Hardened leather buckler

[Fearghus Macildubh]

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lescot87/ ... CBR2HfVPN9
Pics of a buckler I made out of 11oz veg tan. I soaked the leather for the boss in water overnight, then put it between two bowls with a weight on top for 3 days. Then I dried it in a 150 degree oven for 4 hours. The boss is as hard as wood.
My orginal plan was to rivet the hardened disk to the boss, but I miscalculated on the size of leather I'd need to have a rivetable surface. Instead I laced it on with wet leather lacing and dried the whole thing in the oven once again. I painted it, let it dry for a bit.
The handles are clothesline. I tried doing a centercrip out of leather, but even hardened, it pivoted too much. The padding is faux wool.
Slainte,
Fearghus

[Gaston de Clermont]

Neat! How much does it weigh? What kind of paint did you use?

[Fearghus Macildubh]

I'd say it weighs around 12 oz or so. The paint is some type of German paint/stain that I picked up at the local German hardware store.