dished round.

I've seen curved heaters that looked really great, but introduced new gaps in defense. Of course, I've also seen curved heaters that worked very nicely indeed.

If you've been doing ok with the flat shield, I would recommend not changing the design. If you do it will take some adjusting to, as the curved shield won't be where you expect it to be.

note that I haven't even seen a center grip heater, as far as I am aware

Gavin

Gaston de Clermont · Post by **Gaston de Clermont** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 3:12 pm

I haven't seen many examples of center gripped heaters either, though I've got some images in a late 13th/early 14th century version of the book of Revalations showing several angels with them. They look pretty small- kind of buckler size, and they're flat.
In general, I see more of an advantage of a curved shield if you've got it really close to your body. One advantage of a center grip is that you can keep it out away from yourself. So a curved centergrip seems a bit mismatched from that perspective. Not that if couldn't work, it just seems a little counterintuitive.

Madyn · Post by **Madyn** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 3:23 pm

That's kind of what I was thinking, and I probably will stick with the flat (one, because that's what I first trained on, and two, it does seem more intuitive) but I thought it might be smart to solicit more input before cutting and shaping.

Does anyone know of an advantage to a curved center?

Asbjorn Johansen · Post by **Asbjorn Johansen** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 5:05 pm

Unless the curve is very deep, I donâ€™t think it makes a big difference in what we do (it might make a difference if we were using actual pointed weapons like lances, a curve might make the lance more likely to slip to the side).

What are you trying to portray? While less common then strapped heaters, the centergrip does appear in the iconography (I donâ€™t have references handy though, sorry). Iâ€™ve seen examples of both curved and flat, although, from memory, the flat seemed to be more common.

I use a lightly curved center grip heater, mainly because I find a curve more esthetically pleasing.

Once again sorry I donâ€™t have my references handy.

Asbjorn

Lothar the Wanderer · Post by **Lothar the Wanderer** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 5:48 pm

The two methods I have seen to curve it are both relatively simple.

If the shield is metal, I would put it over a log and either beat it into submission or use the tie down straps with ratches to tighten it down.

If it is wood, find yourself a work surface that you are unafraid to bang nails into. Start the shield with some 1/4" birch plywood. (Pine works, but birch holds up better) Do not cut the plywood to a shield shape, keep it larger. You will cut it down later. Put 4x4's or 2x4's depending on desired curvature under the shield on center. Tip the plywood to one side and hammer it into place, DON'T hammer it 'home' as that will damage the wood fibers. Go to the other side of the table and lean down on the plywood until the edge touches, and nail it into place. Now, Slather the plywood with wood glue, the good stuff. Put a slightly smaller piece of plywood on the bent piece and hammer down one side, then the other like you did with the first piece. Let these dry thoroughly. Pull nails, and then cut out the shield you want from your new-found curved piece of plywood.

Lothar

Morgan · Post by **Morgan** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 5:52 pm

If you're going to curve an aluminium shield, don't beat it into a curve. It's way better to take it to a sheet metal place and have a curve rolled into it.

Greenshield · Post by **Greenshield** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 10:11 am

I'm an avid user of the curved shield. Use a curved kite. I hihgly suggest them. Now a curved center grip heater is a bit odd, but to each his own.

If you want, I can forward you my DIY instructions for making a curved shield.

Camric

FrauHirsch · Post by **FrauHirsch** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 11:25 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Clermont:
I haven't seen many examples of center gripped heaters either, though I've got some images in a late 13th/early 14th century version of the book of Revalations showing several angels with them. They look pretty small- kind of buckler size, and they're flat.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There are actually quite a few 15th c examples if you look for them. My husband, Sir Arion, is using one and loves it. He made it only after seeing several pictures of them. The were fairly large heaters with a center boss so he made his to the same scale.

I believe there were at least two pictures in a book called "The War of the Roses" that someone left at our house (but took back). I can't recall the author.

He found some others, but I wasn't paying attention...

Juliana

Sebastian K · Post by **Sebastian K** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 4:07 pm

Loed William from Drachenwald has written an excellent article on shiel building and curving, so good that I have given up my own idea of writing one. Its right here on the Archive at:

http://home.armourarchive.org/members/llanwarn/Shield_Construction.pdf

Bets of luck

Sebastian

Morgan · Post by **Morgan** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 6:13 pm

I have a center grip heater that has a slight curve in it. It's aluminium. I think the slight curve keeps the edges from getting warped by sword shots. Just an opinion.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by greenshield:
I'm an avid user of the curved shield. Use a curved kite. I hihgly suggest them. Now a curved center grip heater is a bit odd, but to each his own.

If you want, I can forward you my DIY instructions for making a curved shield.

Camric<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Willing Pell · Post by **Willing Pell** » Sun Jul 06, 2003 2:25 pm

If you have a 24 inch wide shield, how much curvature should it have? Or, laying it on the floor before you edge it, how much higher in the center should it be?

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The artisan formerly known as Willing Pell, then Juan Santell and then Willing Pell again. Hey, Prince could do it, why not me?