The Armour Archive

Last weekend I made a shield following instructions found on a couple web sites. The instructions said that a 1 1/4 inch edging was required and I did that using the suggested heater hose laced to the edge of the plywood blank I made.

Last night at fighter practice, the local knights marshall informed me that it was nice but not required any longer. I didn't get to go into details with him but he did say that all that is required now is that the edge be sword friendly. The midrealm marshalls handbook says that shield edges should have no sharp edges and that 90 degrees was considered a sharp edge in this case.

So, what are the current requirements, and more importantly, what edging options are best now? Not using that heater hose could save a fair amount of weight. Too bad I've already sealed it in a full wrap of canvas glued onto the shield and over the hose edges.

--Richard

There is no longer an Edging requirment in the mid...
The guys around here have been using a sander to round the edges and then using rawhide to cover the shield edges

So would the rawhide be wet and shapped to fit just the edges? How would it be attached to the wood? Glued?

Does anyone have a set of instructions for making a shield under the new rules?

I'd hate to start over but I wasn't real happy with the paint I used and the weight of the shield as it turned out.

I am assuming that aluminum shields must still be edged. I edge mine with automotive trim. That rubber stuff that you can squeeze onto an edge of a door. Works great and comes from mcMaster Carr for like 29cents a foot.

what do you guys use on aluminum shields?

If you are particularly good working in leather, you don't need anything to attach rawhide.

It expands when wet, place it correctly, and it'll be like shrink-wrap on your shield.

However, if you have rawhide with inconsistencies, or don't fit it just right when wet, you might need some ties. Lots of people I know use those plastic ties.. you know the things with an eye at one end and a kind of ratchet to catch the other end as it goes through the eye (sorry I can't describe it better).

I use maxi-cord.

I use air hose on aluminum shields.

Edwin, those are called "cable ties." Electronics-industry thing.

I've done two shields with rawhide edging (not for SCA use). I used carpet tacks to hold them on.

http://saverio4444.tripod.com/roundsh.html
http://saverio4444.tripod.com/buckler2.html
It's surprisingly durable.


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Saverio
http://saverio4444.tripod.com/

Saverio,

Nice looking shields. Thanks for the pictures.

Where did you get your rawhide? I've heard of people soaking and taking apart dog chews. Is there another easier source for rawhide?

I think my next shield will be done with the rawhide edge and then I'll canvas the whole thing to hide the tacks.

Thanks,
--Richard

I use soaker hose. Makes it look like roughed up black leather.

Will...I'm curious how long the edging you use on aluminium lasts. It doesn't last long for me. I wonder if we get different stuff.

I got my rawhide from dog chews, though I'm picky when buying them. I take a look at the edge and try to find those in the best condition.


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Saverio
http://saverio4444.tripod.com/

Whoohooo,
I'm not the only one who uses soaker hose....cool. I've gotten some odd looks from folks when I tell 'em what it is.