shields

[Livia Tasia]

I did a search on shields here on AA and had a question:

What style of shield do you prefer and specificaly why? (round/heater/etc.)

And if you have a picture of your shield.

I'm thinking of making a round one that I can strap onto my forearm as my grip isn't strong enough (right now) for the center grip I use on my long oval shield.

I've received some advice on my local Kingdom list on how to make a round shield but wanted to expand the question to the great fighters on this list and find out what style you like to use.

Livia
An Tir

[Morgan]

I personally believe that strapped round, while certainly a do-able style, is about the weakest of the shield forms. You have none of the advantages of the center boss round and none of the corner advantages of a heater or kite.

I'm not saying you can't be good with one. I know Duke Paul is good with one. Ansteorra has Duke Ulsted who's pretty decent with one, but he didn't win his crowns with it. I'm SURE there are other examples. My point is, generally, it's the least advantageous of the shield styles on average for most fighters.

Just my opinion.

[Livia Tasia]

Thanks Morgan,

So I'm better to keep working on my forearm strength for the center grip? What do you think of the round shield in general?

Livia

[audax]

I tend to agree with Morgan, but I kind of hate sheilds in general, so I'm biased. I've moved to a center grip heater when I use a sheild at all.

My advice, for what it's worth: continue to develop your grip strength, you'll need it no matter what. In addition, if you use a strapped sheild, whether round or heater shaped, the strain will be focused on your shoulder girdle, rather than wrist so you'll wind up needing to develop strength in that region. Really, you can't get away from the need to develop strength to play this game. Maybe make a smaller center grip sheild for the time being, then move to a larger sheild as your strength develops.

Regards,

audax

[Livia Tasia]

Thanks - I hadn't thought of the shoulder issues.

So, you don't use a shield at all?? How long have you fought that way? There are a couple of guys here that use madu (may have spelled that wrong).

I find they are really hard to fight against.

Livia

[audax]

Thanks - I hadn't thought of the shoulder issues.

So, you don't use a shield at all?? How long have you fought that way? There are a couple of guys here that use madu (may have spelled that wrong).

I find they are really hard to fight against.

Livia

I'm all about the poleaxe, meself. I have a dagger as a secondary weapon, use the haft of the axe to block and I find it quite exhilirating. I have a shoulder impingement in my left shoulder from playing full contact football and chronic tendinitis in my right elbow from throwing bad-form wrap shots. I also like greatsword. I do fight sword and sheild on occasion, but I don't focus on it in favor of polearm.

Okay, I admit it, I just gotta be different.

audax

[Oswyn_de_Wulferton]

Quick Strapping Secret: Have a friend hold the shield in your "ready" spot. Position your hand so it is comfortable (I use a heater, and it moved from in the corner to about 1am off center). Then mount your hand protection/grip. Make sure it is natural, and in line for that point (aka, hand should be able to support the shield semi-easily). Draw two lines where your arm is, and then run an arm strap over it. Makes your shield line up in a ready spot when you relax. For me, with a heater, it is almost straight up and down, and really helps to support the weight (It is 1/2" plywood that is around 2ftx3'8"). I would also look and see what types work with your persona, as well as trying out other shapes by borrowing shields. I personally hate fighting against centergrip round/oval, but that is because the good fighters around here can almost make it ambidexerous by moving it back and forth.

[Livia Tasia]

I've watched videos online and it amazes me how anyone can ever get in close enough to kill you guys. I haven't seen it in person here in An Tir, but I'm sure there must be some people that do it.

So what is the trick to getting past the pole? If you don't mind sharing?!!

Are you allowed to use pole in your Crown tourneys? Sounds like fun!

Tasia

[MalcolmdeMoffat]

Duh!!!
double post!!

[MalcolmdeMoffat]

around 2ftx3'8"

Oswyn OH MY GOD!!! how do you fight around your Pavaise?
I have a standard 24"x36" heater I find it better for defending in a shield wall or bridge battle than my smaller centergrip round. I have a Sir Vitus 19"x31" heater that I have plans to strap historicly (at least in my mind it's historical).
If you're going to be at Pennsic look up my Liege Sir Bryce I will be fighting in his Mezinee.

[Christophe de Frisselle]

I did a search on shields here on AA and had a question:

What style of shield do you prefer and specificaly why? (round/heater/etc.)

Teardrop Kite. My persona is Norman and it was a very common shield for them to use in the 11th & 12th centuries.

And if you have a picture of your shield.

See the Show Us Your Shield topic.

[Livia Tasia]

Perfect! thanks - I didn't look far enough back on the topics the search generated.

Livia

[audax]

I've watched videos online and it amazes me how anyone can ever get in close enough to kill you guys. I haven't seen it in person here in An Tir, but I'm sure there must be some people that do it.

So what is the trick to getting past the pole? If you don't mind sharing?!!

Are you allowed to use pole in your Crown tourneys? Sounds like fun!

Tasia

Well, just as there are different ways to fight S+S, there are different ways to fight polearm. Keeping distance isn't the only way, I like to get close to fight even with my poleaxe. If the polearmsman you are fighting like to stay at range, try charging and getting close, try for a leg wrap. Also alot of it depends upon the strength and speed of the combatants. Come to the Dark side; try polearm.

We can fight pole in our Crown tourneys, although by convention it would seem most fight S+S. I am not ready for a crown tourney just yet. but when I am I'll definitely use my polearm unlees we do matched weapons and it's all S+S guys.

I do enjoy centergrip heater alot though, when I do sword and sheild.

audax

[Oswyn_de_Wulferton]

around 2ftx3'8"

Oswyn OH MY GOD!!! how do you fight around your Pavaise?
I have a standard 24"x36" heater I find it better for defending in a shield wall or bridge battle than my smaller centergrip round. I have a Sir Vitus 19"x31" heater that I have plans to strap historicly (at least in my mind it's historical).
If you're going to be at Pennsic look up my Liege Sir Bryce I will be fighting in his Mezinee.

I am a really tall guy (6'5"), so it covers me from about chin to knee. I am also a Crusader persona, so it is pretty accurate for my timeperiod. It is more of a proto-heater/flat topped kite, as I am between Bayeaux Tapestry and the Mac Bible (where you see lots of normal kites to smaller heaters, so there had to be a transition/experimentation with stuff). I actually dont have too much of a problem, the main thing is that I have trouble with is starting with an offside shot. I am contemplating about building a true War-shield, that will be about 5-6 ft long (one that covers from my nose to the ground). The nice part is that it fits decently height-wise with a scutum line when it is grounded (and if they leg me through the holes, big deal. I am already on my legs).

[Krieghund]

Tourney: 22" mild steel buckler. (It's forcing me to be more offensive rather than passively defensive). I am to a point where I'll use this against many forms, but there are a few forms that some people have taught me (thanks Sir Tacius!) that I am statistically going to lose against every time.

War: Standard Atlantian Issue (TM) 24"X36" heater. Strapped to hang "just so" as so many have already mentioned.