Center AND side-strapped shield? (SCA)

Lucian Ro · Post by **Lucian Ro** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:17 am

I was just curious if anyone has made a shield with center grip and for side-strapping to your arm?

I had wrist problems a few months back when I first started using a center-grip shield and probably could have fought longer in one of my household tournies if I'd switched out to a strapped shield, but didn't have one in my possession, so it got me to thinking had anyone ever strapped one both ways?
Yes, I realize you fight with a diiferent style with both shields but I was simply curious. I could see where maybe in a melee with a shield wall a side-strapped shield might be better for the press but then switching to the center-grip when things thinned out a bit.

Just an idea I was playing around with in me noggin'.

Bernhart von Bruck · Post by **Bernhart von Bruck** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:09 am

Chello!

I have a "viking" round that 's strapped. I hadn't thought about using it as a center grip until our knight marshal showed me the advantages. So, now I'm trying it out both ways.

So, no, I don't think your idea is a bad one.

Tony

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:10 am

A shield basket would drastically change the balance of a centergrip.

Bernhart von Bruck · Post by **Bernhart von Bruck** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:12 am

Chello again!

Hmmm...I hadn't thought of that Oswyn. But I never put baskets on my shields. I always wear full gaunts.

Tonuy

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:44 am

Actually my post was in response to the OP, not directly at you (which is why it was so short). I think that the other problem is making a handle which lies flush against the shield, so it doesnt interfere with your arm.

Bernhart von Bruck · Post by **Bernhart von Bruck** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:53 am

Chello!

I don't really have that problem:

[img]http://www.geocities.com/lord_kjeran/shield.jpg[/img]

Now, if you strap it like a kite or heather, yep, handle could be a problem. the kewl thing about this round though is that when I fight lefties, I just turn it over and switch hands.

Tony

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:00 am

How are you stopping the shield from sagging in your hand? Aka. where is the elbow strap, or other reinforcement. Or is is simply held vertical?

Bernhart von Bruck · Post by **Bernhart von Bruck** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:09 am

Chello again!

The brown strap is my arm/elbow strap...arm slides in, hold it by the handle inthe middle.

Now, if Lucian has a centergrip heather, I can see all kinds of problems. But this works well with my round.

Benedek · Post by **Benedek** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:36 am

If you use a forearm/elbow strap, and a leather strap adjustable or fixed for the hand, the balance will not be thrown off much at all when using it strapped. And there are plenty of ingenious ways to "countersink" the center grip hanlde into the shiled boss so that it does not interfere with your arm while strapped. I currently fight with a side strapped round, and am planning on including a shield boss so I can switch back and forth.

Bleddyn De Caldicot · Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:28 pm

a guy in my canton has a center grip round which also has a heater style hand strap...i know he bought it off a local guy who makes all kinds of things.

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:08 pm

Gotcha. I was thinking that the strap was for your hand, not elbow. Either that thing is huge, or your forearm is tiny...