Edging a wooden shield

Sigtyr · Post by **Sigtyr** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:25 pm

Greetings,

I'm going to start using a wooden shield for the first time and am not entirely sure about edging. Does anyone have any documentation or tips on edging a wooden shield? Pictures always rock!

Many thanks,
Sigtyr

Ursor · Post by **Ursor** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:45 pm

I've found a great article on making a round center hung. It's pretty dang good. Unfortunately I don't seem to have it on my work computer. I'll post it when I get home. Though, I'm sure someone on here will have answered it for you.

They guy in the article used leather that he had soaked in water and affixed it with what looked to be carpet tacks or hob nails. some folks use rawhide. Or both.

Like I said, I'm sure someone will answer you on this, but I'll post the link anyways when I get home or if my searchfu is dialed in today I'll get it put up today while at work..

best of luck.

Ursor · Post by **Ursor** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:49 pm

heh.. found it. There are links to how he makes blanks as well as how he made his handle(which I don't care for and will go a more accurate on myself).

http://member.melbpc.org.au/~kja/shield.html

Malcolm MacLachlan · Post by **Malcolm MacLachlan** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:20 pm

I use 3-4 layers of wood glue soaked canvas with a layer of rawhide stitched over that. I get some good life out of a shield.

Sigtyr · Post by **Sigtyr** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:00 pm

I'm slightly confused on the stitching part. Are you drilling holes and stitching it around the edge through the holes?

Regards

Malcolm MacLachlan · Post by **Malcolm MacLachlan** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:14 pm

Exactly. I used artificial sinew. PM me if you want detailed instructions.

Morejello · Post by **Morejello** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:30 pm

Sir Bartholomew Hightower uses a method real similar to what Sir Malcom shows here.
His tutorial (the edging part is down a bit) is here: http://www.hightowercrossbows.com/shieldhowto.htm

I've used this exact same method for years, and it works well. An additional advantage is that the rawhide can be re-used when the shield finally gives up.

Sigtyr · Post by **Sigtyr** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:45 pm

Thank you all

Halbrust · Post by **Halbrust** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:52 pm

Do you HAVE to edge a wooden shield?

Would a 3/4" radius of wood be legal with no other covering? What if it was hardened with epoxy, does that change the answer?

I'm pretty sure al the above is legal, but I'd love to hear if you have a different opinion.

-Halbrust

Konstantin the Red · Post by **Konstantin the Red** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 8:34 pm

Halbrust wrote:Do you HAVE to edge a wooden shield?

If you like happy rattan players willing to come out on the field and take you on, install something with a bit of give about your edges. At minimum across the top and the upper halves of the sides. Spares the other chaps' rattan.

Rawhide-over-rope, the rawhide glued and sewn down, is low-profile and lightweight.

If you're going up against sharps, there is less call for a resilient edge, as you'd kinda like to get the other guy's blade to stick in your shield for a moment so you can hack his arm off at the elbow. After that his contribution to the other side's war effort is pretty much limited to making faces at you, and remarks upon your family tree, until he passes out.

hjalmr · Post by **hjalmr** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:30 pm

Rawhide edging is the way to go -the stuffs nigh invulnerable. I rivited all of my shields so far (almost a dozen), but i believe I will be stitching my next shield.

(^_^)

Corby de la Flamme · Post by **Corby de la Flamme** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:52 pm

In any case, good for you for abandoning cHeaters!

The sound of those bare aluminum shields getting hit always reminds me of drunks throwing trash cans at each other in an alley.

By the way, my shield is 7/8th thick, rounded, fiberglassed & covered with canvas. I'm pretty sure it takes less out of a sword than going edge-on into a 1/16th" piece of aluminum covered with car door edging.

Ursor · Post by **Ursor** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:54 pm

I am glad this came up as I will be starting to make my first shield this weekend(funds jpermiting) or the next(payday.. heh). more info the better.....

Marius Brittanicus · Post by **Marius Brittanicus** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:23 pm

Who is the cheapest supplier of rawhide?
Thaks

Malek · Post by **Malek** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 2:23 am

http://www.mcmaster.com/#trim-molding/=b3ht16

Lots of choices and sizes that may work well for you, especially if it's canvassed first.

For those trims, I would suggest putting them on either the bare shield or once it's been canvassed. Then stretch your rawhide over it and you should be good to go.

eidelon · Post by **eidelon** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:23 pm

Marius Brittanicus wrote:Who is the cheapest supplier of rawhide?
Thaks

if you were willing to edge it like this

you could buy the large bag of rolled rawhide chews at sams club for 15 bucks should be more than enough

Rasper77 · Post by **Rasper77** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:13 pm

eidelon wrote:
Marius Brittanicus wrote:Who is the cheapest supplier of rawhide?
Thaks

if you were willing to edge it like this

you could buy the large bag of rolled rawhide chews at sams club for 15 bucks should be more than enough

Well that one is a Single piece all the way around with the tabs added over.

Greenshield · Post by **Greenshield** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:34 am

Check out page two in the How To below. I get my raw hide from Tandy. A sheet runs me about $25 and is enough to usually do 3 kite shields.

GreenShield